HEY BIG SPENDER!

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SHEIKH MOHAMMED is set to complete the biggest bloodstock deal in history with the purchase of the entire holdings of Bob Ingham's Woodland's Stud, Australia's largest and most successful owner-breeder operation.

The deal, which is subject to approval by Australia's Foreign Investment Review Board, includes around 9,000 acres and 1,000 horses, for a reported A$400-500 million (approx £229m).

The purchase dwarfs the Aga Khan's purchase of the Lagardere family's operation in 2005 for an estimated €40-50 million (approx £38m) and previous catches by Sheikh Mohammed's gilded net, such as the sweep of the late Gerald Leigh's bloodstock - including 22 mares, 11 yearlings and 16 horses in training - for an estimated £35 million in 2003, or the acquisition of the late Fahd Salman's yearlings following the Saudi Arabian prince's death in 2001.

It also vastly increases the scope of the Sheikh's global racing ambitions, which enjoyed significant expansion in Japan and the United States last year.

The racehorse holdings, estimated at 300-400 horses by Sheikh Mohammed's bloodstock adviser John Ferguson, are highlighted by last season's Golden Slipper winner Forensics, who resumed her winning ways in the Group2 Golden Rose Stakes this month.
Another potential star, Camarilla, defeated the sheikh's ill-fated private purchase Meurice in the Group 1 AJC Sires Produce Stakes last year.

The purchase also includes around 300 broodmares, 200 foals and 200 yearlings, as well as several stallions headed by Commands, a current top-ten sire and son of Danehill, and Woodlands' homebred Horse of the Year Lonhro. Lonhro's esteemed sire Octagonal is also part of the package.

The property comprises twostuds in New South Wales - the main Woodlands Stud, spanning 6,200 acres, a stud of 2,500 acres in Cootamundra, Crown Lodge training centre at Warwick Farm in Sydney, and two pre-training centres.

Peter Snowden, who took over from John Hawkes as Woodlands' private trainer in October, will continue in that capacity for Sheikh Mohammed, in whose familiar maroon and white silks the newly acquired horses will compete. The 230 staff employed by Woodlands will all be offered jobs by Darley.

Fantastic news


and surely this man should be acknowledged for his services to racing

Wow!

Pity they have not learnt you to buy a yearling. Each year they spend 40+ million
dollars, breed their own and still have to buy out horses to run in the group races.The Irish spend lots but far less and have as much success.The Sheiks best years with a relatively small string was when the horses were trained by Henry Cecil etc.
I think the big mistake they make is that they ship young horses off to the UAE to miss the severe English winter.All animals need proper seasons for growth.
Nuture provides that. Mike Bass does not cart his 2yo to Durban to miss a wet Cape Town and his results prove him correct.

mAYBE JOOSTE senses maktoum family buyout in South Africa hense his investment.
Wll sell at a profit. i doubt it he has to much pride to sell out to Sheik mohammed.