Vin Cox

Member of the Federation of Bloodstock Agents of Australia
Stock and Station Licence

Background:

Vin Cox is regarded as one of Australia’s most astute bloodstock agents and industry analysts. A member of the Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia (FBAA) and an honorary member of the Group and Listed Advisory Committee, Vin is also Keeneland’s Australasian representative and is credited with helping educate Australia’s marketplace to the benefits of American bloodlines.

Vin grew up on a property in Mudgee in central NSW and from a young age would often shadow his grandfather around the racetracks of Dubbo, Gilgandra, Narromine and Trangie. This formative ‘education’ was never lost on him and was the precursor to a youth spent buried in form guides and preoccupied by racing.

However, it was only a chance meeting with the then William Inglis managing director, Reg Inglis, that led him into the industry on a professional level. Vin rose to the role of Associate Director of  the Auction House in his 15 year career with Inglis before electing to branch out on his own in 2003.

Vin’s enthusiasm for the industry and the horse has never waned. He admits to be a racing tragic and thrives on the challenges that this industry provides.

“I have a real passion for the sport. I’m not so interested in the punt and very rarely have a bet but I’m interested in whose winning, where it’s from, those sort of things. And then there is the challenge of it. It’s a challenging industry,” Vin says.

“The challenge of buying a real racehorse on a limited budget or of buying a really nice horse under budget. 

“The challenge of helping a client buy a mare to send to a particular stallion and then advising on which sale to sell at and getting a great result.

 “And the other challenge is identifying a trend before someone else is on it. Whether that’s picking a first season sire; a family that is on the move; a young mare that you have your eye on who you believe has genuine capabilities. Anticipating the market, that’s a great challenge.”

Thoroughbreds aren’t Vin’s sole passion. His wife Nic and three sons Harry, Charlie and Will are his first love and spending time with them around Sydney or up at the family property in Mudgee are treasured occasions and provide an important distraction.

“I have a great family with Nic and my three boys and I also love refereeing and rugby. I will often take the boys to rugby or we will go up to the park and have a kick of the ball and that’s great. I coached my middle son Charlie from Under-6, Under-7 and Under-8s as well and that was fantastic.”

What you don’t know about Vin:

“In 1822 the Cox family settled Mudgee. My great, great grandfather also sponsored the Thompson family to Australia. The Thompson family originally settled in Mudgee before founding the Widden Valley and Widden Stud. Our families have crossed paths a few times and Antony Thompson and I are great friends and were at school at Kings at the same time. I was in sixth form and Antony was in second form and he was my study frat. As a study frat he used to have to clean my shoes, make my bed and make me toast and coffee. But after a month of that I had to sack him because he wasn’t much good.”

Best horse you’ve seen:

“As a kid it was Manikato he was a freak. Kingston Town was around at the same time but for whatever reason Manikato stuck with me. Five William Reids, the longevity of him that really stuck with me. In more recent times I’d have to say Sunline and Lonhro while Super Impose’s forth Randwick mile was pretty special.

Garry Cuddy

Background:

Garry Cuddy has emerged as one of the sharpest young minds in the Australian thoroughbred industry with his eye for bloodstock and his understanding of Australia’s role in the global industry a vital asset to the success of Vin Cox Bloodstock.

Garry has worked at both local and international sales for clients of Vin Cox Bloodstock and plays a key role in ensuring clients are provided with a premium service on a daily basis.

His infectious enthusiasm for the industry is little surprise considering much of Garry’s youth was spent working alongside his uncle Peter Boyle at stud farms across NSW. By the time his formative schooling had finished his credentials included time at Woodlands Stud, Segenhoe Stud, Baerami Stud, Byerley Stud and Sefton Park Stud.

“I just love this industry, it’s where I have wanted to be since I was a kid so it’s great to be a part of it now” Garry said.

“It’s the little things, for example the other day I was looking up a filly I foaled down at Woodlands while on work experience and saw that she now has a yearling that’s in the Darley system and that was great to see. It the cheap thrills like this that keep you interested.

“Then there are the thrills of seeing great horses. My first real memory of being at the races was the day that Octagonal beat Arkady in the 1997 Mercedes Classic. I thought I was his biggest fan in the world and to see how he hit the line was amazing.

“I was also lucky enough to be at the Breeders’ Cup in 2009 when Zenyatta won the Classic. I still get goose bumps watching the replay. It’s also amazing to have seen the horses you’re in awe of, the A.P. Indys and Kingmambos, also Lonhro and Octagonal and that’s very special.”

What is your escape from racing and the worries of the world:

“I play cricket in summer and soccer in the winter, this is where the competitive side of me comes out you could say.”

Are there any horses that made an early impression on you:

“There was a horse called Audible that Gary Portelli trained for the Hawcroft family while he was still training in Orange and he was my first favourite horse. He won a couple of races at Orange and one day won by 3.5 lengths at Warwick Farm.  He was the last foal ever conceived by Marceau, his dam was responsible for the kick that cost Marceau his life.”

Anna Ryan

Background:

Anna Ryan brings a wealth of international experience to Vin Cox Bloodstock having worked in four of the world’s leading thoroughbred regions and since joining our operation her ability to identify untapped talent has been integral to our clients both buying and selling to Hong Kong, Singapore and Macau.

A passionate horsewoman, Anna has worked with leading studs and trainers in the United States, Canada, Ireland and Australia and further diversified her skill-set with a Degree in Equine Science and a Diploma in Equine Massage Therapy.

The depth of Anna’s experience is no surprise considering she grew up just outside Portlaoise, a short drive from Ireland’s famed Curragh, and was legged aboard horses before she could walk. She has bred National Hunt horses, competed in All Ireland championships, foaled mares, broken in yearlings, done sale preps and worked with sick thoroughbreds.

“I just love horses and so being involved in this industry with Vin Cox Bloodstock is fantastic,” Anna said.

“I really enjoy going to the trials and trying to find the potential in horses and that is probably why I prefer the yearling sales to the mare sales. It’s a real challenge.”

What you don’t know about Anna:

“I did a bit of eventing before I went to college and competed in an All Ireland cross country championship. The team I was in finished second of 54 teams and was one of only two teams to jump a clear round.”

Best horse Anna has ever seen:

“Desert Orchid was a front running grey and a spectacular jumper. He was a champion two miler that won a Cheltenham Gold Cup over 3m 2f and he won it on pure heart and class. Sunline is another, she was just an amazing horse. These kind of horses have that special something that the majority of them don’t.”