Farrington recruited to help Phoenix Thoroughbreds expand Australian arm

International racing and breeding player Phoenix Thoroughbreds has enlisted the services of Newmarket-based bloodstock agent Dermot Farrington to help grow the Australian arm of its operation.

Phoenix Thoroughbreds sold seven lots at this week’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale under the Lucas Bloodstock banner, and was also active at Thursday’s Chairman’s Sale.

An emerging force in the global racing and breeding industry, Phoenix bought a lifetime breeding right in star Yarraman Park Stud-based stallion I Am Invincible for A$575,000 (£313,625/€361,555), with Farrington overseeing the bidding process.

Farrington’s growing involvement with Phoenix Thoroughbreds, and his consultation in Sydney this week, was initially fostered through the organisation’s purchase of a controlling interest in Group 1 winner Aclaim.

The winner of the Prix de la Foret and the Park Stakes, who was retired to The National Stud in Newmarket in 2018, was bred by Farrington and Queensland-based Canning Downs Stud.

Farrington told ANZ Bloodstock News that Phoenix Thoroughbreds had called on his expertise to assist in growing their presence in Australia.

“I come down here to Australia regularly and they asked me to do a bit,” Farrington explained. “They have a sizable investment here with plenty of racehorses in training and plenty of broodmares and some yearlings as well.

On the acquisition of a share in I Am Invincible, Farrington added: “They have got a lot of mares, so it makes a lot of sense as I Am Invincible is a hell of a good sire.”

Phoenix Thoroughbreds has horses in training with Queensland-based Toby Edmonds, David Vandyke and Melbourne-based Ciaron Maher.

The organisation also has a share in Aquis Farm-based Group 1 winner Invader, who will stand for an introductory fee of $27,500 (inc GST) in 2018.

Farrington was also in Australia acting for clients including Black Caviar’s breeder Rick Jamieson of Gilgai Farm and Waratah Thoroughbreds’ Paul Fudge.

Waratah Thoroughbreds conducted an unreserved dispersal of its high-quality broodmare band at Inglis’s Riverside Stables complex.

“Paul has decided to disperse his mares and get some stock that are close to racing," the bloodstock agent said.

“Paul’s facility [in the New South Wales Southern Highlands] is amazing and it probably lends itself to having action straight away. He has got a magnificent gallop and you could probably train out of there.”

Among the Waratah Thoroughbreds lots sold was the winning mare My Sanctuary, who is in foal to More Than Ready and was purchased for A$600,000. The half-sister to three stakes winners, including the Group 2-winning Algometer, was bought by Farrington and Makin Stallions.

Farrington said The Chairman’s Sale, that finished with a clearance rate of 58 per cent, was similar to what had been experienced at Keeneland in years gone by.

“This sale has been a bit like the old July sale at Keeneland where buyers were very selective,” he said. “If you don’t hit the bullseye, you probably hit the side of the board.”

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