Boomer excited by HKJC opportunity
Australian bloodstock agent Craig Rounsefell is ready to embrace the opportunity afforded to him as the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Southern Hemisphere buyer.
Boomer Bloodstock’s Craig Rounsefell has taken up the position as the buyer for the Hong Kong Jockey Club at all the major Australian, New Zealand and South African sales in a massive feather in the cap for the Australian bloodstock agent.
Hong Kong Jockey Club pursued Rounsefell for the opportunity which will begin almost immediately with the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, which starts on January 8.
“It will involve all the selected Southern Hemisphere sales in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, looking to bolster the stock in Hong Kong for their sale in the coming year,” Rounsefell told TDN AusNZ.
Renowned New Zealand bloodstock identity Bruce Harvey of Ascot Farm, who already works closely with the Hong Kong Jockey Club as a breaker and preparer of horses, will assist Rounsefell in the selecting of horses across the major sales in each country.
“We will begin at Magics, move onto Karaka, then Melbourne and Easter and then onto South Africa,” Rounsefell said.
“We will begin at Magics, move onto Karaka, then Melbourne and Easter and then onto South Africa.” – Craig Rounsefell
The opportunity evolved out of a series of conversations between Rounsefell and the HKJC, who were looking for someone to facilitate their buying in the region.
“We had various conversations largely focused on my business and professional history up until this point,” he said.
“It came as a bit of a surprise for me, but it’s a perfect fit for my business. The Hong Kong Jockey Club pride themselves on integrity and that has been the cornerstone of my business since I established Boomer Bloodstock over a decade ago.
“As a client, the HKJC do not conflict with market space occupied by my other clients. I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”
A feather in the cap
Rounsefell admits it’s a high-water mark for the Boomer Bloodstock business which he started in 2008 to be working with one of the most respected racing bodies in the world.
“It’s just ticked over 11 years since I started Boomer Bloodstock. I’ve got a really good band of loyal clients behind me. For me this is a very proud moment,” he said.
“That the Hong Kong Jockey Club is held in such high regard in world racing and to be able to represent them in the Southern Hemisphere, for me, it’s something that I’m proud of and looking forward to fulfilling to the best of my ability.”
The Boomer Bloodstock business has been built with such opportunities in mind and Rounsefell has every confidence that the extra responsibilities with the HKJC will not impact his ability to continue to service his existing clients as well as any new opportunities which may arise.
“The sales I go to, I always look at every horse in the book. With this, it’s a different aspect. It’s a specific criteria of horses looking at colts that you think are going to be suitable for Hong Kong,” he said.
“I always look at every horse in the book. With this, it’s a different aspect. It’s a specific criteria of horses.” – Craig Rounsefell
“These are often the horses which for one reason or another, your clients are in another bracket, and so it’s going to be an exciting opportunity to buy these horses and be involved in their careers.”
The one new frontier which Boomer Bloodstock will be forging will be into South Africa, whose major yearling sale in late April closely follows the yearling sales season in Australia.
That only adds to the sense of anticipation for Rounsefell and his team.
“It’s exciting in many ways. Going to South Africa and seeing what that offers is going to be exciting for me.”
