Aquis appoints Irish-born Paddy Power as chief operations officer

Aquis Group, the fast-growing Australian-based racing and bloodstock empire owned by Hong Kong's Fung family, has appointed Irish-born Paddy Power as its chief operations officer.

Power undertook a Master's in business studies at University College Dublin and worked for Goodbody Stockbrokers before relocating to the Hunter Valley in New South Wales to join Coolmore Australia as business manager.

He served as a member of the Coolmore Australia advisory board and acted as treasurer of Thoroughbred Breeders New South Wales and the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

Power also played an important role in the successful fight that resulted in Anglo American's application to build an open-cut coal mine adjacent to Coolmore and Darley studs in the Hunter Valley being refused.

Aquis CEO Shane McGrath said: “Aquis has seen significant growth over the past four years. From our original investment in Canungra in 2015 to taking over the management of Emirates Park in 2017, in addition to our ongoing investment in breeding and racing interests, the commitment of the Fung family to the Australian bloodstock industry continues apace.

“Bringing someone of Paddy's calibre onto the team will be a significant asset in supporting Aquis Farm's continued growth and development in Australia and helping to realise the Fung family's full vision for Aquis into the future.”

Power will join Aquis on March 4. The farm boasts 16 names on its stallion roster, including the likes of Domesday, Holy Roman Emperor and Husson, and it has just bought a controlling interest in leading South Australian two-year-old Free Of Debt, who is headed to this month's Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield.

“I'm hugely excited to be joining the team at Aquis,” said Power. “To have witnessed the development of the company over the past four years has been truly phenomenal and to be afforded the opportunity to be a part of that continued progression into the future is an opportunity that I am very much looking forward to.

“The past seven years at Coolmore Australia have been the most fulfilling of my life on both a personal and professional level and I'm immensely grateful, in particular to the Magnier family, but also to the entire team at Coolmore for the experience I have gained and opportunities I have been afforded throughout my time here.”