John Ferguson

William Sporborg has been appointed as the new Chair of Jockey Club Estates. Sporborg succeeds Peter Stanley, who has been Chair since 2018. Sporborg's new role will begin on Jan. 1, 2023, and he was also appointed a Steward of The Jockey Club.  A former amateur jockey, Newmarket-based Sporborg is a chartered accountant. He has worked in private equity, venture capital and private companies over the last 30, and is currently Managing Partner at Managing Capital, LLP. He has also served on the race committees at Huntingdon and Newmarket almost...

Noted bloodstock agent, former trainer and well-known industry figure John Ferguson has been appointed to the Board of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), the sport's governing and regulatory body. He is one of two Member-Nominated Directors as nominated by the TBA, ROA and NTF (acting on behalf of Licensed Personnel). Ferguson takes over from Luca Cumani, whose term on the BHA Board has ended. Ferguson has held a wide variety of positions within the Thoroughbred industry. He served as stable staff and assistant to trainer Sir Michael Stoute and, on...

It was certainly a busy week of action on both sides of the Atlantic. Here's a sample of what went on, and what should be on your radar. Headline Maker... With Early Voting's Classic win at Pimlico Saturday, the colt became Gun Runner's fifth Grade I winner. It's a remarkable stat for any stallion, especially one so early in his stud career. It looks likely the Three Chimneys stallion will vie with the mighty Into Mischief for the honor of being America's most expensive sire over the next few years....

Desert Party (Street Cry {Ire}--Sage Cat, by Tabasco Cat), a graded/group winner at ages two, three and four, has been sold to continue his stud career in Saudi Arabia. The deal was brokered by Chad Schumer of Chad Schumer Bloodstock. Bred in Kentucky by David Smith and Steven Sinatra, Desert Party was purchased by Paul Pompa, Jr. for $425,000 at the 2007 Keeneland September sale, then watched as his pinhook prospect topped the Fasig-Tipton Calder Sale on John Ferguson's bid of $2.1 million less than six months later. Winner of...

Who has been the biggest inspiration in your career and why? DL: I find this question very difficult to answer. Like most in the industry, I have been lucky enough to work with a wide range of people over the years. I like to think I have picked up things from many of them. Coming from a non-horsey but sporty family background, it was my parents who encouraged me to 'beg, borrow and steal' ponies to ride and fostered the belief that if you want something enough, you will work...