European-Bred Success With Geoffrey Russell

Geoffrey Russell | Keeneland

 

In this series, the TDN catches up with European expatriats working in the Thoroughbred industry around the world. Today's installment features Geoffrey Russell of Keeneland.

Hometown? Sutton, Dublin, not a hot bed for Thoroughbreds in Ireland.

How did you end up where you are now? Being in the right place at the right time! After college, I worked a season at Coolmore and bid spotted at Goffs. I came to Kentucky in July 1982 as a 3 month summer intern at Fasig-Tipton, not knowing a soul in Lexington. I had not planned on staying longer, but was fortunate to be in Kentucky when the commercial market exploded and was offered a full time job at Fasig-Tipton. Then I worked for Jack Kent Cooke's Elmendorf Farm, returning to Fasig-Tipton before joining Keeneland Sales in September 1996 as Rogers Beasley's assistant. I was appointed Director of Sales in July 2001.

What have you found to be the major difference between racing/breeding in America and your home country? The most obvious thing was the speed of everything, not only the auctioneers but throughout the entire industry. In Europe in the 1980's, it was more of a sport than a business but here in North America it was more of a business than a sport. Now it is highly commercial on both sides of the Atlantic. The sales agency business was in its infancy when I came here in 1982 and there were more breeders selling their own stock like they did in Ireland. Now we are seeing more professional sales agencies and less breeders selling their own stock. Obviously growing up in Europe where most racing is done on turf it took some time to adjust to dirt racing, which I now enjoy. Today both in Europe and North America, we were are seeing a polarization in the industry, e.g. larger stallion books for certain stallions, and larger concentration of horses with fewer trainers, etc.

Name one home comfort that you miss? There are two. National Hunt Racing and a well poured pint of Guinness.

Favourite sport or hobby outside of racing? Golf, as in the past I have been a poor golfer. Travelling and reading.

What would you say is your proudest accomplishment? Becoming the Director of Sales at Keeneland, the largest auction sales company in the world; a major accomplishment for a lad from North Dublin who growing up had no connections in the Thoroughbred Industry. This is something that could only happen in the USA.

 

 

Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.

Copy Article Link

X

Never miss another story from the TDN

Click Here to sign up for a free subscription.