Robinson new Operations Manager

Swettenham Stud is pleased to announce the appointment of Jason Robinson as its operations manager in Victoria.

Robinson grew up on the Mornington peninsula and is looking forward to working with Swettenham owner Adam Sangster and general manager Brian Gorman. “I’ve known Adam and Brian going back 15 and 20 years,” Jason said. “I’ve often thought about working here but the timing just wasn’t right. Now that it’s a reality, I can’t wait to come back home.”

Robinson loved horses from the get-go and was on the pony circuit from an early age with his sisters. “I was already riding work for Peter Healy when I was 12,” he recalled. “I left school for the Commonwealth Bank but it wasn’t long before I wanted to get back outdoors.

“I was too big to ride by then so I began working at Eldon Park when Christoph Bruechert was the studmaster. That was a great learning curve and it whetted my appetite for a start in the Hunter Valley.”

Touching down at Coolmore Stud, Robinson absorbed the view from the very top with super-sire Danehill and the rest of the roster serving big, big books. “They were incredible days. There was never a break but it was fun. The foaling season was hectic with three separate units and I worked the off-seasons in England and America.”

After four years, Jason moved on to Arrowfield. “I arrived there at the same time Redoute’s Choice began covering his first book. From Danehill to Redoute’s - John Messara knew what he was doing."

By then, Tony Santic was building a showpiece on the outskirts of Geelong that would become Makybe. “I was there while it was under construction and then took over as stud manager from Dick Fowlston. That was a whirlwind with Makybe Diva winning those three Melbourne Cups.

“But the photo I’ve kept is the Cox Plate. It was a charge of the light-brigade on the corner and then Glen Boss let her down. That was an amazing win.”

After the cup euphoria, Robinson got down to the nuts and bolts of the racing industry as manager for Tony McEvoy and, most recently, he’s been based in Queensland with Glenlogan Park.

Robinson will come on board at Swettenham well in advance of the stud and foal season. "It’s an exciting time for Swettenham, especially launching Trust In A Gust. Adam has always supported Australian stallions and I’m thrilled to being part of the team at Nagambie.”