Tag: John Ferguson

New Appointments At Jockey Club Estates As Sporborg Named New Chair

William Sporborg has been appointed as the new Chair of Jockey Club Estates. Sporborg succeeds Peter Stanley, who has been Chair since 2018.

Sporborg's new role will begin on Jan. 1, 2023, and he was also appointed a Steward of The Jockey Club.  A former amateur jockey, Newmarket-based Sporborg is a chartered accountant. He has worked in private equity, venture capital and private companies over the last 30, and is currently Managing Partner at Managing Capital, LLP. He has also served on the race committees at Huntingdon and Newmarket almost continuously since 2003.

Richard Pilkington, the Chairman of Nottingham Racecourse, is the new Director of the Jockey Club Estates. He joins former trainer and bloodstock agent John Ferguson who has also recently taken up a post as a Jockey Club Estates director.

Sandy Dudgeon, Senior Steward of The Jockey Club, said, “I would like to welcome William Sporborg as the new Chair of Jockey Club Estates. William brings a wide-ranging experience to the role, which is vital with the large portfolio of property and land managed by Jockey Club Estates.

“In addition, I would also like to welcome John Ferguson and Richard Pilkington to the board of Jockey Club Estates. These roles involve a considerable sacrifice of time, and I am pleased we have two such distinguished people willing to do so.

“Finally, I would like to extend my gratitude and thanks to Peter Stanley who has led Jockey Club Estates with distinction over the last five years. I wish him all the best for the future.”

The post New Appointments At Jockey Club Estates As Sporborg Named New Chair appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Ferguson Appointed To BHA Board

Noted bloodstock agent, former trainer and well-known industry figure John Ferguson has been appointed to the Board of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), the sport's governing and regulatory body. He is one of two Member-Nominated Directors as nominated by the TBA, ROA and NTF (acting on behalf of Licensed Personnel). Ferguson takes over from Luca Cumani, whose term on the BHA Board has ended.

Ferguson has held a wide variety of positions within the Thoroughbred industry. He served as stable staff and assistant to trainer Sir Michael Stoute and, on his own, trained 287 National Hunt winners (including top-level scorers Ruacana and Parlour Games). He has also been a racing manager, owner, breeder and bloodstock agent, most notably as advisor to Sheikh Mohammed and Godolphin for 22 years from 1994-2017. He was also Chief Executive of Godolphin for a time.

In 2021, he established Natalma Bloodstock, a bloodstock investment company which has broodmares in Europe, the United States and Australia. He is also a member of the UK Jockey Club, US Jockey Club and has a Japan Racing Association owners licence.

Ferguson said: “Having had a career in horseracing that has been beyond my wildest dreams, working for some incredible people, I feel honoured and privileged to have been offered this role.

“Having worked as a member of stable staff and had my first novice hurdle winner at Hexham, through to breeding, owning and selling horses all over the world, I hope that I am able to well represent licensed personnel.

“It is now in our hands to shape horseracing into a sustainable and fabulous sport for future generations.”

Added BHA Chair Joe Saumarez: “We are delighted to welcome John to the Board. He brings with him extensive experience of the training and bloodstock industries, alongside his intimate knowledge of the industry's workings from his time as a senior leader in the sport.

“We are all extremely grateful to Luca Cumani for his service to the Board. It was a privilege to work with someone of his knowledge and distinction. His understanding of every aspect of the horse and their training was of great benefit to the Board and the sport.”

The post Ferguson Appointed To BHA Board appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

TDN Snippets: Week of May 16 – 22

It was certainly a busy week of action on both sides of the Atlantic. Here's a sample of what went on, and what should be on your radar.

Headline Maker…
With Early Voting's Classic win at Pimlico Saturday, the colt became Gun Runner's fifth Grade I winner. It's a remarkable stat for any stallion, especially one so early in his stud career. It looks likely the Three Chimneys stallion will vie with the mighty Into Mischief for the honor of being America's most expensive sire over the next few years.

Ferguson/Natalma Making Waves…
Natalma has been appearing on buyers' sheets here and in the U.K. since 2021 with the investment portfolio, spearheaded by John Ferguson, having purchased 21 fillies and mares at public auction for an aggregate of $4.6 million during that time. Three of these purchases were at Tattersalls July, three at Fasig-Tipton November, 11 at Keeneland November and four at Tattersalls December. Natalma are also active in the private market. Ferguson is currently at Magic Millions selling three mares, via the Arrowfield consignment, all in foal to Frankel. Watch this space…

Wellman The Explorer…
Following the theme of international expansion, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Aron Wellman recently plucked a filly out of Europe, with the guidance of Mike Levy/Jamie Lloyd, and she's now Royal Ascot-bound. Manhattan Jungle (Bungle Inthejungle), trained by the talented Amy Murphy, won a listed race at Vichy (video), France Friday and looks to have a bright future.

Wellman summed it up nicely, “The world is getting so small, particularly in our industry, and it's wonderful to have an Irish-bred filly, who is three-for-three in France and now destined for Royal Ascot in England and will be supported by a strong contingent of American owners. Very cool stuff!”

First (U.S.) Starter, First Winner…
Social media was buzzing Sunday after Tahoma became Justify's first winner, from his first American runner. Craig Bernick's Aspen Grove had run a promising fifth at the Curragh earlier in the day, in what appeared to be a strong maiden.

Tahoma, a $160,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Dennis O'Neill, is a half-brother to graded stakes winner Legends of War (Scat Daddy). Legends of War, who won the 2019 GIII Franklin-Simpson S. at Kentucky Downs for brother Doug, was actually named a TDN Rising Star May 23, 2018 at Yarmouth under the tutelage of John Gosden. Legends of War is now back in England standing at March Hare Stud for £4,000.

Appleby Can Do No Wrong…
Native Trail (Oasis Dream)'s win in the G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas gave Charlie Appleby/Godolphin its third 2000 Guineas win of the year. What's even more staggering is that they did it with three different horses; Coroebus (English 1000 Guineas), Modern Games (Poule d'Essai des Poulains aka French 2000 Guineas) and now Native Trail. Aidan O'Brien won the three races back in 2002 but with two different horses; Rock Of Gibraltar (England & Ireland) and Landseer (France).

The team at Dalham Hall/Kildangan Stud in Europe better start building new stallion boxes to accommodate the array of stallion prospects Appleby is churning out.

The post TDN Snippets: Week of May 16 – 22 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Desert Party Sold To Saudi Arabia

Desert Party (Street Cry {Ire}–Sage Cat, by Tabasco Cat), a graded/group winner at ages two, three and four, has been sold to continue his stud career in Saudi Arabia. The deal was brokered by Chad Schumer of Chad Schumer Bloodstock.

Bred in Kentucky by David Smith and Steven Sinatra, Desert Party was purchased by Paul Pompa, Jr. for $425,000 at the 2007 Keeneland September sale, then watched as his pinhook prospect topped the Fasig-Tipton Calder Sale on John Ferguson’s bid of $2.1 million less than six months later. Winner of his first two trips to the post for Eoin Harty, including the GII Sanford S. at Saratoga, Desert Party added the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas during his sophomore season and the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal in Dubai and the Donald LeVine Memorial H. in 2010. He retired with six wins from 10 starts and earnings of $928,467.

Desert Party is the sire of seven black-type winners to date, chief among them Peruvian Group 3 winner Salama, and the multiple stakes winners Heart’s Song and Aunt Babe.

Desert Party most recently stood at Godstone Farm in Pennsylvania.

The post Desert Party Sold To Saudi Arabia appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights