Aquis Farm, one of the most prestigious farms in the Australian industry, was one of the first to confirm their runners. The I Am Invincible filly, trained by Toby Edmonds is their chosen champion. “We are delighted to have her represent us,” Aquis Farm CEO Shane McGrath said. Secretariat’s World interviews Mr Tony Fung, owner of the Aquis farm, discussing everything from his current passions to his future plans for Aquis and the trends he foresees for the global racing industry.
Q- Tell us a bit about Mr Tony Fung (Some background such as where was he born, where did he grow up and what were his early interests?)
A- Tony Fung is a Hong Kong based private investment banker, financier and investor. He has more than 40 years’ experience in global financial services and investment, including more than 15 years as an active investor in Queensland. Mr Fung is a highly regarded businessman with a sound and long standing business and personal reputation in the Hong Kong business community.
Mr Fung is the second son of legendary Hong Kong banker and investor Fung King Hey, who founded Sun Hung Kai Securities, the then largest financial services company in Hong Kong and Sun Hung Kai Bank, the first Hong Kong bank to receive a full banking licence after the 1965 government moratorium on the granting of banking licences. At one point in the mid-1980s the Fung family was the single largest shareholder in Merrill Lynch and controlled a number of companies listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange.
Since 1996, Mr Fung has invested heavily in the strongly performed Hong Kong commercial property market. His personal property portfolio also currently comprises shopping malls, serviced apartments and office buildings as well a significant land bank in China. He also has investments in other international locations including California.
During his early years, Tony studied in Canada, and pursued a brief career as a professional go kart racer.
Q- How did he develop an interest in horses? Would it be correct to say that he is a hands-on owner?
A- Tony’s father was an enthusiastic horse owner for many years and Tony himself is a long time voting member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, while his son, Justin, is an avid racing fan with a growing enthusiasm for the breeding side of the business. Tony considers himself a hands-on owner, but is happy to give his employees the freedom and autonomy to drive the business to success.
Q- Racing is a leisure pursuit for most. With so much on the go, what aspect of racing does Mr. Fung enjoy the most?
A- Tony like any owner, loves to see his horses in the winner’s circle. However, his main passion is breeding. He takes great interest in and derives tremendous pleasure from establishing the Aquis breeding operation and is excited about expanding the bloodline and delivering clients’ success on the track.
Q- Please tell us a little about your philosophy at Aquis Farm about bloodlines as to what makes it good?
A- Aquis Farm understands the importance of offering a diversity of bloodlines. To accommodate our clients, we have incorporated both proven and emerging bloodlines, Danehill and outcross bloodlines, Australian and international bloodlines. But diversity alone is not enough. Aquis has focused on acquiring bloodlines of exceptional quality, because it is this combination of diversity and quality that will achieve the greatest results.
Q- How big is the Aquis Farm operation? Please tell us about the farm.
A- Aquis Farm operates out of two properties. One at Canungra in Queensland and the other in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales. Combined the properties cover nearly 2,000 hectares of prime land. We own almost 200 broodmares and are supporting a significant number of these with the 11 stallions currently standing at the two properties.
Our Queensland property is spread over 447-hectares and is a fully equipped breeding, agistment and training facility. It includes a fully irrigated 1800 metre premium grass track and a 1750 metre all weather sand track. Complete with extensive water facilities such as an aqua walker and a 65-metre lap pool, it has all the amenities for trainers to bring out the best in their runners.
The stables can hold up to 80 horses in training (with many more in day yards and paddocks). The facilities include separate foaling paddocks, a hospital barn and vet stations; this ensures all horses are provided with around the clock care and management.
Our recent acquisition and our second property, Emirates Park, is based in Murrurundi, New South Wales. It is spread over 1515 hectares and the acquisition of this prestigious property has given us a foothold in the Hunter Valley – the horse capital of Australia.
This historic property boasts some of the finest grounds to grow young horses and numerous champions were born and raised here, including the likes of Encosta de Lago, Shamekha, Theseo and residing stallion Al Maher. We look forward to continuing this proud tradition and increasing our stallion roster in New South Wales and Queensland in the years to come.
The construction of both facilities is of the highest standard, guaranteeing all horses receive the best quality care and service.
With numerous separate residences spread across both farms and our senior staff living full time on these properties, there is constant care, supervision and observation of every aspect of a horse’s life at Aquis Farm.
Q- Please tell us more about how your plans to target/market to Asia in order to succeed in your vision. What is the ultimate goal of Aquis Farm that will fulfil all of Mr. Fung's aspirations as an owner and a breeder?
A- Our desire is to see Aquis Farm become one of the most successful and respected breeding operations in Australia with a strong reputation in international markets. China offers interesting opportunities as we expect to see significant growth in the number of racing owners and fans in the future. This growth will be vital to the future of the global industry, and any business that is well-situated to take advantage of this growth will reap great rewards.
As a breeder, Tony wants to see his young sires produce winners on the track. He is very proud that Aquis stood last year’s most popular first season sire, Spill the Beans (son of Snitzel), who covered more than 200 quality mares. Watching this first crop succeed on the track will be very important to Tony and Aquis.
Q- What would Mr. Fung say, has been his greatest moment / sense of achievement as an owner and breeder?
A- During our first year at stud in 2016, Aquis stood the nation’s most popular first season sire, Spill the Beans who covered 202 mares in his first season. This was more than any other first season sire, and more than any other sire in Queensland. But this is just the beginning, as Aquis is standing three freshman sires this season: Divine Prophet, Kiss And Make Up and Furnaces. We look forward to replicating our success with these young stallions this year, and into the future.
Q- How does he see racing, breeding and developing in the ANZ region?
A- Tony recognises the strength and sustainability of the racing and breeding industries in the ANZ region. Their growth is easily identified through record sales across the region, and throughout the year. The demand for quality stock has never been higher, and Aquis is eager to be involved in the continuing growth of these industries.
Q- And lastly, with racing a pretty all-consuming pastime, what are Mr. Fung's interests outside of racing?
A- Tony is an avid golfer. You can often find him at his personal estate in Noosa, where he designed and built a private 18-hole golf course. He also enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and family.