Yesterday
was a sad day for many of us in the racing and breeding industry as news
filtered through that Steve Brem had passed away following a long and
determined battle with cancer.
Far too young to go at age 67, Steve had an incredible breadth of knowledge of
thoroughbreds and was always prepared to offer his thoughts and share that
knowledge with others.
I first knew Steve when he came to work for Gai Waterhouse as her Bloodstock
and Racing Manager back in the days when I was riding out for her in the mornings and working
at Inglis as a pedigree consultant.
Over the years our paths crossed at sales and the races as his career moved
towards bloodstock consultancy post the Gai Waterhouse years and mine to the
creation of Breednet and children!
His advice was always valuable, insightful and entirely his own, Steve called a
spade a spade and if you didn't like that so be it.
I will miss his emails and cutting assessments… 'that stallion is not fit to
perpetuate the breed!'
A year ago my son Jack started riding a giant grey Snitzel gelding who now stands
at 17.3 hands, a horse that piqued his interest as Steve remembered him well from
his yearling inspections… 'ah yes, gave him the lowest rating I give a
yearling, it equates to unfortunate to be born, thank goodness it can jump!'
In recent times when his health allowed, Steve was active at the sales
assisting Denise Martin with her yearling selections for Star Thoroughbreds and two of those purchases will chase Group I glory at Randwick this Saturday
in D'Argento and Fiesta.
If you are at Randwick this Saturday… I fancy Steve will be there too.