Nathan Tinkler’s fire sale of his thorougbreds has come to a quick and controversial end on the Gold Coast with the mining magnate pulling some horses out before they were auctioned.
It appears the one-time billionaire will retain an interest in the sport, with Magic Millions confirming 22 of Patinack Farm’s horses had been withdrawn from the catalogue ahead of Friday’s sale.
Among those withdrawn are several gallopers set to contest Group races in Brisbane on Saturday.
It’s also been revealed some of the horses were bought back by Mr Tinkler.
It’s not the first time Mr Tinkler has withdrawn large numbers on the eve of a sale, with the embattled businessman banned from selling through Inglis for doing a similar thing last year.
The massive sell off of his horses came after he failed to find a buyer for his entire Patinack Farm racing and breeding operation in the Hunter Valley and Queensland.
His stud farms remain on the market.
As the horses went up for sale, a company, owed money after the collapse of Mr Tinkler’s Mulsanne Resources, tried to freeze his assets in court.
It recent days he’s settled a $12-million debt with miner Blackwood.
