Long before Garry Woods went on college to study Bloodstock management, he had already developed most of the traits of a bloodstock genius. Early in his life, Garry developed a benevolent bond with Mtoto, a stallion at Aston Upthorpe Stud, and that bond gave way to his life long interest and passion in bloodstock. Working on his newfound love for bloodstock he starting training in the tricks of the trade by assisting his father. It is undeniable that Garry had earned the worldwide recognition that he enjoys as being one of the best, and boy, does he know how to put that to the best use possible.
Empire International Bloodstock or EI Bloodstock are consultants to an international list of clients. The motive is simple, to assist their clientele with customised solutions to individual clients. This job takes Garry around the globe for all sorts of things, whether it is attending the sales globally to scout top quality horses or to source the horses that are still in training. Led by Garry, EI bloodstock has emerged as one of the biggest buyers of horses in the business. This year too they are expected to do just that at CTS Ready 2 Run. We had the fortune of having worked with him regarding his expectations from this year and their plans.
Q: Last year you purchased many high-quality horses at the CTS sales, where are they now? Are there any successes you would like to highlight?
A: We purchased 8 in total from CTS all of which are now trained in Johannesburg. 2 of them have gone on to win, Lot 112 now called Dublin Quays who was our final purchase on the night won first time out as a 2YO and has some nice targets ahead as a 3yo. Lot 106 now called Perfectly Putt won at Greyville as a 3yo, they are backed up by solid performers such as Tunneoflove (Lot 83) and our most recent runner Lot 92 now called Travelin Man who made a highly encouraging debut last Thursday at Vaal.
Q: What are your plans for the CTS sales this year? Once you plan to attend a sale (with the intent to buy) how you plan after the catalogue has been published? Do you have any favourite sire-lines?
A: We have specific orders for international clients but that has been tempered slightly in recent weeks with the ongoing problems with the exportation protocols out of South Africa. However, we will be in Cape Town this week regardless always hoping that the situation can be resolved and the door finally opens.
As for approaching a catalogue, my approach is simple to analyse the catalogue individually and then again as a group with my team, we then compile our joint list of selections. I personally look for sires who offer winners and good value with an international edge but first and foremost the dam must be a producer or at least have raced to a good level on the track if she is a young mare.
I don’t follow particular sire lines as I try to judge each stallion on his merits, of course, there are sires I don’t like so I avoid them but if pushed I would say a strong German line has always appealed.
Q: When you buy at a Ready-2-Run sale what are your expectations and how are they different to when you buy at yearling’s sales?
A: In essence a ready to run sale is simple, you are basically aiming to buy an 80% finished article so my expectations would be to find an athletic horse who hasn’t been overworked and can make the track within 2-3 months of purchase. In terms of differences to yearlings, for me they are essentially the same as every horse purchased in an ideal world should be capable of making the track, the only real difference is the time you have to wait.
Q: Which sales do you usually attend every year?
A: It varies depending on orders throughout the year but certainly in the last year it has been the following CPYS, February Sale, GoffsUK Breeze Up, Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale, Racing In Dubai Sale, HIT Sale, BSA Ready to Run, CTS Ready To Run and the Mares Sale. Of course, we are always happy to attend as many as possible.
Q: Could you tell us how did you get involved with horse racing and got involved with Empire International Bloodstock?
A: I was lucky enough to be brought up on a Stud farm where my father was the stallion man so I had exposure to horses from a young age although as a teenager music was my passion so after a few years away gaining valuable life experiences the lure of these magnificent beasts called back to me and I started where I had left off with my fascination for pedigrees and the idiosyncrasies of the breed. I kept detailed logs of the offspring from the stallion my father looked after and researched pedigrees for family friends. In late 2015 I developed the concept of Empire International Bloodstock and by 2016 EIB was born, it has grown quicker than I could have expected and I am very grateful for the continued support of my partners Calum Law and Christopher Santos plus that of EIB’s clients.
Q: And finally, who is your favourite horse in the world? And why?
A: Mtoto, quite simply he was a legend and a dear family friend. I was 6 years old when Mtoto first arrived on the stud and I saw him every day, he was a real character and the apple of my father’s eye. He was the horse that started it all for me and I will be forever grateful for that as that has led me to where I am today.