Joining the local farmers at the point-to-point races in England as a young boy was Henry Plumptre’s introduction to the thoroughbred industry. An industry which acknowledged his significant contribution over four decades earlier this year, when he was presented with the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association President’s Award for Life Time Achievement.
Born in England, Plumptre was educated at Radley College in Oxfordshire. As a 19-year-old he embarked on what he happily admits was a “very short and very poor” career as a point-to-point jockey where unfortunately falls outnumbered wins, he did however manage to salute the judge first on one occasion.
After deciding race-riding was not his forte, Plumptre went to the British Bloodstock Ageny where he met with renowned agent Sir Philip Payne-Gallwey who suggested Australia would be the best place for him to pursue a career in the thoroughbred industry. Having enjoyed his first taste of Australia earlier that year when he attended his best friend’s wedding in Sydney, Plumptre was happy to take Sir Philip’s advice and head ‘Down Under’.
It was 1977 and Plumptre took up a role working with the yearlings at James ‘Bim’ Thompson’s Widden Stud. In just three years, Plumptre ascended to the position of stud manager before returning to his homeland to where he would continue to manage studs.
“It was 1981 when I arrived in Newmarket. The same year Sheikh Mohammed arrived.” Plumptre said.
“It’s fair to say one of us made a bigger impact than the other but I was there for over six years and loved every minute of it.”
In 2001 Plumptre, who at the time was a bloodstock agent based in Melbourne, once again found himself in the same location as Sheikh Mohammed. Darley had begun to stand its first stallions in Australia and Plumptre was employed as a consultant. In 2006 following the purchase of Northwood Park, Plumptre became a stud director and then took on the role of Darley Australia’s Managing Director in 2008.
It was a significant year for Darley, with the purchase of the Ingham brothers’ Woodlands bloodstock empire taking place at the same time.
“That was a pivotal moment for Darley as it could have gone either way, but to buy out Woodlands and make the assets and the brand what they are today was a fantastic achievement by everyone involved.”
During his time at the helm of Darley in Australia, Plumptre has overseen some exceptional achievements on the track including 32 G1 wins. Four of those G1 wins were recorded by World Champion Sprinter Sepoy who Plumptre rates as the best horse Darley has had in Australia.
“In two preparations he did what very few horses can do. He was a phenomenal racehorse horse from an amazing family,” he said.
Plumptre admits the loss of star stallions Street Cry and Commands this year will have a significant impact on the company.
“The immediate impact is on revenue but long term the impact on our bloodstock will leave the biggest hole. We won’t have 30-40 ultra-consistent, tough, genuine horses that Commands would give us each year as well as the Classic contenders that Street Cry has provided us,” he said.
“However, looking backwards is not something we should be doing. We should be looking forward, excited about a horse like Hallowed Crown as well as Sepoy and Helmet.”
