Penfold was an influential figure in the global thoroughbred industry and his passing was felt in Australia and New Zealand where he made many friends. His daughter, Sophie, is married to Coolmore Australia Principal Tom Magnier.
Penfold's early ventures in the bloodstock industry included forming Goodwood Bloodstock Agency with former jump jockey John Woodman in 1972.
Penfold began working for Prince Fahd in 1983 and was retained on a full-time basis in 1985, a role that he held until after Prince Fahd died in 2001. Prince Fahd was a son-in-law of Prince Khalid Abdullah of Juddmonte Farms, who introduced him to racing, and Prince Fahd, with Penfold as an advisor, set up studs in Dorset and Lexington.
Anthony Penfold
Prince Fahd's best horse was Generous (Ire) (Caerleon {USA}), purchased for him by Penfold as a yearling and trained by Paul Cole to win the G1 Dewhurst S., the G1 Derby and G1 Irish Derby and the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S.
During Penfold's tenure with Prince Fahd, the Prince raced eight European Classic winners and his horses won over 90 Group and Graded races in Europe and the U.S. In addition to Generous, those also included the Oaks (at Epsom), Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks victress Ramruma (USA) (Diesis {GB}), Irish Oaks winner Knight's Baroness (GB) (Rainbow Quest {USA}) and American champion turf mare Fiji (GB) (Rainbow Quest {USA}), who was sold to Brushwood Stable at Keeneland November after Prince Fahd's death in 2002 for US$3.1 million (AU$4.2 million) in foal to Danehill (USA).
Ramruma was also sold after Prince Fahd's death for 2.1 million gns (AU$3.9 million), which in 2003 set a record for a broodmare at a European auction. She was bought by John Magnier in foal to Machiavellian (USA).
Penfold was in 2003 appointed as stud manager and bloodstock and racing adviser for Britton House Stud in Somerset, England, a role that he took on alongside running Bugley Stud in Dorset with his wife Mary-Ann.
One of Bugley Stud's top graduates was Strategic Prince (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who was sold by Bugley for 150,000 gns (AU$282,000) at Tattersalls October in 2005 and went on to win the G2 July S. and G2 Vintage S. and finish third in the G1 Dewhurst S. The Penfolds also bred last year's G2 Airlie Stud S. winner Velocidad (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}), who is trained by Joseph O'Brien for the Coolmore partners and Westerberg.
Sophie Magnier, Anthony Penfold and Charlie Magnier
Among those to pay tribute in Australia included Segenhoe Stud General Manager Peter O'Brien.
"I was so privileged to have known Anthony. Not only was he a superb judge of horseflesh but more importantly he was a man of absolute integrity and wisdom. I cherished the times I had with him and condolences to Sophie and all of his beautiful family."
James Bester said: "Anthony Penfold will always be famous for the mighty Generous, triple Oaks winner Ramruma and so many other successful thoroughbreds. But those who were lucky enough to know the man personally also knew a true gentleman from that Golden Age of racing and breeding - charming, witty, kind and wise, with an ever-present twinkle in his eye. He will be sorely missed."
Coolmore's Colm Santry also paid tribute to the horseman: "I first encountered Anthony Penfold in 1994 whilst negotiating to bring the stallion Magic Ring to Baramul Stud. From that day forward and especially during the past 15 years or so of his connection with Coolmore, I found him to be not only a fine judge of a horse but also the perfect gentleman, with a sense of fun always bubbling beneath the surface."
Anthony Penfold | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
Adam Sangster, principal of Swettenham Stud, praised Penfold's passion for thoroughbreds but also his family.
"Anthony will be missed by a lot of us, but especially his family, who we are thinking of during this sad time. He was instrumental in looking after Prince Fahd, who won the equivalent of the Slipper with colt named, Generous, who then went on to win the English and Irish Derby," Sangster said.
John and Cath Murray of Emmaroo Bloodstock also offered their condolences. Mourning someone they described as a 'dear friend'.
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Anthony Penfold. Anthony and his family are dear friends and we will miss him greatly. He was quick-witted, highly intelligent, had a wonderful way with people and he was a great mentor to both of us in understanding the intricacies of the thoroughbred industry," the statement read.
"He (Anthony Penfold) was quick-witted, highly intelligent, had a wonderful way with people and he was a great mentor to both of us in understanding the intricacies of the thoroughbred industry." - John and Cath Murray
"His knowledge of bloodlines was extraordinary and he had few peers globally in this regard. Anthony has helped us steadily build our broodmares over time and, as his health deteriorated more recently, we all gained much joy in seeing two of these purchases produce early winners on the racetrack, Sandstone with Willesee at The Curragh and Beat The Benchmark with Hafey here in Australia.
"Most recently, he purchased the mare Dayita at Arqana for us and she has just foaled an Almanzor colt. Anthony was a global player in the field that he loved and we are so grateful to have been part of his life.”
Among others to offer messages of condolences were legendary trainer Neil Drysdale and Curraghmore Stud's Gordon Cunningham.
"Anthony was a brilliant horseman, and so easy to work for during our many years together when he was Prince Fahd’s Racing Manager. He was a proper gentleman, a caring father, and a very dear friend. I miss him already," Drysdale said.
"Anthony was a brilliant horseman, and so easy to work for during our many years together when he was Prince Fahd’s Racing Manager. He was a proper gentleman, a caring father, and a very dear friend. I miss him already." - Neil Drysdale
"We’re saddened to learn of the passing of Anthony. We all appreciated his annual visit to Karaka each year. He had a great eye for a horse and most of all was a true gentleman. May he be resting peacefully now," Cunningham said.
Bloodstock agent Shawn Dugan said: "I witnessed the work of a brilliant agent/racing manager in Anthony and his California-based trainer at the top of their game during the days of Prince Fahd. Champion Fiji, Dance Parade, Midnight Line to name a few, but the most fun was tagging along behind them when they were looking at horses together.
"Very little said, but everything understood. Anthony was so kind, so very knowledgeable in his profession, and he had so much time for the people he cared about. We will miss you Antonio."
Yarraman Park's Arthur Mitchell said: "I was very sad to hear of the passing of Anthony Penfold yesterday. Anthony was a good friend and we did business both here and overseas successfully. Anthony was a great judge and a very decent man and will be sorely missed."
