About
Lee ann Imboden
Swiss born and raised, Lee Ann graduated as the top student at one of Switzerland’s leading private schools with a first class Academic Baccalaureate, major Economics and Law. Her thesis - ‘The horse in the Swiss animal protection law - About the legal protection of the dignity and welfare of the horse. Evaluation of the existing law and the necessity of amendments to the law’ - won several accolades.
A skilled horsewoman and rider, Lee Ann’s passion for the Thoroughbred industry ignited at The White Turf in Switzerland. After completing her studies in Switzerland, Lee Ann gained her first industry experience at Curraghmore Stud in New Zealand, where she was involved in all aspects of the operation.
Wanting to gain more in-depth knowledge of the equine and Thoroughbred industry, she then moved to the United Kingdom to pursue an equine degree. Whilst completing her degree and after graduating, she worked for various equine establishments including stud farms, private/hunting yards and racing stables. Lee Ann also worked as a leader at all major bloodstock sales across Europe and assisted agents such as Ed Sackville and Jeremy Brummitt (the year he bought Russian Camelot). After a stint as a breaking/breeze-up assistant at Jamie Lloyd’s Far Westfield Farm, she returned to Overbury Stud as a Coverings Manager for the breeding season.
In 2017, Lee Ann graduated as the top student with a First Class Honours in ‘BA Equine Studies’ from Coventry University. Her first class dissertation thesis - ‘Investor demographics and psychographics in the Thoroughbred Yearling Market’ was runner-up in the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) Equine Thesis of the Year Award 2017.
Lee Ann returned to New Zealand to manage Curraghmore's yearling draft as a Yearling Manager, after which she moved to Australia where she worked for Ciaron Maher Racing for five years. Lee Ann played a key role during years marked by enormous business transformation and growth, seeing her progress from Client & Owner Experience Manager to Bloodstock Manager. During this time, she was exposed to a long list of elite horses such as Away Game, Bella Nipotina, Coolangatta, Gold Trip, Hitotsu, Loving Gaby and Sir Dragonet.
Developing and nurturing existing client relationships as well as establishing new ones, has provided Lee Ann with a great network in the Australian horseracing industry. She has gained invaluable experience in acquiring and placing bloodstock through targeted planning, communication and advising as well as syndication and marketing. After a tenure as Cape Schanck Stud’s Racing Manager, Lee Ann has established Sceptre Bloodstock to capitalise on her enthusiasm for bloodstock.
sceptre bloodstock
The word ‘sceptre’ is reminiscent of majesty and Sceptre the horse was exactly that as one of the best fillies to ever grace the British turf. Born in 1899 and impeccably bred by the first Duke of Westminster, Sceptre was out of Ornament, a full-sister to the Duke’s unbeaten Triple Crown champion, Ormonde, and by Persimmon who had won the Derby and St. Leger for King Edward VII.
Sceptre’s Classic campaign in 1902 of competing in what are now five G1 races over 15 days augmented her legendary status. The filly won both the 2,000 Guineas and two days later the 1,000 Guineas in then record times, ran a hard luck fourth in the Derby, only to canter home in the Oaks two days after, won the St. James Palace Stakes, ran second in the Sussex Stakes, before winning the Nassau Stakes and St. Leger. Sceptre remains the only horse in history to win four English Classics.
Befittingly, Sceptre Bloodstock is an exclusive female bloodstock agency named after an empress of the turf. Lee Ann’s professional exposure covers the whole cycle from coverings and stud work, over sales preparation and presentation to breaking and training. She now has years of experience in sourcing, acquiring and placing bloodstock, be it through on-farm and bloodstock sales attendance or privately/online. Sceptre Bloodstock offers targeted Thoroughbred investment advice following a meticulous and committed approach with Swiss precision and integrity.
