TDN: Tell us a bit about yourself, how did you get started in the industry?
Jock Harris: I started my career in the thoroughbred industry in my school years where I was sent by my next-door neighbour, Richard Rutherford of Beltana to work for Waikato stud for a summer of yearling prep. I haven’t stopped since and the rest is history
TDN: Have you spent a lot of time working overseas?
JH: I’ve been very lucky and this industry has taken me all over the world. I was selected to do the Irish National Stud Course in 2013 on a scholarship presented by Taylor Trust which opened a lot of doors for me. I also spent time at Highclere Stud in the UK, Lane’s End in America I and spent one month with Bruce Harvey in Hong Kong for the HKJC breeze up sale.
TDN: Do you think the international experience helped get you to where you are today?
JH: 100% and most importantly the people I met along the way.
TDN: How long have you been yearling manager at Newgate?
JH: The last 3 yearling seasons.
TDN: You presented one of Newgate’s biggest ever yearling drafts at the recent MM Sale, was there more pressure trying to get such a large number of horses ready for sale?
JH: Of course there were some serious challenges involved in preparing such a big draft, but boy oh boy was it rewarding to see that 100% clearance rate. I have a fantastic team at Newgate around me who support me in everything that is required.
TDN: Who is your favourite horse you’ve ever taken through the ring?
JH: Fleur de here x Fastnet Rock Easter 2017, She was a queen and her price tag reflected it
TDN: What do you do during the off- season from yearlings?
JH: Raise the future champions of Newgate.
TDN: What’s your favourite sale of the year?
JH: Magic Millions on the Gold Coast – you can’t get much better, although unfortunately I never actually make it to the beach…
TDN: Do you have any advice to anyone looking to become a yearling manager?
JH: There are a few quotes that I have always lived by since starting in this industry:
– “You get that on the big jobs.”
– “Assumption is the mother of all f*#k ups.”
– “Go to the tap, not the drips.”
These have served me pretty well so far.
