Director's Cut: Parsons Creek’s Ross Bone And Great Horses Like Mazu Are Inseparable

Q: Where were you born and where did you grow up?

A:  I was born in a little town on the far north coast of New South Wales. And I'm one of 11 children. I have five younger sisters and an older sister and four older brothers.

Q: How did you develop an affinity and a love for the sport of kings?

A: My father was a blacksmith and horse breaker. He worked on barriers at the races and he was a good horseman himself and was always at the racetrack. I used to follow him along and always wanted to be a jockey. I went to pony club as a kid and as a lad rider was a good rider. My father knew a guy in Sydney and he wanted to send me down there. Jack Morgan came up and looked at me and he said, he'll grow too big. He got too big afoot. That was the end of a jockey career that stayed for a while. But I did go and work in stables and road work. And I did get too big to be an apprentice, but I rode amateur horses at race meetings and then I progressed to work on horses today. 

Q: As a stud manager, there are not too many times that a horse like Mazu comes along. At what point did you know that this young foal was going to be something special?

A: When we foaled him, for about a week or so he was a little light framed. We kept him in a small yard with his mother. After about a week he started to strengthen up and develop. He was always a very individual and very athletic foal. He had the right balance and he looked good. His form started developing at the time and he was a very ‘correct foal, physically. He was standoffish from the beginning and I always felt he was his own man. 

All the horses that I've been involved with over the years have been top-quality, well-bred horses. They had some things in common. They were always individualistic and were always good from when they were young all the way through. And they obviously always had a little bit of attitude.

The good horses always show you something. 

Q: How much pride do you and the other connections to Mazu take in the fact that the horse has now been signed not to one but to 2022 and 2023 Everest challenges? What a tremendous journey and confidence that the stud holder had to sign the horse to two consecutive races.

A:  Well, this is a family-owned farm. And it started off small. Chatelaine was the first of their top-quality broodmares. When we took him to the sales as a yearling, he generated a lot of interest as he was a good-looking horse. But I said to the owner, it doesn’t matter who buys him, we will keep a quarter and even half if they couldn't sell him. It's been great for the owners and their daughter Jo O’Gorman. 

At the moment Chatelaine is in foal Toronado that’s due soon. She's 22, but she's still nice and active. 

And on top of that, we went and bought her daughter at the Magic million sales last year, a mare called Whitula.

Q: Please tell us more about Mazu’s Japanese sire, Maurice and your thoughts on the cross with Chatelaine.

A: When we watched the videos of Maurice, it was just an outstanding racehorse. I couldn't believe some of the things he did in his races. He had a fantastic turnout towards the end of his races. The cross with Chatelaine sat very nicely. She’s by Golden Slipper winner Flying Spur. We put his speed and the ability of Maurice, hoping to get what we did.

Q: Can you give us any insight on some up-and-comers that you see in your stable that might be the next Mazu?

A: Well, interesting you should say that we had a Zoustar colt. I really liked the horse and I've liked him all the way through. We have syndicated him with some friends. And he is just going into the pre-training and then he will go to Snowden as well. He is a very nice horse and I hope that he'll do well at the job.

Q: When we look back at last year’s Nature Strip was fantastic. What were your thoughts on the 2021 edition?

A: I really like the horse. Another horse I liked last year was Lost and Running. He's much stronger this year. That's the only thing with Mazu, but hopefully, fingers crossed he will go on the job and blaze a trail.

Q: How much pride do you take as an Aussie in the tremendous growth and excitement around this unique race? 

A: Well, to have to at least even have a runner in it is a fantastic thing for any farm. That is an enormous thing for the owners, trainers, the breeding industry and for selling horses down the line. 

Q: As the race gains in popularity, do you think they should perhaps add a few more slots to increase the cost of the slots or keep it as it is?

A:  I think if you have too many slots, sometimes you get into interference. Not every horse gets their opportunity. I think with this number of horses in it every horse seems to be able to get their opportunity.

Q: What are the traits or qualities of the equine you'd be looking for in a race of the magnitude of The Everest?

A: I like to see a horse come out and be athletic in his walk. He must have a good strong hind quarter and be able to step out. I like a horse with a good hip, and hip detail. And most important is going to have short cannons and a very good groove under his jaw. 

You need a fast horse and the right pedigree as well, from fast families. The horses must be able to finish with a good time and show a good turn of foot at the end of their races.

Q: Please tell us about the 300 acres of Parsons’ Creek Farm. 

A: All 300 acres are fully irrigated. We grow probably around about 60 acres of alfalfa which is a good supplement for ailing horses. We don't take on a lot of spells but the ones we do, we like to put them in big paddocks. They get in a 10-acre paddock to run and develop better and good pasture rather than being locked up and just basically standing around. We prefer to get them out exercising. They seem to do better when they go back.

Q: How long before a big race like Everest would a trainer want to have a horse go for a spell before the horse ramps up on his training for the actual race?

A: In Mazu’s case, he raced in the Doomben 10,000 which was about six or eight weeks ago. He went to the paddock, he had about three to four weeks in the paddock and he's back in work now he's moving along so won't be long and be having a start in probably in the next month. Typically, you would have two prep races before a big race like The Everest and hopefully, he will be at his peak. 

Q: How technology has impacted the sport and the industry how much stock do you put in seeing a horse via video and photographs versus inspecting the horse in person?

A: I personally like to look at horses individually. There are plenty of horses that have been terrible in videos and photos but have been amazing in person. And vice versa. 

Q: What are the qualities you like in Sam Clipperton? 

A: Sam Clipperton has very good hands. He sits quietly at the top of the horse and doesn't panic. He keeps the horse bouncing and balanced. He's not over forceful with the whip. He keeps Mazu in his stride. Overall, he's done a great job on Mazu.

Q: When hiring what are the most important things you look for and what advice would you give a young person looking to break into the industry? 

A: Well, I've always preferred to get people with no experience. And then they learn what you need to be done on the farm. I know how to do it, and I know how to do it properly. And some people come from big farms, but they don't know. 

I like to encourage people. I suggest that if a young person wants to work in the industry, he (or she) should find work on a farm and spend a year there, and then go to work with trainers. 

Not everyone can do that. But if they want to work in the industry, they need to find the right people, the best people to learn from.