Young Guns — Harvey Bell

Young Guns is a series where we endeavour to find out more about some of the young professionals in the industry. Today we speak with Tattersalls Bloodstock Executive and Auctioneer Harvey Bell

TDN: What was your path into the industry?

HB: Although I grew up just outside of Newmarket my family had no previous involvement in racing. Our neighbours ran a small farm at Millfields Stables–I began mucking out for pocket money and quickly gained more of an interest in the horses I was working with. At 18, I travelled to work for a year at Arrowfield Stud in Australia followed by stints at Cheveley Park Stud, McKeever St Lawrence Bloodstock, Gerard Butler Racing and Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky. Whilst in Kentucky, the position at Tattersalls was advertised and I had to jump at the opportunity. I began my current role in early 2012.

TDN: Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

HB: I have been very lucky to have spent time learning from some great people and I can't underestimate the impact of the early opportunities I was given. Sam Fairgray taught me am awful lot during my time at Arrowfield. Chris Richardson and Andrew Snell at Cheveley Park were always very supportive and Case Clay at Three Chimneys Farm gave me the opportunity to develop my skills in the commercial side of bloodstock.

TDN: What does your role involve?

HB: I deal with our vendors on a daily basis. This ranges from sourcing entries and the production of our catalogues to being a member of the Inspection team who travel far and wide to appraise young stock. I am also privileged to be able to take to the Tattersalls Rostrum during the sales and form part of our roster of Auctioneers.

TDN: What challenges do you face in your role?

HB: Managing the quantity of horses we sell each year is a challenging aspect of the role–in just my time at Tattersalls we are now cataloguing nearly 1,000 more horses a year than in 2012. This presents not only logistical challenges, but also the need to ensure that we work hard to promote to as many different markets as possible.

TDN: What advice would you give your 16-year-old self?

HB: Never be afraid to put yourself out there, some opportunities present themselves to you but often the best ones require you to be proactive.

TDN: What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the industry and how would you solve it?

HB: Future proofing our sport. This is a wide-ranging topic that encompasses everything from the workforce to the occasional racegoer. We have an incredible product that draws in people from far and wide; however, racing will need to continue to adapt to modern trends.

Anything that helps to promote our sport to a wider audience should be embraced. We should be aiming to turn the casual racegoer into one who follows the sport on a more regular basis. We need a captivated younger audience who then may want to follow a career path into the Industry and at the very least remains fans of the sport. There are a number of good initiatives out there along these lines; however, we shouldn't rest on our laurels.

TDN: What do you think horse racing's perception is for the general public?

HB: As attendance figures show, racing remains a popular pastime for the general public and that is a testament to the appeal of the product we have. Whilst the racedays provide the 'shop-window,' I think a lot of people do not understand that massive industry that is there behind the scenes and that area can often seem less accessible to the general public. That being said, events such as Newmarket Open Day have gone a long way into improving this.

TDN: How would you attract more young people into the workforce?

HB: It is important that racing appeals to people from a young age so that there can be a natural progression from that interest into a career path. I think educating schools, colleges and universities is also key. I remember that my college Tutor had a lack of any knowledge of the racing and bloodstock industries and providing these institutes with more information on the roles and pathways available to young people can only be a positive step.

TDN: Who is your favorite racehorse of all time and why?

HB: Pachattack (Pulpit) was a very special filly that I will always remember. She was a great character to work with and I was working in the USA the when she placed in 3 consecutive Grade Is. Being there when she finished third in the Breeders' Cup is a moment that will live long in my memory.

TDN: Tell us something about yourself that not many people would know.

HB: I am Chairman of Newmarket Rugby Club and a member of the senior playing squad. It is a role that takes up a lot of my spare time but something I find particularly rewarding.

TDN: What would you like to achieve in the next 5 years?

HB: I would like to continue to develop my auctioneering skills. Being up on the rostrum is something I greatly enjoy and a unique experience. I am lucky that the team of auctioneers we have here are an incredible group to work with and learn from.