The world’s polo playing elite is gearing up for billionaire James Packer’s polo pony sale in the Hunter Valley, sparked by his lack of time stemming from other business pursuits.
Ponies stabled at the property, Ellerston, were one of the late Kerry Packer’s greatest passions.
But it is the end of an era, with 140 to be sold at auction this Saturday.
Some share bloodlines with ponies used by royalty, and selling agent Mark Barton said there has been a huge response.
“You know, these horses themselves, they have actually earned celebrity status,” he said.
“Some of the lines of genetics that are through this catalogue, based on the performance of breeding, but also based on the performance on the polo field.”
Mr Barton said the Packer family is synonymous with polo, and the catalogue includes world class horses.
“A number of people offshore have inquired, that have seen this opportunity, and in fact you have seen full siblings sold internationally,” he said.
“So that has got certainly, not only a lot of interest, but I think there’ll be an enormous crowd.
“I think people are expecting a number of lots that will be highly sought after.”
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-08/end-of-an-era-as-packer-family-sells-off-hunter-valley-polo-pon/6835940