Marette Farrell
One of the nation's leading bloodstock agents
The story behind her incredible success...
“Gay Waterhouse, the force behind one of Australia’s most powerful stables, shared a bit of wisdom when I came onboard as her racing manager: “As a woman in this business, you have to work twice as hard, for twice as long and be twice as good just to get half the recognition.” With that always in my mind, the only way I could prove myself to the world, when starting Exhale Enterprises, was to put my own hard-earned money to work. So I formed and managed racing and pinhooking partnerships focused on yearlings and two-year-olds in training. The racing partnerships include G-1 winner Dr. Zic and Grade I performer Willcox Inn, in whom I am proud to say I was a part-owner. The partnerships have been hugely successful. Plus, we have had a lot of fun along the way. Nothing can beat that incomparable feeling of owning a really good horse!”
“As a woman in this business, you have to work twice as hard, for twice as long and be twice as good just to get half the recognition.”Gai Waterhouse
“So, how does a woman in the Thoroughbred business get from A to B? I grew up on Knockatrina House Stud in Ireland. The family tree has roots deep in the Thoroughbred world. My father Canice raised Thoroughbreds, showjumpers, and greyhounds. (My mother Lena, not to be outdone, raised Dalmatians). Dad bred multiple G-1 winning English sprinter Fayr Jag, while my brother Canice sold G-1 winner and stallion Paco Boy as a two-year-old in training. My sister Anita owned multiple G-1 winner Magical Fantasy at the beginning of her racing career in England. My other sister, Edwina, is a well-respected Equine veterinarian in Ireland specializing in reproductive work. In school, I was a national high jump champion. Whilst studying Physical Education and English in college, I made the Irish U21’s and the National Field Hockey Team. However, the lure of reading about Secretariat and Seattle Slew, Claiborne and Calumet Farms was irresistible. I retired from International competition to follow my love of horse racing full time.”
“My main focus in Dubai was taking horses to the desert to do alternative training and rehabilitation. That experience, along with years spent studying under top pinhookers Jerry and Leslie Bailey, has given me special insight into developing racehorses.”Marette Farrell
“I literally put my rucksack on my back and arrived at trainer John Hammond’s doorstep in France whilst waiting for my visa to America. My time with Hammond was followed by assistant trainer positions at the racing stables of Niall O’Callaghan and David Carroll, along with Peter Brette, of Barbaro fame, when he trained in Dubai. My main focus in Dubai was taking horses to the desert to do alternative training and rehabilitation. That experience, along with years spent studying under top pinhookers Jerry and Leslie Bailey, has given me special insight into developing racehorses. Concurrently, I worked with Tim McMurry assessing yearlings at the sales. We found group winners St. Avril and Fireslam. Racing knowledge is the key to sustained success. It serves, too, as a solid foundation when planning matings, selecting stallions and broodmares, and identifying racing prospects. Even my own training as an international athlete has contributed to the ability to assess the mechanics of a quality Thoroughbred. Not to mention the years that I worked as assistant to renowned lameness consultant and acupuncturist, Earl Sutherland.”
“While working with Headley Bell of Nicoma Bloodstock, I was the initiator of Nicoma’s successful two-year-old pinhooking partnerships, which proved to be Nicoma’s first venture in this arena.”Marette Farrell
“While working with Headley Bell of Nicoma Bloodstock, I was the initiator of Nicoma’s successful two-year-old pinhooking partnerships, which proved to be Nicoma’s first venture in this arena. My experience at the racetrack developing young horses became a valuable resource to them. I was involved in selecting and owning group winners Boss Lafitte and Mint Lane, as all as finding Grade-1 winner Palace Episode for that pinhooking partnership. The decision to go out on my own, to start Exhale Enterprises, was a bit scary. But what an adventure it has been! Thoroughbred racing and breeding is a rollercoaster ride, the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
“And that’s how you go from A to B!”Marette Farrell