Where Are They Now?

In the latest in our series, we talk to Claudia McDougall who worked at Tweenhills on her way to becoming Nominations, Sales and Marketing Executive at Yulong Stud in Australia.

Smart start

“I initially worked part-time at Tweenhills in 2012 before completing the 2013 breeding season there. Most of my time was either spent at the foaling unit at Corse End or with the spellers.

“I’d always had an interest in racing and pedigrees and spent a couple of summers working for Bryan Smart at his base in North Yorkshire prior to my degree at Hartpury University, which is obviously next to Tweenhills.

“While at Hartpury, I worked for Martin Jones in Redmarley, who usually backed a few Tweenhills yearlings each season alongside some pretty handy jumpers. After 2 years and some fairly spectacular dismounts, I decided I was probably more suited to being on the ground than on top!

Groundwork

“I briefly stepped away from horses to get some experience in an office environment working in a HR department in Cheltenham for a few months until a discussion in the local pub one night led me to helping out at the upcoming Tweenhills yearling parade. I ended up staying to help out at weekends before taking on a full-time role during the breeding season.

“It was my first real taste of the breeding side of the industry. My previous experience had mainly been with horses-in-training and I’d had very little contact with foals. It really opened my eyes to a whole world I hadn’t thought about before.

Fond memories

“It’s a bit of a running joke that I’m terrible at people’s names but remember the pedigrees of horses I worked with donkey’s years ago. The Pivotal x Atlantic Destiny colt was among the yearlings that season; he obviously went on to be Sussex Stakes winner and Tweenhills stallion Lightning Spear, and I remember us all piling into the office to watch Qatar Racing-owned Kiyoshi win the Albany at Royal Ascot.

“Tweenhills legend Lady Rebecca was in her twilight years and still a resident on the farm, and I had a few entertaining trips to Newmarket with Graham McCourt taking mares for cover to Frankel in his first season.

“Pikaboo (known by a few of the stud staff as Pikachu!) was also on the main farm when I first started. At the time her Lucky Story filly was only a rising two-year-old but she turned out to be dual Gr.2 winner Lucky Kristale. Eight years later, it was pretty cool watching the Galileo filly Love dominate two British Classics for the Coolmore team…who was her dam? Pikachu!

Horsing around

“There are frequent birthday dips gifted to staff in the front pond outside the Tweenhills office! I’m not sure how I avoided it, but I took it as a blessing given my birthday is in February.

Down to business

“I came out of university knowing I wanted to work in racing but unsure on what path to go down. Getting a taste for the breeding industry at Tweenhills gave me the direction and purpose I needed to pursue a career in the bloodstock world.

Old friends

“There are a number of “Tweenies” floating round in the industry now, not just in the UK but globally, and I used to see quite a few when I was with Darley. As I’m based in Australia now, I probably see Ryan Arnel the most as Stonehouse is not a million miles from Yulong in Victoria. I’m pretty certain it was Ryan who initially suggested I went to Tweenhills.

Hooked

“Work wise, continuing to develop Mr Zhang’s global vision for Yulong is an ambition. We’re still a relatively new face to the industry but we have a young and enthusiastic staff base determined to drive the success of the farm, stallions and racing team.

“On a personal level, hoping myself, my partner Gareth and a couple of friends can make a nice return on our two pinhooks this season. We’ve got a house and a wedding to save for so every little helps!

Free time

“As the biggest and fastest-growing bloodstock operation in Australia, Yulong is a pretty busy place to be and we’re often away either at the sales or racing. I’m glutton for punishment though and having put my ex-racehorse on loan when we first moved to Australia, I thought it was only right to get another one in this hemisphere. Grinling, my rather large Irish-bred Mastercraftsman who won two races in the UK, came from Highclere via Racing Hearts last year and I spend any spare time generally attempting to stay on top of him and avoid kangaroos.

Horse to follow

“Growing Empire – a rising three-year-old colt purchased by Yulong at the 2023 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale and trained by Ciaron Maher. The son of Zoustar has two Stakes wins to his name this season, taking the Listed Valley Pearl on Slipper Day at the Valley and romping home in the Gr.3 Breeders’ Stakes at Morphettville a month later. He was a little quirky initially but looks very talented and the team here are looking forward to what could be a very exciting Spring with him.”