Joe Walls' viewpoint of the New Zealand racing industry over the last five decades is about as unique as could be.
As the country's leading Thoroughbred auctioneer for many years, Walls watched as the breeding industry flourished and developed through many different eras.
The charismatic industry great didn't just sell the horses though, his fingerprints are spread wide throughout New Zealand breeding bloodlines thanks to his work with various stud masters importing some of our greatest stallions and broodmares.
Alongside Sir Patrick Hogan, Walls was instrumental in the acquisition of legendary stallion Sir Tristram for Cambridge Stud and upon reflection, he acknowledges that is who his favourite stallion of all time would be.
"Sir Tristram would have three or four winners in a group one race and he would trifecta it, that was quite phenomenal ... those sort of feats were not even known those days."
"He was an amazing stallion and of course his broodmares bred on as well and his sire sons, we all know about Zabeel, he set up the whole dynasty," Walls explains with pure admiration.
Currently the Chairman of New Zealand Bloodstock, the retired auctioneer is optimistic about the future of Kiwi breeding sector but also realistic that there is a big job that lays ahead which includes the wider racing industry evolving as one.
