Written by Jessica Owers
Cover image courtesy of Boomer Bloodstock
Emma Pugsley, after four years with Coolmore Australia, has joined Craig Rounsefell’s Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA) as an associate bloodstock agent. The move was made in time for the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, with inspections kicking off this week.
British-born Pugsley was part of the sales and nominations team at Coolmore Australia, a role that began in 2019. Previous to that, she was assistant to Angus Gold at Shadwell’s operation in Newmarket after graduating from the Darley Flying Start program in 2016, a class that included Magic Millions' Dane Robinson.
Godolphin Flying Start graduate class of 2016 | Image courtesy of Godolphin Flying Start
Pugsley spent a breeding-season internship at Dromoland Farm in Kentucky in her early years and also worked for Tom Malone Bloodstock, and she has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Tourism from the University of Plymouth.
“It was a brilliant four years at Coolmore,” Pugsley said, speaking to TDN AusNZ. “They have been trailblazers in the industry globally for such a long time, so I got a really good insight into how they operate in each of their three regions around the world.”
“It was a brilliant four years at Coolmore. They have been trailblazers in the industry globally for such a long time, so I got a really good insight into how they operate in each of their three regions around the world.” - Emma Pugsley
Pugsley acknowledged the long list of Coolmore graduates that have moved on into successful roles in other parts of the breeding and racing industry, particularly in Australia. They include the likes of Peter O’Brien and Sebastian Hutch.
“The team at Jerrys Plains is a really young, really good set of people, so it’s no surprise really that Coolmore has been able to turn out these important industry figures,” Pugsley said. “My time there was really well-spent. It was a very enjoyable four years.”
Pugsley graduated from university in 2012 and she’s squeezed in a lot of her career since then.
She’s worked with names like John Hammond and David Pipe, Angus Gold and Sheikh Hamdan, while her role at Coolmore exposed her to all the ins and outs of the Australian industry, along with its identities.
Late last year, when the opportunity arose to work with Rounsefell’s Boomer Bloodstock, Pugsley saw it as natural progression.
Craig Rounsefell, managing director of Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA) | Image courtesy of Boomer Bloodstock
“I always had a huge interest in bloodstock,” she said. “I have always followed racing at a passionate level, so the two have married up really well for me professionally. A couple of months ago an opportunity arose with Boomer and it seemed like the perfect time to move from one to the other.”
“I always had a huge interest in bloodstock. I have always followed racing at a passion level, so the two have married up really well for me professionally. A couple of months ago an opportunity arose with Boomer and it seemed like the perfect time to move from one to the other.” - Emma Pugsley
“Boomer has an outstanding reputation as an international agent,” she said. “He’s meticulous in his integrity and I look forward to his mentorship. His business is expanding and I’m excited about wherever I can add value."
After four years of living on-farm at Jerrys Plains, Pugsley has relocated to Sydney. Rounsefell himself is based in southeast Queensland, and Pugsley is excited about the new diversity her role will deliver.
“I’ll definitely be working on the other side of the fence, for a change. There are parts of this role that I’m looking forward to in particular, especially getting to know the Hong Kong market better. That’s something I haven’t been exposed to before. It’s a thriving market and there’s a huge appetite for racing up there.”
For Rounsefell, Pugsley’s appointment is a fresh, new chapter for Boomer Bloodstock.
Emma Pugsley and Craig Rounsefell pictured with Gai Waterhouse inspecting yearlings ahead of the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling sale | Image courtesy of Boomer Bloodstock
“I’ve been patiently waiting for the right person to bring in, someone who has significant international experience and has held themselves to a high level of integrity throughout their career,” he said in a statement.
“I am delighted to have Emma join the team and assist in the expansion of Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA) as we move into our 15th year in business.”
