” title=”Rob Ferguson’s 22s to be sold in September’s Magic Millions online sale” > Rob Ferguson’s 22 year olds will be sold in the Magic Millions September Online Sale Sarah Ebbett By Alex Wiltshire of ANZ Bloodstock News UPDATE 3:57pm, 29 AUGUST 2022 Mystery buyer Louis Bloodstock caused a stir at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale in June, when the so far unknown bought a large set of 22 Christmas friends for just A$1 million (£588,000/€688,000), to be named the top buyer in end of season auction on the Gold Coast. However, it has now emerged that the figure behind Louis Bloodstock’s free-spending outfit is former Magic Millions and Torryburn Stud owner Rob Ferguson – and he is selling all 22 girlfriends having bought them during what he described as a ‘medical episode ». Ferguson, who suffers from a lung condition, was in the midst of being taken off steroids by his doctor, the side effects of which can be an experience of “invulnerability” and “euphoria”. “It was like being in the Magic Millions bar all day and then deciding to buy some horses. It felt like a great idea at the time,” said Ferguson, who revealed he coined the name “Louis Bloodstock” after his dog, Louis. “It was just one of those things that happened. I’ll probably end up famous because of it.”
Magic Millions ” title=”Rob Ferguson’s three-hour shopping session included this A$160,000 Lonhro fill” > Rob Ferguson’s three-hour shopping session included this A$160,000 Lonhro fill Magic Millions Ferguson began his unbridled three-hour spree with Lot 1522, a highly sought-after first-season Sir Trapeze Artist, which he bought midway through the start of the trade. Eight lots later, he added a filler from US Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and went on to drop the hammer 20 more times over the next 79 lots offered. At one stage Ferguson bought seven of the next eight lots through the ring to cover their reserve after buying Lot 1578, a daughter of Reliable Man for A$45,000. Ferguson also came with pals from champion sire Written Tycoon, in-form Yarraman Park sire Hellbent and Group 1-winning stallion Dundeel, while the most expensive of his 22 purchases was a filly from Darley Sire Lonhro for which Ferguson parted with A$160,000. to take into his hands. The filly, who is not a half-sister to Golden Slipper winner and former Widden stallion Sebring, was one of two six-figure purchases for Ferguson, who 26 lots later added a filly by Harry Angel, who is a granddaughter of Group 1. winner Barinka, for A$150,000. Among Ferguson’s other purchases was a daughter of Lean Mean Machine, a half-sister to Macau stakes winner Gon Sai Baau, out of a stakes-placed half-sister to Singapore stakes winner King Louis.
Magic Millions ” title=”Harry Angelos to be sold by Rob Ferguson after ‘medical episode’ spree” > Harry Angelo to be sold by Rob Ferguson after ‘medical episode’ spending spree Magic Millions The daughter of Written Tycoon, an A$70,000 purchase, is a granddaughter of multiple US stakes winner Sugar Bay, while Rubick’s favorites Headwater, a first-place colt from Vancouver, two fillies of Brave Smash and daughters of Smart Missile, Spirit Of Boom and Nicconi will also be offered for sale next week. “I’ve had some comments from some good judges who have seen the horses and told me there are some nice girls in the group,” Ferguson said. “Well, maybe I didn’t do too bad a job.” All 22 of the fillies, who were paid for immediately by Ferguson and have since been staying at Warrandale Stud in Biddaddaba, will now be offered for sale with a reserve of 50 per cent of their purchase price at the next Magic Millions online sale, which starts on September 5 . The fillings are all unbroken and will be available for inspection from September 6th until the sale closes on September 9th. A clinical and laryngoscopy will be performed on arrival at the Magic Millions compound, with reports of the vet’s findings posted on the Magic Millions sale pages. Ferguson, who owned Torryburn Stud from 1989 until it was bought by the Cornish family in 2002, had owned 25 per cent of Magic Millions since 1997 but, along with John Singleton, sold his stake to the majority owner Gerry Harvey in 2011. He was part of the ownership team of Group 1 winners Tarzino and Velocitea and recently bought the metropolitan mare Gabeira from the Magic Millions August Online Sale for A$67,500, also under the Louis Bloodstock banner. “One of the sellers has already offered to buy their cake back at what we paid for her as they felt it was sold too cheaply. I did not accept the offer as I want the sale to be fair and transparent. We bought 22, so all 22 will be re-offered,” added Ferguson. “Obviously it looks like I’m going to show a loss as I’m willing to give every horse a haircut. But I never intended to own these horses. When I bought these stuffed I’m sure I made a lot of sellers happy. This time I’ll probably make a lot of buyers happy.” Entries for the Magic Millions September Online Sale will close tomorrow with the full catalog to be published at a later date. Subscribe to ensure you never miss updates from Australia, New Zealand and beyond and to have ANZ Bloodstock delivered to your inbox every day Good Morning Bloodstock is our latest email newsletter. Leading journalist Martin Stevens provides his opinion and insights on the biggest stories every morning from Monday to Friday
