Leading Bloodstock Agent Attending RJC Race and Sale Weekend

One of Australia’s leading bloodstock experts John Foote will be in Rockhampton for the RJCs Classic Race and Capricornia Yearling Sale weekend.

John and his wife Patrice are set to enjoy the RJCs social activities at the 2YO Classic Race Day at Callaghan Park before going to Sunday’s Yearling Sale and exploring the Capricornia region.

RJC chairman Rob Carr said its fantastic to have so much interest in the Club’s Race and Sale weekend. “It’s a credit to everyone organising the sale, the interest this year has been unprecedented,” he said. “There is certainly some big names in racing that are going to be here, not only has it attracted the interest of John (Foote), but to get southern horse trainers the calibre of Mitch Beer and Will Freedman here as well is a real feather in the RJC’s cap.

A regular purchaser at weanling, yearling and breeding stock sales in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the America’s – John Foote Bloodstock has been operating successfully since 1982. John gained experience with Cloes Bloodstock Agency in Adelaide, the British Bloodstock Agency in Newmarket UK and later as the manager of Dalgety Bloodstock International in Adelaide before forming his own business.

Some of the best examples of his thoroughbred purchases include the world’s leading sprinter, Silent Witness, and Tugela, the dam of the world’s leading stayer and three time-Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva. When John bought Tugela for Tony Santic, in England in December 1998, she was in foal. As usual with Santic’s British-purchased horses, she was taken to Fowlston’s Britton House stud in Somerset to board before being sent on to Australia. The plan was to sell the filly that would become Makybe Diva at the Tattersall’s December sales, but she did not make the reserve. So, Tony said: “Right, bring her out to Australia.’ That’s got to go down as one of the best decisions ever made in Australian racing history.

We all know the story since that stroke of genius. Foote Bloodstock also secured Melbourne Cup winner Prince Of Penzance, and leading steeplechaser Karasi. Others in the Foote Bloodstock gallery of stars are Yes Yes Yes (The Everest), Kenedna (Doomben Cup) and Fifty Stars (Australian Cup).

There will be 108 yearlings, mostly QTIS stock, auction by Magic Millions on Sunday at the RJC’s 2025 Capricornia Yearling Sale. The gates open to the Showgrounds at 9.00 am on Sunday with Racing Queensland presenting an Own the Morning Breakfast session hosted by Sophie Swain. The first yearling to go under the auctioneers hammer will be offered at 11.00 am in the Robert Schwarten Pavillion. Catalogues for the Sale are available at the RJC office and at the sale. Admission to the Capricornia Yearling Sale, at the Showgrounds  is free, and food and beverage facilities will be operating.

David Aldred CEO – RJC