.png)
Great times are never far from the household of David and Kathy smith, especially when there are horses involved. When walking into their house, you are encompassed by love and affection for horses. From the photos of the maiden
winners right through to the group one win, there is a particular spot for every occasion of joy and success. Something unique that has formed over the years for David and Kathy is friendship. The countless lifetime friends they've made have been the beautiful part of every high and low; having the people around to celebrate or support you is most notable for them. As great supporters of the industry, both breeding and racing, and David being the founder and director of Dunstan Feeds, he contributes heavily through his business. Behind The Stable Doors meets David and Kathy to talk about their involvement in the industry.
Growing up, an affinity for racing came naturally. David grew up living next to Te Rapa racecourse, and often attended race meetings during his childhood and grew an interest and later an obsession with horses and racing. On the other hand, Kathy's introduction to horses was through her cousin, who took her down to the Waihi Beach riding school, where she rode for 3 or 4 years. Later on, Kathy competed in the show ring, where she had great success.
For both of them, personally, their involvement in the industry stems from the passion and thrill they get from racing and sharing the joys with others. A common theme in their syndicates is that they are involved with an intimate group of friends. Doing this keeps their friendships strong, and they've travelled all over the country watching their horses surrounded by friends. David also enjoys this as a hobby and sideline of his business. As the founder and director of Dunstan Feeds, David has extensive involvement through his feed company and sponsorship of equine events. David supports both the business and personally, and Kathy gets absolute joy from seeing David so passionate for the industry he dedicates himself.
David and Kathy have been lucky enough to travel across the world and attend race meetings. They've been throughout New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, and Hong Kong are just a few places to name. Kathy's favourite racetracks are in New Caledonia, for the people and the experience. The environment at New Caledonia is second to none; the people make it. Over the years of visiting, David and Kathy have formed strong friendships across New Zealand and internationally over their time spent at the races.
David thoroughly enjoys the trips to New Caledonia because he enjoys being around the people like Kathy. The hype is high for the race day, especially when it's a big day because the people get stuck in and immerse themselves in the event and culture. He gets to enjoy the racing while getting a full-on local experience. This cultural experience was also highlighted when he and Kathy travel annually to Hong Kong. Above the quality racing on show, this is a fantastic local event with plenty of international eyes watching. Again, it's a great local experience that you don't get to experience every day. Coming home in New Zealand, they enjoy attending the regional meeting for similar reasons. When it's a big day for the respective club, it gives an extra thrill to the experience and being local racing David and Kathy also have the perks of attending the meetings with close friends.
Something quite special to David and Kathy is their position to racehorses in their registered colours. The colours originated from Waihi Beach, where David first had a horse in partnership with a local there who owned the rights to the colours. After she got older and out of racing, she gifted David her colours. They sat in the wardrobe for roughly thirty-forty years in David's name before he put them through the washing machine and raced his horses with Kathy in his colours. So there is a lot of history attached to the colours, which brings David quite a lot of pride.
David owned a share in Avantage (Nine-time Group One Winner) which was simply one of the 'greatest experiences' he has had in racing. A super mare that tried her best every time she went out on the track is one of the best horses we've seen recently. A credit to Te Akau and how well they operated and got the mare to do what she did and perform the way she did. Even now, talking about
Avantage, there's still a smile reminiscing on her career, and you can hear the joy in his voice. Bred by Willie and Karen Calder and present by the Oaks stud, all very close friends of David and Kathy, added a special touch. Ironically, David and Kathy headed to Karaka sales looking for a yearling to purchase a share in. they thought, well, why not buy into the horse their friends had bred. Regardless of their claim, they would have followed Avantage's career as the number one support crew, and then the pieces fell into the puzzle once David Ellis purchased the filly. There was no better outcome than to buy a share in the horse they would have been watching anyway.
David's tremendous success, on a personal note, has a runner in the Melbourne Cup. It was undoubtedly an outstanding achievement and a very rare feat to achieve, looking back on reflection. For Kathy, racing and breeding are not that easy, so any success is a great success. They have both been on an extraordinary journey in an industry littered with success. The greatest joy has been owning and breeding winners and how long it has been sustained over time. The people have been a particular part, sharing it and enjoying the success and ride with others. Regardless of winners, money, and successes, it comes back to sharing the ride with people who want it just as much as you.
As Director and Founder of Dunstan Feeds, we popped in a few questions about the company to learn more about it. David worked for an animal health company; his boss left to set up and cat and dog food company. They could see a market for a horse feed company, and they approached David to come for the journey. His extensive knowledge and passion for the industry it was a colossal asset. The goals were simple initially to sustain enough income to provide a living. However, the risk of taking this on was huge, and there was no going back. To now look at where he is, even I am proud of everything he has achieved as a family friend. Currently, Dunstan Feeds operates in New Zealand, Hong Kong, Japan, New Caledonia, and other pacific countries and employs thirty-eight staff providing them all with a great life and good support. Like personal - professionally, David is incredibly proud of the friendships and relationships he's created and continued, and some have been ongoing for nearly 40 years, a remarkable feat.
When coming up with concepts for new feeds David and his team receive feedback from his reps about potential new products that could be a potential for something upcoming. For example, they can receive ten suggestions of a product; they might pick up on one and then discuss what it may be and its purpose. Next, the nutritionist gets involved and draws a plan of a product and what the suitable diet would be. Next, the marketing team will draw up the bag designs (colours, size, names). From there, if it's pursuable, they'll have some made as a sample and send it for a trial. Finally, they'll produce the product for sale if it's a success. The initial suggestion to the effect on the shelf can take up to eighteen months.
A vital part of the business is sponsorship. Dunstan feeds sponsor a vast amount across thoroughbred racing, trots, eventing, show-jumping, and dressage, to name a few. The inspiration comes from the participants, that if Dunstan can support people in sponsorship through clubs and prizes, inevitably that goes back to the people who so desperately deserve it. If Dunstan can help, they will. They also sponsor the trainer of the year at the NZTR horse of the year awards. For his contributions to the industry, David received the NZTR Award for Oustanding Contribution to Racing for his business and personally for his support of the racing and breeding industry.
A tremendous success within Dunstan Feeds has been the growth. Initially, when Dunstan Feeds first started, David could fit the week's orders in the back of a mini, and he would go around delivering the feed himself. The product is shipped to Hong Kong, Japan, New Caledonia, Pacific Islands, and nationally throughout New Zealand. In reflection, what David has created and grown is out of this world and something to admire.
David and Kathy are some of the most supportive people in the racing industry. They make it a significant priority to support the sector through racing and breeding personally and professionally through David's business. There is no shortfall with them; they continually invest, get friends and family involved, and share the joy and experience with others. While they've had great success with horses like Avantage, they show the true greatness of what the industry can provide, the love of the horse, and friendships and memories. Getting others involved is a special touch to what they do with their horses. Not only do they delve into the joy, but they get to be amongst it with close friends, and whether it's a maiden or a group, they're all celebrated equally and provided great thrills. The industry is forever in debt to people like David and Kathy.
Comments