Client Spotlight - Jason & Andrea Bridgford

They may be one of the newest standardbred breeders on the scene in New Zealand, but Jason and Andrea Bridgford are no strangers when it comes to producing elite sport horses.

Based in Awanui, just seven kilometres north of Kaitaia, Andrea has had a longstanding passion for horses and is renowned for producing some of the best sport ponies and still stand their own stallion, BE Supreme (Ares) who is based in Canterbury.

Bridgford sport ponies have excelled in jumping in New Zealand and have become sought after over the years.

“Andrea was studying in Christchurch as a teenager and came across Winward Rebel, who she was able to acquire. She used him to breed and he had great grand prix jumping lines through his pedigree,” Jason said.

“She produced lots of really good ponies, which she was able to sell and then as that stallion was getting on Andrea was able to put him over a mare by Heriocity, who also had a great jumping pedigree. And that’s how she got Ares, so we thought we would keep him and offer him at stud.”

On the racing front however, Jason had always had a passing interest in following it, but that was mainly on the television.

And it was on holiday the racing dream awoke for the couple.

“We were staying at an AirBnB just out of Cambridge, and it was at a farm that bred thoroughbred racehorses,” Jason explained.

“The owners showed us around and showed us their mare they were breeding from, that they had raced themselves. Their story was really exciting and it made us think that we could actually make a go of it rather than just dreaming about it.”

Following that stay, Jason and Andrea looked into ownership and became involved with Off N Racing Syndication with Andrew Fitzgerald.

Ownership of a racehorse offered a whole new insight into the equine industry.

“For me I’ve been involved with the horses kind of by proxy with Andrea’s passion, but that’s why getting into a syndicate and racing Meg was so much fun,” Jason said.

“We get to go and see the horses race when we can in Auckland and pat them, and feel involved. “

“It’s been great to experience racing first hand and actually be able to go to the stable and see the horse, not just following one racing on a screen. It really is a whole new perspective.”

“It’s also really social, we’ve been able to meet other syndicate members and get to know them. It’s been a really fun process for us both.”

Their first racehorse, Monaro Meg, was a consistent race mare, winning one and placing 12 times.

By Imperial Count, Monaro Meg is out of Monaro Miss, who herself was a tough campaigner winning seven races and placed at listed level. 

Monaro Meg

Following the end of her racing career, Jason and Andrea jumped at the chance to breed from her.

“We approached Andrew to see if it would be possibly, and he was more than happy for us to have her and give her a home after racing.”

Then the learning curve of breeding standardbreds began, with the first job to find somewhere to send Monaro Meg to stud.

After discussions with Darryl Brown of Wai Eyre Farms, the mare was sent south to her new home in North Canterbury.

Working with Wai Eyre Farm has made things easy for the Bridgfords, despite their remote location.

“Wai Eyre has been wonderful to deal with, as soon as we needed somewhere for Meg to go Darryl and the team were more than happy to help out.”

“Because we are still new to this side of breeding, they were really helpful when it came to getting her down from race fit to let down for breeding condition, even though it was getting on in the season.”

“Plus once we had trouble with the frozen semen aspect, they were great at helping us with the fresh semen side with On A Streak.”

“We wanted to go to Tactical Landing, but being her first season she had some issues with the frozen semen. Dancingonmoonlight Farm told us that trying fresh semen was our best option.”

“So we spoke to Darryl and the Yabby Dam Farms team and they suggested On A Streak, as his lines crossed really well with Meg and offered some good speed for her.”

After a bit of a bumpy start to their breeding career, the Bridgfords served Monaro Meg with On A Streak and to their delight received a positive test.

And even though they are based so far up country, that never made them feel far away.

“We may be up in the far north, but the communication from Wai Eyre is great and we know they genuinely want the best results for us and our horses.”

“When thing weren’t working out initially everyone we spoke to were so helpful all the way through.”

And while the wait is on for their first foal to hit the ground, the Bridgfords still have plenty of excitement ahead with Off N Racing syndicate horses competing.

This week they have Grettymac racing at Rangiora, and Smackdown lining up in the Group One Northern Oaks.

That’s enough of a distraction to keep them busy until foaling in December. But it’s a journey they are loving.

“Now we have Meg and she’s in foal, we just have the waiting game for it to arrive.”

“We’re so excited to be involved in this breeding experience, and look forward to adding more horses to the story as we go.”

“We are breeding to sell initially, but we would love to race one of our own one day too. That’s the big dream that.”

“Maybe that’s in syndication as an option and share the experience with others.”