At the National Yearling Sale in June, a large number of yearlings were knocked down to Louis Bloodstock, a new name on the results sheet that became the leading buyer.
Magic Millions revealed on Monday that the buyer was former Magic Millions proprietor Rob Ferguson, with Louis being the name of his dog. Over a three-hour period, Louis Bloodstock spent nearly $1 million on 22 fillies, including parting with $160,000 for a Lonhro filly out of a half-sister to Sebring.
However, Ferguson has subsequently revealed that he experienced a 'medical episode' after being weaned off strong steroids by his doctor, following a lung condition. One of the side-effects of this process are feelings of invulnerability and euphoria.
“It is like having been at the Magic Millions bar all day and then deciding to buy some horses. It felt like a great idea at the time," said Ferguson.
“It is like having been at the Magic Millions bar all day and then deciding to buy some horses. It felt like a great idea at the time.” - Rob Ferguson.
Ferguson is a successful racehorse owner, and the former owner of Torryburn Stud. He was a 25 per cent shareholder in Magic Millions up to the Gerry Harvey buyout of John Singleton in 2011.
While Ferguson paid for the fillies, Ferguson has decided to re-offer them, unbroken, at the Magic Millions Online Sale from September 5 to 9 with a reserve of 50 per cent of their recent price.
“It was just one of those things that happened. I’ll probably end up famous because of it," he joked.
Gallery: Some of the fillies to be offered, pictured as yearlings, images courtesy of Magic Millions
The 22 fillies, by top sires including Lonhro, Written Tycoon, Dundeel (NZ) and Nicconi, will be available for inspection at the Gold Coast Sales Complex throughout the week of the sale.
Exciting young sire Harry Angel (Ire) was represented by a $150,000 purchase, while Hellbent, Lean Mean Machine and Trapeze Artist are also represented.
"I have had some feedback from a few good judges who have seen the horses and they tell me that there are some nice fillies in the group. So, I may not have done too bad a job,” said Ferguson.
"I have had some feedback from a few good judges who have seen the horses and they tell me that there are some nice fillies in the group. So, I may not have done too bad a job.” - Rob Ferguson
Since the National Sale, all fillies have been agisted at Di Hannel’s Warrandale Stud at Biddaddaba.
A vet will carry out a clinical and a laryngoscopy examination of each horse on arrival at the Magic Millions complex, and the reports of the vet’s findings will be posted on the Magic Millions sale pages.
“Obviously it looks like I am going to show a loss, as I’m willing to take a haircut on each horse. But it was never my intention to own these horses.
"When I purchased these fillies I am sure I made a lot of vendors happy. This time around I will probably be making a lot of buyers happy.”
Gallery: Some of the fillies to be offered, pictured as yearlings, images courtesy of Magic Millions
