Exclusive interview with Stuart Ramsey is the co-owner and breeder of potential Everest contender 3YO filly Champagne Cuddles. Ramsey has .worn several hats in his lifetime, including one of an auctioneer and an abattoir owner. But his passion is horses. He owns and oversees the Turangga Farm (Turangga means ‘horse’ in Indonesian) in Scone's Segenhoe Valley, which he purchased in 2003. His son John has his own training and breaking-in business at the Scone Racecourse where he has built his own Stables.
Ramsey also owns a large tract of property (about 400,000 acres) in Windorah West Queensland, which is where this interview was recorded.
Ramsey is a firm believer in breeding top quality horses at Turangga Farm. Under his watchful eye, the Turangga has built up a quality broodmare band and with Ramsey’s analytical skills they were matched to the right type of sires. They take pride in producing the top quality yearlings sold each year at Magic Millions and Inglis’ sales
Q: Could you please tell us your history with Champagne Cuddles?
A: I bought Champagne Cuddles’ grandmother, Suggestive at the Magic Millions sale several years ago. From her we bred Champagne Cuddles’ mother, Sky Cuddles, who is from the sire Al Harib. (After retiring from a successful racing career which included several black type races, Gr.1 winner Sky Cuddles became a multiple black type producer.) Champagne Cuddles is owned by our family company Ramsey Pastoral Company and leased to 16 women Including my wife, mother and daughters along with some friends.
Q: Has she gone back into training for The Everest? What are your racing plans for her before and after The Everest?
A: She away (resting) for a short spell and will go back into training immediately after. We will decide which races she will be entered in once she is back and depending on how she is progressing we will take a decision Later this year, the plan is for her to race in the Everest as well as some of the Group One 1200 meter races in the Melbourne Spring Carnival. Racing in Australia is really lucrative however there aren't enough good quality such races, which is why we focus on breeding only top quality horses.
Q: What kind of a horse is Champagne Cuddles? And as her owner and perhaps as a person who enjoys watching top class horses race, which race would you say was her best one so far?
A: She is a very balanced horse with great shoulders. She is great a very very well put together filly. I think the 1200 meters is her best distanceand the Gr.1 Gold Coast Guineas was her best race till date. (Her Everest run is likely to trump that feels the editor)
Q: What kind of a personality does he have?
A: Champagne Cuddles has a great personality and she is very friendly. Infact we have a picture of my granddaughter riding the filly.
Q: Tell us more about your history with Champagne Cuddles? Who are your other stable stars?
A: I bred Champagne Cuddles and also raced and Bred her Mother who won a G1 and raced her Grandmother.We have bred and raced several G1 winners including world champion miler Able Friend. Our family company also has a small share in Merchant Navy, (the Australian bred horse who won the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot this year.)
Q: Given the fact that you have a share in the newly minted stallion and Royal Ascot’s Diamond Jubilee Stakes’ winner, Merchant Navy, do you have any fillies lined up to be bred to him this season?
I am likely to breed my fillies to Merchant Navy but I haven’t done my analysis yet to plan this breeding.
Q: Tell us about your family?
A: We had 7 Children and Have 10 Grandchildren at this point.
Published In EverestDiaries Issue 2, Vol 2
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Credit: Pallavi Shevade pallavi.shevade@secretariatsworld.com