Vale, Steve Brem

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.