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| Staff Writer |
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Norman Williamson has always been passionate about horses whether in the saddle or as head of Oak Tree Farm.
Born in Ireland his experience with horses would start with those owned by his horses, as he told us. “I was born in Bandon, in west Cork, Ireland, and grew up moving between there and a place called Ballyhooly in north County Cork.
“I always showed a huge interest in our neighbour’s horses, they had point-to-pointers and ponies. My father Harry then bought me a pony when I was aged ten. I would hunt and show jump this pony and race it in whatever race I could find to do so."
With no initial connection to racing in his family, this would change as time went on. “My father was a stockman but always loved horses and ponies. Two of my brothers also became interested I suppose around the time I started riding pony racing and they grew to love horses then also. Brian is a farrier who has some thoroughbred broodmares from some years now and Michael is a keen horseman who dabbles in sport horses," he said.
When he is asked what it was that got him passionate about horses, he was quick to answer.
“I’ve always loved jumping! I think it was the thrill of speed and the love of jumping that got me hooked.”
He would go on to compete in the National Hunt throughout Ireland and Britain while also becoming the top jockey at the Cheltenham Festival in 1995 recording four wins.
These wins included the Champion Hurdle on Alderbrook and the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Master Oats and also came second in the 2000 Grand National on Melly Moss.
Throughout his career, he would ride 1268 winners which included victories in King George V Chase and the Irish Champion Hurdle from 1988 to 2003.
“Obviously each of those big wins mentioned are highlights of my career, every jockey wants to win a major at Cheltenham and or a Grand National.
“All my Cheltenham Festival winners were very special, I think there were 11.
“I was very close in the jockeys’ championship in Britain one year, Adrian Maguire and I were joint runners up to Richard Dunwoody.
“I was only 5 winners behind with two weeks to go so it was very exciting for a few weeks.
“I rode with some exceptional jockeys, too many to name but almost every race amongst them was a tactical challenge.”
Throughout his riding career, he had the opportunity to ride many great horses.
“I was lucky enough to ride what I considered to be a number of great horses. I’m sure to have left off some very good horses but those that spring to mind are Alderbrook, Back In Front, Commanche Court, Direct Route, Jodami, Lady Rebecca, Master Oats, Monsignor, Multum In Parvo (the first important winner of my career in 1990 in the Cheltenham Mackeson Gold Cup), Ned Kelly, Nick Dundee, Rhinestone Cowboy, Teeton Mill.
“It was usually their class that set them apart but they had to have huge hearts and bravery as well.”
Whilst riding he always had a keen interest in the bloodstock world and dealt in National Hunt stock, selling with partners at the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale among others.
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He remembers his first sale and what it meant to him and his career.
“I remember going to the Doncaster Breeze Up with two horses I had bought in Goffs the previous October.
“One was a colt by Imperial Ballet which gave me a false sense of how easy pin hooking was as I turned him from €30K to GBP £84k!
“The other made no money but I had to sell him so there was an immediate lesson in that too.”
Upon retirement, he set about building up a nursery for young National Hunt stock and Breeze Up two-year-olds, Oak Tree Farm was born.
“Before I retired in 2003, I was always thinking of what next as I knew I couldn’t go on riding forever.
“I had traded a few National Hunt store horses with another renowned vendor and ex-jockey Mark Dwyer of Oaks Farm Stables and also with Eddie Hales, former trainer and also one-time head lad to Kim Bailey when we had the Cheltenham double.
“I enjoyed those trades, and they were profitable so it kept me hooked.
“I then had to retire from race riding quite suddenly because of injury and immediately started going to the sales to search for stock.
“I needed to get earning again quickly as we had just bought the farm.
“When we bought the farm in 2003 we always had intentions of buying and selling but needed to fine-tune what end of the business we were going to trade in.
“The Breeze Ups seemed a logical step as I could ride them all myself throughout their prep and also at the Breeze when my weight didn’t matter so much as the times of breezes were not so crucial then.
“I still ride them at home on a daily basis.
“On the national hunt end of things, I had considered buying horses to run in point to points and sell on but I started to pin hook National Hunt foals instead and stuck to that side of the industry.
“My goals then were the same as they are now - to keep producing good horses.”
The Farm quickly grew to become a leading vendor at Breeze Up Sales across Europe and also National Hunt Store Sales throughout England and Ireland, a reputation that Williamson is proud of.
“It means everything to produce horses that go on to win races and especially at the highest level.
“To sell a true champion is everyone’s dream I’m sure.
“Having a good reputation is everything when selling. It is very important to us that buyers are happy with the way in which horses have been produced here.”
Without his wife, Janet, he admits he and the Farm would not have come as far as it has to date. She has a rich background in racing and bloodstock, as the daughter of Timmy and Trish Hyde, owners of the renowned Camas Park Stud.
“Janet grew up in the thick of the thoroughbred industry and worked in various facets of it before we set up Oak Tree Farm.
“She has an innate knowledge of how it operates and how tough it can be.
“She runs the office here along with being hands-on in the yard especially when I am away at the sales.
“She is the boss in many ways!”
Williamson is straight up when it comes to talking of his mentors or whom he looks up to in the industry.
“I have huge admiration for those who have been ploughing their furrow in this industry for decades, even generations.
“I also try to watch how the true stalwarts manage their trading be it by diversifying what they buy and sell or even where they buy and sell.
‘All vendors have experiences to share, and much can be learned from listening and sharing your own, especially amongst the small pool of Breeze Up Consignors who continually punch above their weight. I try to learn from my own mistakes of which I have made plenty!”
Williamson loves going to the sales and when it comes to talk of a checklist of what he looks for in a potential purchase it all comes down to a potential improvement in the animal.
“I cannot seem to drag myself away from buying what I think are quality individuals but ultimately cost will determine what I end up being able to buy.
“I like to look for horses I think will improve in time.”
He has made some memorable purchases as he mentioned.
“The Group One winners and performers are for sure the ones to be the proudest of.
“Contributor was a dual Grade 1 winner in Australia and a Champion Older Horse down there.
“War of Will won the Gr.1 Preakness Stakes, a US Classic and also a Gr 1 turf winner.
“Native Trail needs no introduction being European Champion Two Year Old in 2021 and a Classic Winner in 2022.
“Eldar Eldarov also won a British Classic in 2022. Dragon Symbol is perhaps the one that got away, having been first past the post at Royal Ascot 2020 in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup, only to be demoted to second place in the Steward’s room.”
At the recent Dubai Breeze Up Sale, the Street Sense (USA) X Gold Serenade (USA) was one of the top five horses sold.
“He breezed beautifully and has a nice pedigree by a top sire.
“He has a lot of quality and hopefully goes on to be top class racehorse.”
Williamson thought gratefully of the sale in Dubai.
“It is another potential market for Breeze up vendors and we are always looking for those opportunities.
“The Dubai Racing Club and Goffs have done a great job in getting this sale up and running and I hope the Breeze Up market continues to develop in Dubai.
“We are always made feel very welcome and the Dubai Racing Club is very hospitable to each and every one of us.”
Coming into April Williamson said that there is plenty to come for the remainder of the year.
“We have small but select drafts at Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up, Goffs UK Breeze Up and Arqana Breeze Up Sales.
“We also have a number of National Hunt Stores to sell at most of the premier national hunt sales in England and Ireland.
“Once July arrives, the selling is over and it is time to get back to buying and replenishing!”