John Singleton is selling more than 100 horses at his Strawberry Hill Stud in August, including foals, mares, yearlings and racehorses as well as his Mount White home. He will remain in the ownership of horses raced in partnership, which includes talented I Am Invincible colt Hawaii Five Oh.
“I feel sorry for those old blokes at the races looking grumpy,” Singleton said to the Daily Telegraph, who announced the news on Tuesday.
“I always said I would sell up when I have been doing this for 50 years.”
Magic Millions has been entrusted with dispersing the valuable portfolio, with the bloodstock sale taking place on August 29 at the Central Coast property, while the property sale is slated for the end of the year. Singleton was a former owner of the sales company, selling his portion of Magic Millions to his business partners and close friends Gerry Harvey and Katie Page-Harvey.
Gerry Harvey and John Singleton
“Singo has been an integral part of the Magic Millions landscape since the mid-90s and the blue and white colours of Strawberry Hill are synonymous with success in our industry,” said Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch.
“Although it's sad to see Singo sell up, Gerry, Katie and the Magic Millions team are honoured to be entrusted with selling an outstanding group of mares and yearlings unreserved.”
“Although it's sad to see Singo (John Singleton) sell up, Gerry, Katie (Harvey) and the Magic Millions team are honoured to be entrusted with selling an outstanding group of mares and yearlings unreserved.” - Barry Bowditch
The Singleton dispersal is an offering ripe with riches, and an unusual logistical challenge for Magic Millions to host the sale on an off-site location, however Bowditch is confident his team is more than up for the task.
“It's a unique setup to be selling on-farm but is also very fitting for the backdrop to be the paddocks of Strawberry Hill where so many successful horses were born and raised.”
A Joyful legacy
While there will be numerous blueblood families on offer, much of the success of Singo's empire can be credited to the exceptional Joie Denise (Danehill {USA}), with the fortunes of Strawberry Hill flourishing through her feats and the deeds of her daughters. Jessica Owers told the story of the 'Joy' family in her 'Foundations' article in The Thoroughbred Report last Thursday.
Bloodstock Manager Andrew Baddock, who took over the role from Duncan Grimley - Singo's trusted racing manager of over 20 years - in February, calls Strawberry Hill the ‘Joie Denise farm’.
“John has had massive success with this family,” he said. “It’s just an amazing page and as good as you’ll get anywhere in the world. It’s John’s brand. It’s what he’s most known for and he’s proud of it.
Andrew Baddock
“It’s a family that Strawberry Hill has developed from a long way back, and it’s John’s trademark for sure. To his credit, he raised the bar pretty high in producing More Joyous.”
All good things come to an end
Although the sale is an end of an era, Baddock was philosophical in his reflections on the impact made by Singleton's breeding endeavours.
“Singo has been a great contributor to the Australasian racing and breeding industry over many decades.
“He has orchestrated great families like a great composer and as he has always done, he is doing it in his own way.”
“Singo (John Singleton) has been a great contributor to the Australasian racing and breeding industry over many decades. He has orchestrated great families like a great composer and as he has always done, he is doing it in his own way.” - Andrew Baddock
Singleton summarised the experience in his usual deadpan manner: “It has been one hell of a ride. The highs and lows of life all contained in a business where horses run round in a circle.”
