Partners to 'Rent' Vinery's Australian Property

One of the richest men in Australia, Gerry Harvey, has agreed to link up with Vinery's Tom Simon and use Vinery Stud in the Hunter Valley.

Harvey, who owns Harvey Norman Retail Stores, and his friend, multi-millionaire John Singleton are going to effectively "rent" the farm off Simon, who will still continue to shuttle his stallions to Australia. Singleton and Harvey also own the successful Magic Millions Sales Company.

Both Singleton and Harvey have their own flourishing broodmare farms but have hundreds of mares between them. They will now send some of their mares to Vinery and will have access to Simon's impressive array of stallions that include More Than Ready  , Mossman, and Red Ransom.

Simon, who recently sold all his Australian broodmares, yearlings and weanlings for close to AUS$42 million so that he could improve his Florida operation, still owns the Australian property and will stand his sires there.

Harvey and Singleton will cover all the costs of running Vinery, and Peter Orton, current Vinery general manager, will retain that position.