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| Staff Writer |
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In the bustling heart of Sydney's horse racing community, a family-owned business has been quietly shaping the success of champions for nearly seven decades. Kensington Produce, founded in 1955 by former jockey and trainer Rex Hambly and his wife Roma, has become a cornerstone of the industry, providing top-quality horse feed and supplies to leading trainers and racecourses.
Today, at the helm of this thriving enterprise is Michael Hambly, the third-generation owner, carrying forward his grandparents' legacy of passion and dedication. With a client list that reads like a who's who of Australian racing, including Chris Waller Racing, Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing, and the Australian Turf Club itself, Kensington Produce has quite literally fed more Racing Premierships and Group One winners than any of its competitors.
"The greatest achievement of Kensington Produce is maintaining our customers," Michael Hambly reflects. "Our customers are loyal, which might have something to do with it, but maintaining customers in any business has its challenges. I think our customer service is what we do well.”
This commitment to customer service is deeply ingrained in the company's culture; as Hambly explains, "The generation that's come before has built the culture where nothing is out of the realm of possibility when it comes to servicing our customers. Sometimes that's taking a phone call on Sunday or going out of our way to make a short-notice delivery. It's not something that we want to do. We've got families and life outside of work, but if we need to, we will bend over backwards for our customers to make things work. I think they realise that."
The equine feed industry is not without its challenges, and Kensington Produce has weathered its fair share over the years. Michael Hambly points out that one of the biggest hurdles is the unpredictable nature of their primary resource.
"We work in a business that is governed by the weather. If there has been a wet season, this results in a not very friendly haymaking season, which leads to challenges in sourcing product,” he says.
These challenges have sometimes led to extreme measures, with the company occasionally sourcing feed from as far as Western Australia to maintain its commitment to quality. This dedication to excellence has not gone unnoticed by their high-profile clientele, which includes trainers like Joe Pride, Peter and Paul Snowden, and John O'Shea.
Hambly emphasises the importance of this commitment, "It's more about staying on top of the quality. That means getting out there and seeing what's available, having things tested, and just being able to put your hand on your heart and say, “I believe that we've got the best feed available for our customers."
In an industry steeped in tradition, Kensington Produce is making waves with its innovative approach to manufacturing and delivering horse feed. Michael's entrepreneurial spirit has driven the company to develop a system that can manufacture feed down to the gram in terms of recipe and deliver it in swap-and-go bins.
This new system not only ensures precision in feed composition, but also addresses environmental concerns. The swap-and-go bins are expected to last at least 10 years, potentially saving 20 plastic bags from going to landfill for every tub that goes out.
Hambly details the evolution of this system, "When we put the first mill in, we bought a grain cleaning plant with a small mixer. We built it because we thought maybe one day we might start making our own horse feed, and I’ve always had recyclable bags. I always had bags made of wood pulp with a cotton mesh through them. I've never had a plastic bag in this place."
The new mill takes this commitment to sustainability even further. Hambly explains, "When we built the new mill, the mill wasn't set up to make any bags. It's designed to make a large quantity of mix, whether it’s 360 kilos or 490 kilos, depending on what's in it, and it’s then transferred into the large plastic tubs.”
Kensington Produce's commitment to innovation extends beyond feed manufacturing. The company has recently installed a 100-kilowatt solar system on their roof, which is expected to offset about 58% of their electricity usage from the grid.
While Hambly admits that the initial motivation was to reduce electricity bills, the move aligns with a growing trend towards sustainability in the equine industry. This forward-thinking approach positions Kensington Produce at the forefront of environmentally conscious practices in horse feed production.
"About 58% of our usage will then come from the sun," Hambly notes. "We've probably installed a bigger system than we need at the moment, but down the track, we’re looking at potential growth and an increase in production.”
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An unwavering commitment to quality control is at the heart of Kensington Produce's success. The company employs rigorous testing protocols to ensure that every batch of feed meets its exacting standards.
"Quality comes from knowing your product and being able to source it," Hambly states. "It comes from the network of people that you've met over the course of years."
Recognising the importance of specialised knowledge, Kensington Produce collaborates with dedicated equine nutritionists to formulate their feeds. This approach sets them apart from competitors who might rely on sales representatives to provide nutritional advice.
"A good business is about surrounding yourself with people who are smarter than you, especially when it comes to animal nutritionists," Hambly states.
Kensington Produce works with a dedicated equine nutritionist who has spent her life researching and has gained a lot of hands-on experience with some of Australia's, leading operations.
Looking to the future, Michael has ambitious plans for Kensington Produce. The long-term goal is to create a vertically integrated company that can ensure consistency of supply and cost efficiency.
This vision, coupled with their innovative approach to feed manufacturing and delivery, will continue Kensington Produce's lead within the industry for years to come. Hambly is confident in their position and states, "As far as I'm aware, we're the first in the world to manufacture and deliver horse feed like we do. Basically, we try to manufacture and deliver within 24 hours. We're hitting targets of about 16 hours at the moment. I don't think anyone else in Australia can compete with that."
As Kensington Produce approaches its 70th anniversary, the company stands as a testament to the enduring power of family-owned businesses in the equine industry. From its humble beginnings in 1955 to its current status as a preferred supplier to Sydney's racing elite, the company has never lost sight of its core values: quality, service, and innovation.
Michael Hambly's leadership is driving the company into a new era of technological advancement and sustainability, all while maintaining the personal touch and deep industry knowledge that has been the hallmark of Kensington Produce for three generations.
This longevity is a result of constant improvement and adaptation. Hambly explains their approach, "We like to sit down occasionally as a team and talk about the problems that we've faced, what we've done to rectify them, and then what we can do better. So, like any business, I think you have to sit down with your team, take feedback, and continually improve."
As the Australian racing industry continues to thrive, with prize money at record levels and interest from young people growing, Kensington Produce is well-positioned to play a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of equine champions. Hambly is optimistic about the industry's future, "I think there's never been a better place to race horses than in Australia.”
However, he also acknowledges the challenges facing newcomers to the industry, "I think it's very hard for young people to get involved because of the operational costs and overheads, and it’s also very hard to compete against the big guys. They can't afford to have a team of sports scientists or an independent nutritionist."
From the farm to the feed room, from the starting gate to the winner's circle, Kensington Produce's influence can be felt throughout Sydney's racing community. As they look towards the next 70 years, one thing is clear: Australia's future of equine nutrition is in good hands.
Whether it's Winx devouring her carefully formulated feed before dominating the Cox Plate for a record fourth time, or the next rising star of the turf taking their first steps towards greatness, chances are their journey to success is being fuelled, in part, by the dedication and expertise of the Hambly family and their team at Kensington Produce.
In an industry where margins of victory are measured in milliseconds and millimetres, the quality of feed can make all the difference. As Michael Hambly and Kensington Produce continue to push the boundaries of equine nutrition, they are not just feeding horses - but feeding dreams, ambitions, and the very future of Australian horse racing itself.