Coolmore Buys Iconic Australian Strawberry Hill Stud

Coolmore is the new custodian of longtime breeder John Singleton's renowned Strawberry Hill Stud property on the New South Wales central coast. Singleton, 81, made the snap decision to disperse his breeding stock, homed at Strawberry Hill Stud at Mount White, at an on-property sale last month, and Sept. 26 Tom Magnier, Coolmore Australia's principal, was announced as the buyer of the lavish, 190-acre property. The purchase price was undisclosed but at the time of Singleton's public disclosure of his intentions to sell Strawberry Hill, it was mooted to be worth in the vicinity of AU$25 million-$30 million (US$16-19 million). Magic Millions, which also ran Singleton's on-farm dispersal of his bloodstock interests, and Donovan & Co's Clint Donovan brokered the sale of Strawberry Hill Stud. Magnier expressed his pleasure to have purchased such a showpiece property as an aside to Coolmore's Jerrys Plains operation. "When you see the time, effort, and passion that John and his family have put into this farm, it's taken decades to develop a farm to this standard and with that it is impossible to replicate," said Magnier. "No stone was left unturned and the attention to detail is something we noticed the minute we first drove in. "It is a huge thing for Coolmore to be able to continue the legacy that John has built; it's a historic property that has the famous results on the board. It is truly one of the most iconic properties in Australia." The intention is for Coolmore to use Strawberry Hill as a spelling operation for its team of racehorses, a portfolio that includes Golden Slipper (G1)-winning colt Shinzo (AUS). "We have had lots of success at Coolmore with breakers including Shinzo, Fangirl, Jacquinot, and Home Affairs, and we want to complete that circle by having the best place to spell them at Mount White," said Magnier. "We have searched for a long time to find the right place. When we saw what John had created, it was a huge thrill to end up with it and be given this opportunity to continue John's legacy." Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch believed it was a testament to Singleton that a leading thoroughbred breeder bought the farm. "One of the most successful Thoroughbred breeding and racing operations globally, Coolmore identified from first inspection this property was world-class and an opportunity not to be missed," he said. Confirmation of the sale of Strawberry Hill Stud follows last month's on-farm dispersal sale that resulted in 55 Lots selling for an aggregate of AU$15.497 million, with Miss Fabulass (AUS) making a top price of AU$1.85 million to the bid of Yulong.