The calm and collected, Simms Davison has already started and retired from his first professional career as a professional rugby player.
The New Zealand rugby celebrity understands the real value that top brands bring to any business, and he is carefully working towards turning Mapperley into one of the Thoroughbred industry's most recognised brands.
Born and raised on Mapperley Stud, Simms Davison has been selling at the Karaka Yearling Sales for the past ten years. Before that Mapperley Stud participation was led by his father or grandfather in their time at the helm as stud masters. The quality of bloodstock they sell year-on-year has only increased year-on-year.
Davison spoke to The Impact about their 2020 Karaka Yearling Sales draft, where Mapperley will once again be showcasing some of the best quality horses in the catalogue. Incidentally, Mapperley's selection will be one of the largest at this year's sale.
Q: Please tell us a bit more about your draft for the Karaka Yearling Sale:
A: "We are excited about this year's draft it's the nicest draft we have had as far as quality goes; we have 19 in Book One by 11 different sires and another 17 yearlings in Book 2. In my opinion, it's the best draft we have presented, as far as depth of pedigrees goes."
Our headline stallion Contributor sold very well at the sales throughout Australasia last year, and we have some quality yearlings to present this year. Lot 562 ex Due Diligence is an outstanding individual, he has excellent size, deep girth and has a fantastic presence to him, he's definitely one of the leading Contributor's on the type. His half-sister Ocean Dew won impressively for Anthony Freedman recently, and they will be targeting stakes races with her next time in.
Lot 457 Contributor – Bella Carolina is another colt to keep an eye out for. Out of the O'Reilly mare Bella Carolina, he is a half-brother to the 2yo stakes winner Tennessee. We also have a nice Contributor filly out of the 4-time winner Nomisma; she is a stunning filly with an excellent walk, a real Oaks filly.
Lot 676 Zoustar – It's All For You is another highlight in our draft, this filly is all class. Zoustar is flying at the moment, everyone is keen to get their hands on one, and I'm sure this girl will tick many boxes.
In Book 2 we are presenting a couple of quality yearlings by our first season sire Puccini. He is by the legendary Encosta De Lago, he won twice at Gr.1 level and was crowned Champion 3 year old. Lot 851 ex Shining Light is a lovely free walking colt with a high shoulder, a real derby horse like his old man.
Lot 846 is another filly to watch out for; she is out of the stakes performed She's A Cougar. She has been a standout since she was a foal and has become a real farm favourite.
Complacent, who also stands at Mapperley Stud has two highlights in Book 2. Lot 801 is out of the Danehill mare Princess Uno and is a half-sister to the new Gr.2 Auckland Breeders stakes winner Yearn. Lot 1032 by Complacent out of Centapin Lot 1037 is a colt that is going to stand out in book 2. He's a little rock star, and he has been very popular during the early inspections on the farm.
Q: Your farm is part of the history of Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand. Could you tell us more about Mapperley?
A: Mapperley has been in the Davison family for three generations. The 250-hectare property was established by my grandfather in the sixty's. I took over the farm over nine years ago, and I have aspirations of turning Mapperley into an industry leader.I want to continue adding to its legacy and one day pass it on to my two sons (who are four and six respectively: and let them carry on the family business.
Q: What is on your bucket list for Mapperley Stud?
A: Mapperley is known for the high-quality athletes it produces. Many outstanding racehorses raised on the farm, among them, So You Think, Dundeel, Sangster, Brutal, Thunder Lady and Sir Slick. Mapperley is famous for its big rolling hills, and we believe it's a perfect environment to give young horses an athletic head start. We don't over-populate the stud and provide the space for the horses to develop naturally and we see the benefits in the long run. I am also trying to increase the quality of our broodmares to carry our stud forward; it's a gradual process but a significant one. We aim to inject new bloodlines every year so we can stay at the forefront of the industry.
Q: Could you please tell us about Atlante?
A: Atlante was a son of Fastnet Rock and was the first stallion I syndicated. Unfortunately, Atlante died in a freak accident halfway through his second season at stud. We are encouraged that his first crop, now 3YOs are doing extremely well. It gives us confidence that we can select the right stallion for the New Zealand market. The next 12-24 months is an exciting time for Mapperley as we watch the progeny of our young stallions start performing on the race track.
Q: Please tell us about your Stallion program?
A: New Zealand is a small market, so if we are to compete on the international stage, the studs need to work together to bring the best stallion prospects into the country. We have syndicated stallions at Mapperley, and we have great shareholders, who support us strongly. In a first for Darley, they offered, to syndicate half of their stallion Contributor, Australia's champion middle-distance horse in 2015 to prominent New Zealand breeders.
Similarly, we have bought shares in leading stallions at other studs to support the wider industry here in New Zealand.
Q: How many mares do you have on the farm?
A: A few months ago we had 180 mares, 120 foals and 60 dry mares, in addition to our stallions.
Q: How do you plan matings?
A: Our target is to produce a physical type that can perform at the highest levels. We start by identifying a mare that is going to be mated and identify all her faults. We then identify several stallions who can improve those faults. We also look at what a stallion's pedigree can add to the mating and how it can balance out any faults in the mare's family.
Then we work out what has worked as far as bloodlines go and identify the most successful cross. These days there are plenty of statistics available to analyse the performance of crosses, so it makes life a little bit easier.
We usually mate our mares with our stallions. However, if we find a stallion which is outside the farm but a better fit, then she is sent out for the mating.
Q: Please tell us more about your mating successes?
A: A few years ago, we had a horse which was sold for NZ$450,000 to a Hong Kong buyer. Last year we were very encouraged by the sale of a horse who was out of one of our new siresContributer. He was bred by one of our long-term clients, so we were thrilled to see him have a great sale — the horse sold for NZ$250,000, a top price for a first season sire at the auctions.
Q: And finally, could you please tell us more what father decided to do after he retired.
A: He has now taken up sheep and beef farming at a nearby station. He has given me the advice and training I needed and allowed me the space to develop Mapperley the way I wanted to.