Tartan Field’s Hamish Esplin has been elected as President of Thoroughbred Breeders’ NSW. Having been a director since 2016 he takes over from Kooringal Stud’s Stuart Lamont.
The Esplin family have bred and raced high class racehorses for generations including recent four-time group winning mare White Moss who carried their well-known tartan colours to success twice in the ATC Sapphire Stakes (G2), as well as in the Millie Fox Stakes (G2) and The Nivison (G3).
Hamish has been a partner in Esplin Solicitors for the past decade and holds a Masters of Law from Sydney University. His work with Tartan Fields and his legal work in the thoroughbred breeding industry has covered employment issues, business and tax advice and bloodstock transactions including stallion acquisitions.
Hamish acknowledged the scope of the position of TBNSW President saying, "I'm honoured to be elected to the role and as the state with the largest population of breeders, and racehorses bred, I look forward to representing our members and helping with their needs in coming years. While the industry is in rude health there is always more to do in working with key stakeholders to improve all facets of the industry including rehoming of horses, attracting new participants as breeders or staff and promoting commercial interests across the board.”
Hamish paid tribute to outgoing President Stuart Lamont, "Stuart has been a wonderful voice of experience and knowledge as our President and importantly represented breeders from the southern region of NSW which TBNSW is keen to promote alongside the larger breeding district of the Hunter Valley and other regions in the state."
Caroline Searcy was elected as Vice President having been on the TBNSW Board for 13 years. Caroline is a small breeder with a passion for encouraging the uptake of thoroughbreds in the equestrian world and educating new owners about their care. She hosts and produces thoroughbred welfare program Thoroughbreds Are Go and Bred To Win, promoting the thoroughbred breeding industry nationally.
Outgoing TBNSW President Stuart Lamont commented, “TBNSW is fortunate to have a very dynamic board of directors and I would like to thank Hamish Esplin, Paddy Power, Caroline Searcy, Peter Orton, Vin Cox and Olly Tait for their support during my tenure as President.
My thanks to our very capable Executive Officer Julianne Christopher who has grown our membership significantly in 2021 and again accomplished a great deal for breeders in NSW.
Vin Cox and Olly Tait were re-elected as Directors of TBNSW.