Clive Webb-Carter has been involved in the thoroughbred bloodstock industry for 13 years.
Having grown up with horses Clive spent his first year after school on the leading New-Zealand Stud Farm Fayette Park, in the process cementing his bond with bloodstock that was to become his career.
On returning to England Clive spent the next two breeding seasons on The Royal Studs in Norfolk under the tutorship of manager, Sir Michael Oswald. It was while working around some of the most prestigious broodmare in the world that Clive became fascinated with pedigrees. This added with the fact that both Shirley Heights and Bustino were the two resident stallions meant that Clive could not have better grounding into the industry.
In between the two seasons at The Royal Studs Clive went to do a summer with one of the leading International consignors, Ted Voute. Here Clive learned the value of selling bloodstock commercially and appreciating the work that goes into selling a horse at the top end of the market.
Clive then spent his third breeding season in Newmarket at historic Side Hill Stud which was then managed by John Warren. With Side Hill being a leading public stud of Newmarket Clive came into contact with more of the countries leading broodmares. This added to Clive’s interest in pedigrees that was soon to become a passion.
Clive then completed a diploma in farm management at the Royal Agricultural College which took two years with the holidays filled working with John Warren Bloodstock. This gave Clive a real insight of what the bloodstock market was. Spending time working on and studying sales catalogues offered a massive learning curve.
The next two seasons Clive acted as a Pupil-Assistant to leading Flat trainer John Dunlop. Clive learnt a great deal on the racing side of the industry while at Castle Stables and working around such horses as Sakhee, Silver Patriot, Olden Times and Claxon.
The following year, 2001, Clive spent in Kentucky, the capital of thoroughbred breeding, at the famous Mill Ridge Farm. Clive thrived on his time in America, having been involved in all aspects of the farm including the foalings. He spent many hours in the evenings studying the pedigrees of the horses he was involved with which included the likes of Gone West, Diesis, Windsharp, Turko’s Turn, Sharp Cat, Keepers Hill etc. It was during the year of 2001 that Kentucky suffered from MRLS. During this time Clive became heavily involved in the nursing of sick foals and it furthered his knowledge of the industry.
Having broken his back due to a yearling accident Clive returned to England and followed his passion to work with leading pedigree journalist James Underwood. It was while with James that Clive was not only able to extend his knowledge of bloodlines but learn how to use it. While with James, Clive researched every maiden and pattern placed horse in England, Ireland and on the French Paris tracks. In doing so Clive was able to memorise all bloodstock families old and new. To this day still Clive Webb-Carter Bloodstock Services compiles the pedigrees for the European Racing and Breeding Digest.
By now Clive knew that his fascination and passion for bloodlines was where his future lay. In 2002 Clive went back the Newmarket to work for Barnes Thompson as assistant editor to www.thoroughbredinternet.com.. Here Clive’s knowledge of pedigree advanced even more as he was responsible for keeping the Worldwide Stakes database up to date as well as putting together the results pages for magazines including Pacemaker. Clive was with Barnes Thompson until September 2005 when he formed Clive Webb-Carter Bloodstock Services.