Thursday, 25th April 2024
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The thoroughbred industry lost one of its most respected men after prominent bloodstock agent Michael Stedman passed away at the age of 73 last week. According to nzb.co.nz, Stedman, one of the great characters of the industry, initially began his career outside of the racetrack working as a chemist alongside his father based in Terrigal, New South Wales. His passion for the racing industry ignited when he began bringing Australian racing enthusiasts across the Tasman to participate in stud tours throughout New Zealand during the 1980s. Stedman began purchasing horses from New Zealand Bloodstock sales in the late eighties, becoming an avid member of the New Zealand Bloodstock Agents Federation. Some of his most notable purchases included multiple Group One winner and Cox Plate hero El Segundo, who he secured from Ancroft Stud at the 2003 National Yearling Sale Series. Stedman also purchased superstar filly Let’s Elope as a tried horse. The daughter of Nassipour was later inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame after claiming four Group 1 victories, including the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup double. The respected judge also bought and sold many horses for father-son duo Lawrie and Caspar Fownes in Hong Kong. In recent times, Stedman was a part of the syndicate who race exciting Proisir mare Levante.
