When fourth-generation Queensland Thoroughbred breeder, Basil Nolan, arrived at the prestigious UK National Stud in Newmarket in January 2025 he embraced the chance to immerse himself in the rich heritage of the British Thoroughbred industry. What he discovered was more than just world-class breeders and bloodlines – it was a life-changing mix of learning, network-building and experiences that will shape his stewardship of his family's Thoroughbred breeding legacy.
As the recipient of the 2024 Les Young Scholarship, supported by the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program, Basil swapped life at his family farm, Raheen Stud, in south-east Queensland, for the opportunity to spend the first half of 2025 taking the UK National Stud's Level 3 Bloodstock Management Course. His studies were fused with hands-on experience working with top veterinarians and other industry professionals.
A study in contrasts
What struck Basil immediately were the differences between Australian and European breeding practices, shaped by vastly disparate climates, landscapes and operational scale.
"The end goal was the same, breeding horses to sell and then race, but the way they go about it is different. From the very start mares foal inside and there's lots of hands-on work, which is supported by a greater labour force there. They are hands-on with foals a lot earlier and more frequently in their formative days. It's all reflective of having less land, more people, and a variable climate," Basil said.
"It's hard to put into words how different it is, and that was a shock to the system, but it's been a brilliant lesson in keeping an open mind. It's shown me there's no right or wrong way and it's possible to learn from and apply many of the practical approaches I saw over there.
"It's been very beneficial for me to see how Europe operates, not only England but France and Ireland."
On the veterinary side of operations, Basil enjoyed getting up close to different treatment approaches and expanding his own husbandry techniques.
"I learned through the lectures and the tutorials there at the start and then went into more in-depth learning with experienced vets who all have their own tips. I was looking at how you would treat mares that struggle to go in foal or hold a pregnancy and not just the veterinary side, but how they deal with caring for legs and prevention and treatment of injuries and rehab," he said.
The opportunity to swap insights and paint a picture for his peers in the UK was another part of the experience.
"They are equally curious about how Aussies do it, as it's so different. Foaling mares outside rather than in a box is hard to imagine. We're two countries each doing our best in really different contexts."
Dreams made real
For Basil, having grown up in a multi-generational Australian breeding family, some of the most awe-inspiring moments were encounters with iconic horses and bloodlines that he had only seen from afar.
"It's been like a dream come true because I got to see Frankel, Dubawi and Kingman. These are horses that you hear about as a young boy in Australia, but to meet them and be face-to-face with arguably some of the best racehorses and best sires in the world, it's something you don't see every day. These are some of the deepest bloodlines in the Thoroughbred world," he said.
Similarly inspiring was the opportunity to engage with the bastions of British Thoroughbred breeding.
"I've been to various studs like Cheveley Park. I got to handle fantastically bred stock and have seen some of the best stallions in the world. Juddmonte and Godolphin have created these bloodlines over generations, and you see the results of their hard work on the racetrack. Their mares are second-to-none and the facilities they have are just unimaginable. You can see how much hard work and money they've put into this."
And with some top British horses becoming leading shuttle stallions in Australia, these bloodlines are having an exciting impact in Australian racing.
"I think it's more prominent now than ever after the success of Too Darn Hot and Harry Angel. This year we've seen Henry Longfellow and City of Troy. In New Zealand we have Auguste Rodin, Chaldean, and Paddington, and Vandeek's gone to Arrowfield Stud. We've just seen a massive influx of international stallions, and they're all champions in their own right."
Bringing it home
On the family stud in Queensland, Basil is back at work caring for the horses that are at the heart of it all with a new breadth of industry reference points to draw on.
His experience at the UK National Stud has complemented and enriched his business degree and given him new insights to bring to decision-making on the farm.
"You've got to make sure you're running a successful business as well as managing the farming side. I've shared my experiences overseas with my grandfather, grandmother, mother and my younger brother, and it's all taken into consideration to get the best outcome for our horses. It's already come in handy when talking about certain ways we're going to deal with a situation we might have on the farm," Basil said.
"My dad passed away, and this was what he loved doing. I'm the fourth generation along with my brother and my sister, which makes it even more special. I'm just happy that I share his love for the farm and hopefully can do as good a job as my forefathers."
Connections for life
As well as the support of his family, Basil has an expanded network of mentors whose wisdom he continues to draw on, as well as younger peers who offer mutual support as they progress in their chosen fields.
"I'd like to thank the National Stud, particularly Joe Bradley, the Head of Bloodstock. I really enjoyed spending a lot of time with him," Basil said.
"The wonderful thing about going over to England is that I was so fortunate to meet a lot of great people – younger people that are starting off their careers and a lot of people that have been around for a while and you can tap into their conversations when you see them at a sale or on a weekend at the races. I think meeting people, having a conversation and just seeing how they think and why they've been successful is such a valuable thing," he said.
"I went over there knowing two people and I came back with multiple new connections with those that are fully immersed in that world, contacts that I'll hopefully have for a lifetime. The highlight of my trip was meeting a new, diverse group that really are friends for life. I've got a home-away-from-home there, and they've become my English family."
Basil intends to keep these new bonds strong by reconnecting at Australia's key Thoroughbred industry events, as well as returning to England to continue developing his international industry relationships.
The Les Young legacy
At the heart of it all, Basil's UK scholarship experience has affirmed for him the passion and commitment within the Thoroughbred industry globally to operate at the highest standards.
"We're doing well promoting our equine welfare efforts and land stewardship, which is vital for maintaining our social license. I want racing to be around for my generation and for my children and grandchildren. I want it to be around forever, because it is a great industry," he said.
It's a vision that aligns with the long-term investment being made through the Les Young Scholarship.
"I'd like to thank Les Young and his family and AgriFutures for giving me this opportunity. I think when Les bequeathed these funds to the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program he did so with young adults in mind: to give them a chance to succeed doing something that they love. I think this is so important. You see a lot of great operators in the industry who were given a chance by someone who came before them," Basil said.
"Maybe one day I can give someone a chance in return. It's important that opportunities like this exist for young people because they can gain so much from it. It's opened my eyes and I'm a better person for it. I've got more experience and as a result I'll hopefully be a better operator and a better manager."
