Final bid
June 3rd 2008 08:27
As part of the pedigree team at Dalgety Bloodstock I had been involved with the auction of yearlings for many years in the 80’s and early 90’s. Over that time I saw a few occasions when the excitement (sometimes alcohol) and desperation to get a horse has resulted in a bidding battle, with often the under bidder more relieved than the winning bidder is happy. Quite a few times I would chase the disappearing winning bidder out of the Oaklands Junction auditorium and on a mystery tour of stables and surrounds.
[photo: Magic Millions]
Sydney trainer Tony Wildman died on June the 2nd. He was 60 years old and finally succumbed to cancer of the bowel and liver. He closed his Warwick Farm stables in May 2006 and underwent chemotherapy and several operations. Last year doctors had declared that he was in remission, but the cancer returned again to claim his life.
He was a renowned trainer of fillies and mares and among his best were Gentle Genius (owned by John Singleton), Timbourina and Cinque Cento. John Singleton became a lifelong friend after Tony had convinced him to part with a substantial sum for a horse. Tony had purchased a horse from New Zealand with no money, and no waiting client, only the belief that this horse could win races. Armed only with the knowledge of Singleton's interest in racing (and reputation) a ten minute meeting (through Singleton's secretary) was arranged. The confidence, enthusiasm and ability to sell was something that Singleton admired and the deal was done.The horse (Destroyer’s Image) did prove the estimation correct and would go on to win a Tamworth Cup and many other races.
Fellow Warwick Farm trainer Paul Cave was perhaps his best friend. They first met one Sunday morning at Warwick Farm as the Irish born Cave was spotted loading up a horse onto a float. Tony was a bit bemused, and always (as Cave would testify) quick with a remark or retort.
They exchanged comments about the lack of a race meeting that day, and Cave told him that he was going hunting with hounds (although practically banned in England, fox hunting is still practised in Ireland). The next week Tony came along and a friendship (and mutual respect in things of horsemanship) followed and grew.
Tony Wildman never had a large stable and had the same problems of maintaining clients (and their interest) that all trainers face. Paul Cave retold the story of Tony seeking the interest of a stable client in purchasing a new horse.
“I’ve got all my money tied up at present,” the client said. Quick as a flash Tony retorted:
“Yes, so have I. It’s in my pocket now, tied up with the corners of my handkerchief.”
When Tony Wildman was forced into early retirement a benefit day was arranged that saw a crowd of more than 750 people attend, and in excess of $450,000 was raised.
In 2001 at the Magic Millions Sales in Queensland it was 42 degrees and Sydney trainer Tony Wildman (by his own admission) had partaken of more refreshment than he had expected. He became embroiled in a bidding war on a filly that he thought would go for $150,000. But beyond the $150,000 she went, and Tony would not relent. Once again he had neither the money, or the client in the wings, but bid he did until the hammer came down on his last nod at $310,000.
Tony tried to convince the Magic Million director (Max Donnelly) that he had unlimited credit from John Singleton. But not on this day. When Wildman had eventually tracked down Singleton it was another man seated at his table (Mark Alati) that volunteered to buy the filly if no other buyer came forward. None did.
That filly was Timbourina who went on to win $535,700 and won a VRC Wakeful Stakes and was placed 3rd in the VRC Oaks of 2003 behind Special Harmony.
It is little wonder that a person with such joy of life and character would be so popular. I never knew or met Tony Wildman, but that would appear to be my loss.
Magic Millions yearling sales
[photo: Magic Millions]
Sydney trainer Tony Wildman died on June the 2nd. He was 60 years old and finally succumbed to cancer of the bowel and liver. He closed his Warwick Farm stables in May 2006 and underwent chemotherapy and several operations. Last year doctors had declared that he was in remission, but the cancer returned again to claim his life.
He was a renowned trainer of fillies and mares and among his best were Gentle Genius (owned by John Singleton), Timbourina and Cinque Cento. John Singleton became a lifelong friend after Tony had convinced him to part with a substantial sum for a horse. Tony had purchased a horse from New Zealand with no money, and no waiting client, only the belief that this horse could win races. Armed only with the knowledge of Singleton's interest in racing (and reputation) a ten minute meeting (through Singleton's secretary) was arranged. The confidence, enthusiasm and ability to sell was something that Singleton admired and the deal was done.The horse (Destroyer’s Image) did prove the estimation correct and would go on to win a Tamworth Cup and many other races.
Fellow Warwick Farm trainer Paul Cave was perhaps his best friend. They first met one Sunday morning at Warwick Farm as the Irish born Cave was spotted loading up a horse onto a float. Tony was a bit bemused, and always (as Cave would testify) quick with a remark or retort.
They exchanged comments about the lack of a race meeting that day, and Cave told him that he was going hunting with hounds (although practically banned in England, fox hunting is still practised in Ireland). The next week Tony came along and a friendship (and mutual respect in things of horsemanship) followed and grew.
Tony Wildman never had a large stable and had the same problems of maintaining clients (and their interest) that all trainers face. Paul Cave retold the story of Tony seeking the interest of a stable client in purchasing a new horse.
“I’ve got all my money tied up at present,” the client said. Quick as a flash Tony retorted:
“Yes, so have I. It’s in my pocket now, tied up with the corners of my handkerchief.”
When Tony Wildman was forced into early retirement a benefit day was arranged that saw a crowd of more than 750 people attend, and in excess of $450,000 was raised.
In 2001 at the Magic Millions Sales in Queensland it was 42 degrees and Sydney trainer Tony Wildman (by his own admission) had partaken of more refreshment than he had expected. He became embroiled in a bidding war on a filly that he thought would go for $150,000. But beyond the $150,000 she went, and Tony would not relent. Once again he had neither the money, or the client in the wings, but bid he did until the hammer came down on his last nod at $310,000.
Tony tried to convince the Magic Million director (Max Donnelly) that he had unlimited credit from John Singleton. But not on this day. When Wildman had eventually tracked down Singleton it was another man seated at his table (Mark Alati) that volunteered to buy the filly if no other buyer came forward. None did.
That filly was Timbourina who went on to win $535,700 and won a VRC Wakeful Stakes and was placed 3rd in the VRC Oaks of 2003 behind Special Harmony.
It is little wonder that a person with such joy of life and character would be so popular. I never knew or met Tony Wildman, but that would appear to be my loss.
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