Flabbergasted At Empire Sale

Newcastle Herald

Tuesday March 25, 2008

By GEOFF WILSON

THE Upper Hunter and the wider racing world was rocked yesterday by Bob Ingham's decision to sell his racing empire to the ruler of Dubai.

The decision shocked all in racing, especially those at Denman where the Woodlands Stud has become part and parcel of the racing scene.

Newcastle's Group 1-winning trainer Kris Lees, who trains for Sheik Kalifer who is the cousin of His Royal Highness Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, said he was "amazed that Bob sold".

"It just goes to show you what wealth and power can get you," Lees told The Herald yesterday.

"Woodlands is something I have grown up with as a local institution. It is amazing to think how much it cost.

"I am surprised but I suppose things won't change because the Sheik does things one way and that is first class."

Coalminer Nathan Tinker set the Upper Hunter real estate market alight earlier this year when he paid $5 million for a 72-hectare property in the Hunter Valley. Woodlands, by comparison, covers about 2500 hectares.

David Hayes, who runs Australia's other multi-state, multimillion-dollar racing outfit at Angaston, in South Australia, said he was also "surprised and overwhelmed".

"I am still coming to grips with it," Hayes said.

"Racing without the Ingham dynasty does not seem possible.

"I would say it will be exciting times if the Sheik decides to give it a shot like I am sure he will."

Gerry Harvey who runs the Magic Millions sales described Bob Ingham as the ultimate businessman.

"If he sold, he sold at the right price at the right time," Harvey said.

"Of that there is no doubt.

"It will be interesting to see how the sales are affected this week.

"Bob was a big buyer at all sales in recent years."

Prominent businessman and racing identity John Singleton summed it up quickly.

"Good luck to Bob, he deserves it," Singleton said.

"It's his shout for once."

Gosford apprentice jockey Josh Parr, who joined the Ingham stables in Sydney only three weeks ago, was still coming to grips with the sale yesterday after riding Gergis to a win at Randwick for Ingham and Snowden.

"My career was not progressing until Mr Ingham gave me the chance to ride his fantastic horses and I haven't looked back," Parr said.

Parr rode four winners at Kembla two weeks ago.

"I do not know what the sale means to staff like me, but it seems it is business as usual," he said.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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