Bruce Slade: A Visionary in the Thoroughbred Industry

Originally from South Africa, Slade emigrated to New Zealand in the late 90s. His uncle had run the renowned Summerhill Stallion and Breeding Farm in South Africa before migrating. Slade spent time on his family farm near Christchurch, where he learned about horse husbandry and pedigrees, becoming highly knowledgeable at an early age. By the time he was 13, he was committed to pursuing a full-time career in the equine industry.

Slade’s experience spans multiple countries, having worked with horses in New Zealand, South Africa, Dubai, China, England, Ireland, France, North America, Macau, Singapore, and Hong Kong. However, his primary focus has always been on achieving success within the Australian racing environment, and he conducts most of his research there.

In 2010, Slade moved to Sydney, where he formed a partnership with Waterhouse Bott Racing. During a Karaka sale, Gai Waterhouse approached him while he was bid spotting and offered him a job in Australia, where he later met his wife Natasha and raised three children.

From 2010 to 2014, Slade served as Bloodstock Manager for Gai Waterhouse Racing. In this role, he was responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and syndicating over 120 yearlings annually, managing more than $10 million in yearling purchases, and attracting over 1,800 clients. His dedication to securing top-tier athletes played a significant role in the stable’s success, with numerous high-class racehorses emerging during his tenure.

In 2015, Slade transitioned to Newgate Farm, initially as Director of Stallions and Sales, before being promoted to General Manager. At Newgate, he oversaw all aspects of the Hunter Valley-based stallion stud farm, helping to grow the farm’s income-generating stallion and consignment sectors. Under his leadership, Newgate Farm's stallion nominations and consignment sales generated more than $25 million annually, serving over 1,100 clients.

Slade is known for seeking value in horses while minimising risks through a combination of bio-mechanical advantages, temperament, raising conditions, and pedigree analysis.

At the 2025 Magic Millions, Kestrel Thoroughbreds, in collaboration with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing, partnered with American bloodstock agent John Stewart’s Resolute Bloodstock to secure the second top seller of the day for $1.6 million. Lot 256, a Home x Affairs x Champagne Cuddles Filly, was purchased for $1,050,000.

Most of their purchases at the sale were made in partnership with Bruce Slade’s Kestrel Thoroughbreds, but they also teamed up with Kia Ora Stud, Kurrinda Bloodstock, and Blueblood Thoroughbreds.

With a purchase of Lot 636 at Magic Millions for $700,000 of Maurice x Mallory Filly.

“Good, strong, forward filly with a lot of residuals to her. Structurally it looks like a filly who can add some value on the track as well. Her mother was in the Gimcrack, won the Widden, won the Slipper - she was good enough to be in all of those Princess Series races. She ran in the Flight Stakes. She was a really good two-year-old and trained on to be a nice three-year-old. The Maurice (side) probably just allows her to carry that speed over a bit further too. I’d love to think she’s a lovely autumn two-year-old type that will train on to be a Guineas filly at three, and the Flight Stakes. With her size and structure there’s no reason why she couldn’t make the weight-for-age improvement at four.”

Lot 931 I am Invincible Filly x Shoko Filly purchased for $700,000.

“By I Am Invincible who is a champion sire and a great sire of fillies, out of a Sebring mare and Sebring won the Slipper and she (this filly) a half to a Magic Millions winner so a lot of two-year-old speed and precocity there.”

On selecting and looking at the catalogue this year, Bruce says “It was a very strong year, 35% made a second look list, 10% rated a ‘buy’ mark, and above. A small number of these then failed the vet and then roughly half of these we were able to secure for the stable.”

Bruce also attended this year's Karaka Sales in New Zealand.

Purchasing Lot 19, a Savabeel x Irish Cream Filly for $300,000.

"Savabeel is currently the world’s leading active sire of Group 1 winners & we targeted his best progeny this year, as we feel they are value in the market. Outside of Orchestral’s full sister who made $2.4m, this filly ex Irish Cream was our pick of the Savabeel’s in NZ. She looks like the best Savabeel’s do & we loved her at $300k."

Lot 106 Noverre x Maxmara Filly for $160,000.

"Noverre’s first crop impressed us, sharing the same looks as their grandsire Savabeel. We had to beat a lot of leading Australian trainers to buy her as she is a very likely type bred on the same cross as Orxhestral & Savaglee, as was the Savabeel filly we purchased."

We asked him how Australian horses compare to New Zealand horses and horses worldwide.

“Australia has a great environment (warm and long sunlight hours) for breeding and raising top sprinters with large fast twitch muscle mass. Cooler climates like NZ, the UK, and the north of Japan (Hokkaido) translate to slower growth, leaner muscle, and more efficient runners over middle distances.”

On the best stallions worldwide?

“For turf racing I would say we (Australia) have the best genetics for speed (1000m-1400m). Europe and Japan for the middle distances. North America wins on dirt.”

Slade’s favourite stallion and mare?

“There are many for lots of different reasons. Pierro, Fiorente, Snitzel, Extreme Choice and Storm Boy Spring to mind right now in terms of entires. More Joyous and Platinum Jubilee in terms of mares that have delivered special memories, but I know I have missed a tonne of others for which I apologise.”

On Karaka 2025?

"A highly enjoyable sale to work, given the hospitality & ease of inspecting horses on the beautifully set Karaka grounds. The good horses made good money, so buying was not easy & we came away with less than anticipated, but we held firm to our values given the number of sales still to come."

What’s next for Kestrel Thoroughbreds?

“Just living in the present. Working on being at my best in every moment of the day so I can make the most of it for me, my family, friends and clients. For me that starts with nailing my morning routine so I am well prepared for what each day throws my way.”