4 days ago
Veteran Bloodstock Agent Michael Wallace Dies
Veteran Bloodstock Agent Michael Wallace Dies originally appeared on Paulick Report.
Michael Wallace, a bloodstock agent who was part of the group that secured Triple Crown winner Justify at auction, died on the evening of June 7.
His death was confirmed Sunday on the social media accounts of Ardsley Stud in New Zealand, owned by his parents, Jim and Mary Wallace.
A New Zealand native, Wallace grew up on Ardsley Stud, which was purchased by his grandfather in 1971. He was a graduate of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Sunline Scholarship, an immersive Thoroughbred industry training program, and he served his externship at Rich Hill Farm in his home country.
Wallace is best known for his eight-year run as chief operating officer of China Horse Club, where he played a major part in the group's acquisitions during its early years.
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Chief among those acquisitions was the purchase of a $500,000 Scat Daddy colt in partnership with Maverick Racing, the nom-de-sales ticket of WinStar Farm CEO Elliott Walden, at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Later named Justify, the colt would go on to sweep the 2018 Triple Crown and sell to the Coolmore partnership on a stud deal worth a reported $75 million.
Justify highlighted the more than Grade or Group 1 victories and five Eclipse Awards earned by China Horse Club during his time with the company.
After leaving China Horse Club in 2021, Wallace became an independent bloodstock agent for clients around the globe, including Vincent and Teresa Viola's St. Elias Stable, where he was on the team that landed Grade 1 winner Mindframe. He also worked for Kuldeep Singh Rajput's Gandharvi Racing Stables, where his domestic successes Grade 3 winner Hall of Fame, owned in tandem with the Coolmore partnership.
Wallace is survived by his wife Kristi and five children.
This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
