Williamson continues family link in Great Southern

Claire Williamson was born and raised at Mungrup Stud and will stand Oratorio and A Lot (USA) in her own right at Narrikup this season.

Owners Gray and Jan Williamson have retained the Great Southern property and are delighted to have Claire maintain a family link that goes back more than 40 years.

“It’s a great opportunity for me,” Claire said on Thursday. “It was a lovely place to grow up learning and absorbing everything on the farm. I’m passionate about horses and I guess it’s a silver-lining for Mum and Dad and my three sisters.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”

After taking long-service leave recently, Claire returned home refreshed and is ready for a busy stud season albeit not on the same scale as recent years. Apart from a few old favourites, the stud will disperse its entire stock through Magic Millions in August.

“Oratorio is rising 20 and he’s not going anywhere,” Claire said. “He’s looking great and has been serving upwards of 50 mares a season. Buyers still love his yearlings. He had a 90% clearance rate at the Perth Magic Millions in February and they averaged $58,000.”

A Lot (USA) will cover his third book this season. “His first foals look like athletes and many of them will be catalogued for our dispersal sale. He’s by Tapit and still holds the USA record for 1400m on turf.

“Dad has a great eye for a stallion and picked him out as perfect outcross for Australia. Mum was the rock we all depended on and I will miss her boundless energy around the farm – especially on foal watch.”

Service fees for Oratorio and A Lot (USA) will be announced soon and Claire will also maintain agistment facilities for clients who will back her to make a success of managing the new-look operation in the years ahead.

The latest news comes 24hrs after Playing God (Blackfriars) was sold to stand at Darling View Thoroughbreds. The transfer of I’m All The Talk (Stratum) is expected to be completed within days.

For further information, Claire Williamson can be contacted on 0417 914 605 and/or clairewilliamson88@hotmail.com

A LOT (USA) WITH CLAIRE WILLIAMSON