Selling down - former fund manager Perry continues his exit from breeding industry

Greg Perry, the legendary stock picker and fund manager once dubbed the “Freak” for his ability to beat the market, is continuing his slow and structured exit from the thoroughbred industry.

An avid breeder, owner and stud farm equity holder for the best part of a quarter of a century, Perry has been winding down his thoroughbred portfolio in recent years.

And the next chapter of that deliberately prolonged dispersal strategy will take place at the upcoming Magic Millions National Sale on the Gold Coast where a host of his quality mares will be offered.

Perry made his wealth through funds management, earning a reputation for his shrewd investments during the ’90s when the stock market became awash with superannuation money, before turning his attention to the racing and breeding industry.

A self-declared naive thoroughbred rookie, Perry soon became a shareholder in Hunter Valley nursery Vinery and went on to breed Group 1 winners Delectation, Marabi, Artorius and a host of other talented horses.

But, turning 71 this year, Perry is winding down his thoroughbred interests despite retailer and Magic Millions owner Gerry Harvey declaring that he would soon be back acquainted with the industry.

Perry dissolved his interest in Vinery Stud, as did friend and partner Neil Werrett, and last August he parted with Oakleigh Plate winner Marabi for $2.4 million.

Now his cherished 2018 VRC Oaks winner Aristia, who is in foal to I Am Invincible, is likely to become a jewel in someone else’s broodmare band after being catalogued as Lot 920 in next month’s 524-Lot National Sale line-up, which was confirmed on Wednesday.

Vinery will also consign the Perry-owned Mhaille, a half-sister to Artorius, and Listed winner Naantali, La Sevena, Grace And Harmony and Sezanne among a group of his mares to go under the hammer on the Gold Coast.

Perry says he’s not up for another “five or six-year cycle” that is required when breeding horses.

“And, you know, I just think back over 20 years, when I started in this industry like a rookie and pretty naive, in many ways, it takes a long time to develop a family and whatever else and I just can’t imagine going through that whole cycle again,” Perry said.

“I mean, I used to wake up thinking about horses and go to bed thinking about horses … but that’s what you do when you’re really committed to something.”

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Perry has no regrets about his decision to “pull back” from the industry.

“I’ve had a lot of enjoyment, a lot of fun and just a lot of joy breeding some good horses. I never ever thought I’d get a horse to go to Ascot like Artorius,” he said.

“It’s just fantastic, a great experience and a lifetime of memories. Look, I’ll probably keep one or two and just paddle around … but I’ve just decided to do other things.”

Artistia is one of 10 Group 1-winning mares, three of which are in foal, catalogued for the Gold Coast.

Fellow Group 1-winning mares Volpe Veloce will also be offered in foal to I Am Invincible while Ulanova, the Group 1 Sistema Stakes winner in New Zealand, will be offered in foal to Zoustar by Gandharvi Racing.

The race fillies and mares session, scheduled for May 27, will see Group 1 winners Atishu, Molly Bloom, Belclare, Socks Nation, Campionessa, Climbing Star and Zougotcha, touted as potentially Australasia’s most valuable mare to go to market this year, offered at the live auction.

Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch described the National Broodmare Sale catalogue as world-class.

“This will again be Australia’s biggest and most commercial sale of its kind,” Bowditch said.

“There is such depth to the catalogue from the racefillies on Day One through to the broodmares on day two. All ends of the market will be covered by quality lots.

“We are proud to be able to catalogue 140 black type fillies and mares – many straight off the track and others in foal to the hottest sires in the country.”

Perry intends to be on the Gold Coast to witness his mares being sold.

“It’s been a lot of joy, a lot of fun and it’d be just nice to see these mares go to nice homes and people who will invest in them and continue to develop the families,” he said.

“You talk about Aristia’s family, but the Artorius family is really dear to me. It’s a wonderful family.

“It might not be quite as good as Rick Jamieson’s (Black Caviar) family, but I still put it right up there and that family can get an exciting horse.”

The Magic Millions National Sale will start with the weanling session on May 25, followed by the May 27 and 28 race fillies and broodmare sale.

It will conclude with the two-day yearling sale on June 2 and 3.