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Luke Murrell of Australian Bloodstock has been at the forerunners in the syndication business for the past 10 years and now run Australia’s largest Syndication Company and are renowned for their elite runners in which they have won more Group 1 races and Group Races than any other syndication company. According to Murrell, Australian Bloodstock purchases 40 to 60 horses in a year of which his biggest investment is in the Magic Millions each year.
“We try to buy value horses in whatever we buy whether it be a European or Tried horse or a yearling. Just recently we bought six yearlings at most recent Inglis sale and Traditionally we buy six to twelve horses in the July Sales at Magic Millions. At the July Sales, we get to see horses that are more mature and are a lot better value and it’s this sale that year in year out offers the best value for money.”
“It’s a model that works well with our focus on tried horses from Europe mainly operating between March and October and in the other months, our yearling sales are in full swing. The Tried horse and European market are very complex markets to operate in but its an area we have always managed to buy very well in which offers our clients a range of opportunities from Melbourne Cup Runners right down to maiden horses that can be progressive and win multiple races. I've always believed the tried horses are the best value for money in the bloodstock market and now with the invention of online sales, it's becoming more popular for people to try their hand. Thankfully due to our success on the race track for us selling a horse is not an issue and they generally sell within 30 minutes of the email going out which is a very fortunate spot to be in. Whether it be a $10,000 horse or a $2m horse there is no doubt syndication in Australia is alive and well.
“With some very good results in the yearling market though we are seeing some good results and whilst we don’t shop at the top end – this is largely by design as our research indicates the value exits in the middle market if you are prepared to do your research and stick to your principle’s and we find up to A$300,000 is where all the majority of top horses come from.”
Murrell has had successfully led his horses on an international campaign. Their champion Japanese sprinter (now retired at Aquis Farm), Brave Smash was not only one of the first contenders in ‘The Everest Cup’ but also ran in the Gr.1 Al Quoz Sprint (2018) at Meydan.
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We have had three Japanese runners. They’ve won Stakes races for us. Two have also won at Group One level. However, with the Japanese model, it's difficult to find something that works due to the huge incentives Japanese racing offers their owners- it’s the best in the world- in some way.”
“Europe has always been a happy hunting ground. That market always creates great opportunities and we have been lucky to win a number of Classics and Group 1 races in Europe and we will remain active in that market.”
“The experience (at Meydan) we had, was something I will never forget. It’s something we love to go back to. We are on the lookout for the right horse and definitely want to head back. I am hoping to find & stable the horse in Europe this season as with the new races that are popping up in not only Dubai but Saudi there are huge opportunities “
Murrell’s ambition reaches the stars. He’s hoping the Melbourne Cup is within reach this year with the European horses unable to travel due to the situation with COVID.
“With the internationals unable to travel to Australia this year, it's going to be a weaker year which is exciting. We have bought one European horse for the race already and these European horses have such a head start on the Australian trained horses largely due to the training styles but more importantly the lack of programming available to the Australian horses. All the signs are a dozen or so horses will still come to Australia but they will be horses on a one-way ticket- meaning the European owned and trained won't be coming- which I'm certainly not unhappy about- our plan is to have two Group 1 ability horses on the plane and they will join local stables to prepare them for the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup. The biggest advantage these horses have is the Australian horses are yet to begin their racing after the break from the Autumn while these European horses are up and running.”
Australian Bloodstock has been building from strength to strength over the past few years.
“We have been quite fortunate. We have been building from our knowledge and today, we have the biggest bloodstock syndication business in Australia with the largest number of horses and the greatest success which we are very proud of.”
“We focus on elite performance. We have invested a lot of time and money in database creation, not to mention personal contacts and its something that allows us to avoid a lot of the pitfalls and with our database and contacts we now focus on racing in Australia, New Zeland, Japan and Europe which allows us to be picky and try and by those Elite performers which in turn provides a very rare racing experience for ourselves and our clients”