John Stewart on a Mission to Conquer Australian Horse Racing

Finance and investment tycoon John Stewart has embarked on a surprising journey to build a world-class breeding program for thoroughbred racehorses.

The Lexington resident’s three-decade love affair with the sport has blossomed into a fully-fledged mission to leave his mark on the racing world.

Stewart’s foray into breeding began in 2022 when he acquired his first yearling at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, which served as the launching pad for his racing operation.

Driven by a deep respect for the sport and a desire to make a lasting impact, Stewart wasn’t content with just acquiring horses.

He set his sights on purchasing property in Midway to support his new venture in addition to preserving Kentucky’s rich heritage and creating jobs for the locals.
Since establishing Resolute Farm in Midway, the property has seen a flurry of activity. Stewart has spent fortunes amassing a collection of high-profile breeding and racing prospects.

But unlike many people in the industry, he prioritises pedigree. He recognised a trend towards thin bloodlines in American racing and began importing top mares from Europe to infuse his program with depth and quality.

Stewart is meticulous with his selection process. He focuses on accomplished racehorses with superior pedigree and is keen to breed those capable of dominating Graded Stakes races, which is the pinnacle of thoroughbred competition.

He envisions Resolute Farm as a breeding powerhouse and prioritises racing his horses over flipping them for profits. Stewart’s long-term goal is to raise the bar in the racing industry by developing a robust broodmare band that will eventually produce its own stallions.

His audacious ambition led him to venture into the Australian racing scene through the part-acquisition of Storm Boy, marking an exciting new chapter in his pursuits.

Stewart Makes Ambitious Play for Stud Status in Australian Racing

As the private equity powerhouse behind MiddleGround Capital, Stewart announced his arrival in the world of Australian thoroughbred racing in the second half of 2023.
He made waves by splashing out over $25 million at public auctions over a whirlwind ten-week period to bolster his plans of becoming one of the most influential owner-breeders in the sport.

There’s seemingly no limit to Stewart’s ambition. He started with a single horse in September last year, but his vision has snowballed rapidly. His Resolute Racing empire now boasts over 100 horses and a 1,000-acre farm to accommodate his ‘breed to race’ grand plans.

Stewart purchased a part share in Magic Millions winner Storm Boy which bolstered his passion for Australian racing. He later acquired six yearlings at the Inglis Easter Sale before making another power play at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale, securing the Chris Waller-trained Tutta La Vita for a whopping $3.2m.

Eager to bolster his stock further, Stewart’s drive reached new heights at the just concluded Magic Millions mare sales. He was keen to purchase super mare Imperatriz, claiming he could pull the 10-time Group 1 winner out of retirement and continue racing.
He believes many talented horses are retired from racing too early, with connections looking to cash in at the breeding barn instead, and was willing to go as high as $6m for the super mare.

However, things didn’t pan out as he expected as he lost out on the bid for Imperatri, who was sold for an Australian record $6.6m.

Imperatriz Setback Unlikely to Halt Stewart’s Momentum

Stewart’s pursuit of Australian horse racing royalty undoubtedly took a blow after he was outbid for the iconic Imperatriz.

Yulong Investments, owned by Chinese billionaire Yuesheng Zhang, secured the champion mare for a fee that surpassed the Australian sale record of $5m for Milanova back in 2008.
The setback comes after Stewart was outmanoeuvred last month at an auction for Winx’s Pierro filly despite bidding $9m.

However, these high-profile duels only highlight Stewart’s unwavering commitment to becoming a major player in Australian racing.

Stewart is eager to expand his portfolio of thoroughbred bloodstock in Australia, and his recent acquisition of six yearlings at a Sydney sale emphasises his dedication.

Horse racing bettors in Australia will be keeping an eye on the American’s breeding program, which is poised to undergo robust growth in the long run.

Stewart’s innovative breeding and training techniques have the potential to reshape the Australian racing landscape. As his horses continue to compete, their success will undoubtedly attract the attention of Aussie punters.

The heightened interest should translate into increased activity on the best betting sites in Australia, as punters turn to Stewart’s horses in their search for high-performing options.

Under the banner of Resolute Racing, Stewart is committed to becoming a prominent figure in Australian horse racing and the scourge of online bookmakers.

Despite losing out on the bids for Winx’s Pierro filly and Imperatriz, Stewart has shown he’s passionate about Australian racing and isn’t afraid to splash the cash to make his mark on the horse racing scene.