Hollywoodbets interests buy Fayette Park for international breeding push

South African interests linked to Hollywoodbets have purchased Fayette Park, establishing the historic South Waikato property as a base for an international racing and breeding operation.

New Zealand-based South African expatriate Craig Ramsay completed negotiations on behalf of Hollywoodbets principal Owen Heffer and will oversee the 132-hectare farm. Ramsay and his wife Tammy have taken up residence there.

Fayette Park was established by David and Masey Benjamin in the late 1980s and had been owned by Gary and Linda Harding since 2005.

“Owen firmly believes that a good South African horse is as good as any in the world, but he also appreciates what a country like New Zealand has to offer,” Ramsay told NZ Racing Desk.

“The purchase of Fayette Park represents an investment that will allow us to breed horses here with a view to racing them internationally.”

Hollywoodbets holds naming rights to Greyville and Scottsville racecourses in South Africa. Greyville stages the Durban July.

The purchase follows two years of buying by the Hollywoodbets operation at New Zealand and Australian yearling sales.

Ramsay spent NZ$885,000 on five Book 1 yearlings at Karaka in 2025. The investment increased to almost NZ$2.5 million for 15 yearlings at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Centenary Sale in January 2026.

Early runners include an Inglis Premier graduate by The Autumn Sun who won on debut. Karaka graduate One Eye On Dubai, an Almanzor colt, has finished fourth and second in two starts.

The new owners plan to build a broodmare band of about 20, with matings directed mainly towards producing horses to race in South Africa.

Ramsay has secured Tony Pike-trained racemare Churchillian, an 11-time winner whose victories include the Group 3 Anniversary Handicap, Group 3 Rotorua Stakes and Listed Tauranga Classic. She will visit Paddington.

“We’re very happy to secure a quality young mare like Churchillian,” Ramsay said. “The plan is to gradually build a quality broodmare band at Fayette Park, with a goal of having around 20 mares.”

Contractors are preparing 60 hectares for maize, while cattle will be stocked to use the farm’s grass. Ramsay’s daughter Alexis, a qualified equine veterinary nurse, plans to provide services including neonatal foal care, yearling preparation and rehabilitation.

The Benjamins developed Fayette Park from a mixed farm. Its name referred to Masey Benjamin’s Kentucky home and the couple’s connection to Claiborne Farm, where David Benjamin had worked.

Foundation stallion Grosvenor sired 54 stakes winners, including 16 at Group 1 level. Group 1-producing stallions Stark South, Prized, Postponed and Don Eduardo also stood there.

Fayette Park was named National Breeder of the Year in 2004. The Hardings maintained its racing involvement, with their colours carried by Group 1 winners Bounding and Bonham.