His grandfather managed studs for the late Queen Elizabeth II and his father has a notable track record as a bloodstock agent, so for Conor Norris a life in racing was perhaps inevitable. But he has gone his own way to a degree, and combines his role on Darley's nominations team with his hobby of running the syndicate Keep Kicking Racing.
How did you first become involved/interested in racing and bloodstock?
I was born and raised around a family passionate about racehorses and heavily involved in the industry. My grandfather, Sean, is a fantastic horseman who worked for HM the Queen from 1969 to 2004, with seven years as stallion man at Sandringham before managing Hampton Court and Polhampton Studs. My father, Liam, was also a stud manager for several years and a bloodstock agent who has purchased a number of Group 1 winners. My mother, Sarah, rode in point-to-points and now works with George Windsor-Clive, and [stepmother] Jenny is the manager of Norris Bloodstock. It was only ever going to be racing and bloodstock for me, and I am very lucky to have picked up useful insights from some of the best horsemen and women out there.
What does your role at Darley entail and how did you get to where you are today?
I'm on the nominations team at Dalham Hall Stud. It's a fantastically varied job that includes lots of pedigree research, assessing stock, and client relations. I get to sell the best stallions in Europe to the best breeders in Europe, and it's great fun. I work with a team of incredibly knowledgeable people, and I feel like I come home every day having learned something new.
I worked on a number of farms growing up, including Whitsbury Manor Stud. I graduated with a degree in Business and Management before completing the BHA graduate programme and entering a placement with Great British Racing in London. I made a conscious effort to get as much experience in as many places as possible. There were endless written letters asking for some unpaid experience that all contributed to widening my eyes to the entire industry and letting me explore different avenues. I spent a year in Australia at Arrowfield Stud before coming back home and commencing a job with Marco Botti as pupil assistant. I am exceedingly fortunate to have the job I do now
What prompted you to set up Keep Kicking Racing?
I was always mad keen to set up a venture of my own from a young age. The syndicate is my hobby and I absolutely love it. When I first started Keep Kicking Racing, the farm was producing some nice fillies that, in my opinion, weren't making their true market value, so I set up the syndicate to lease one and race her. Our first runner was a second-generation Norris homebred named Vaunted (GB) (Ardad {Ire}), who I sent to Clive Cox. The master trainer won with her on debut. The model of the syndicate has changed slightly over the years; now shareholders purchase equity in the horses I source at the sales as opposed to leasing. We've had some unbelievable luck on the track, winning 13 races, including a number of good maidens and novices, and had a Group 3 runner, all with horses that cost less than £20,000. The syndicate is run to try and make a profit, but we as a collective enjoy the journey more than anything.
How have you found the response to syndicate ownership? Has it been hard to find shareholders?
It's very hard initially; getting new owners is tricky, but I'm forever grateful that the retention rate of shareholders is high. We've been doing the syndicate now for over four years, and the first people to show an interest back in 2019/2020 are still with me. I hope soon I can find them the big horse they deserve.
If you were handed a hypothetical £100,000 sales voucher to be spent at any of the sales – be that yearlings, foals, or mares – what would you look for?
I'd love to buy a nice stakes filly from a good family and send her back to Norris Bloodstock, but I would most likely buy four £25,000 yearlings that are nice models from good smaller breeders and with mile to middle-distance pedigrees. The best days I've had in this game have been when I've been involved with winners on the track; I never want to lose sight of that. I want to be buying the best and breeding the best racehorses without breaking the bank. You have to play at the top table to hit the big time, but I have had a lot of luck with trading horses on that have been cheap yearling purchases, so I'd back myself to find some sort of value.
Who's the best horse you've ever been involved with?
I've managed to work with some fantastic horses hands-on. Giavellotto (Ire) in Newmarket, Profondo (Aus) in Australia, and Glorious Journey (GB), Shalaa (Ire), Saffron Beach (Ire), and Dancing Rain (Ire) are all Norris purchases or graduates. It's very cool being able to nip down and see Dubawi (Ire), Too Darn Hot (GB), and co every day. People sometimes forget just how exceptional these stallions are.
The most special horse to me in my career so far would be Maximilian Caesar (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). Bought for £10,000, we sold him to Australia last year rated 97, and he was magic. We won some nice races with him, including an 8½-length demolition at Doncaster as a three-year-old. I had a part to play in sourcing the horse as a yearling, breaking him in, training, managing the syndicate that owned him, driving the box to the races, and saddling him. He also won a Class 2 at the St Leger meeting ridden by Stefano Cherchi, who was a phenomenal talent in the saddle and a great friend who we will all miss massively. Those are days I will never forget. I'm delighted Maximilian's new owners have sent him to Dom Sutton down in Australia, who is a young name to note in the training ranks in Melbourne.
Who has had the biggest influence on your career to date?
Marco Botti. I went to work for Marco very green and clueless about the life of a trainer but instantly respected him. He might be one of the most hard-working people I've ever dealt with, first on the yard in the morning and last to leave every day. He is an unbelievable assessor of a horse's physique and movement, and I learned loads about managing horses' soundness in training through him and excellent vet Pete Ramzan. Marco's attention to detail is admirable, and he never misses a thing. He checks every horse in his care every evening, and if he isn't happy with the way something is done, he does it himself. Above all, he respects and rewards those that work hard for him. I was so lucky to say that after a few years with him, I had the opportunity to do everything; I learned an awful lot. Not just as a horseman, but as a businessman as well.
How do you feel the bloodstock industry could encourage more of the younger generation to get involved in breeding?
A few more of those £100,000 sales vouchers would help! I'm a huge advocate for syndicates, allowing people to get involved in a smaller, less financially risky way. I think there's some real scope for mare syndication in the future, and it might be something I will explore.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Richard Kent: “Everything should always be for sale.” If you don't trade when the time is right, it's a very tricky game to thrive in.
If you could swap places with one person in racing or breeding for one day, who would it be and why?
Kieran Shoemark. One thing I've never been much good at is riding; very minimal style, and I think I spent more time on the floor as a child than on the horse's back. I respect a talented jockey so much, and I am lucky to be good mates with a few. They're all proper athletes with considerable dedication. I wouldn't mind having that feeling of passing the post in the lead just once, and I think KS will be passing the post in the lead a lot over the next few years.
Give us one horse to follow for the remainder of the Flat season…
Daylight (Fr) (Earthlight {Ire}). The winner of the G3 Prix de Cabourg and third in the G1 Prix Morny, this filly is a smart prospect.
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