Latest news with #Stokes
Extra.ie
12 hours ago
- Business
- Extra.ie
John Magnier's wife: €15m deal was sealed over drinks...then we all had dinner together
The wife of billionaire John Magnier has told the High Court about the meeting she and her husband hosted at Coolmore Stud, in a bid to seal a deal for a neighbouring farm. Susan Magnier, 71, the daughter of legendary Irish trainer Vincent O'Brien said she had asked her staff to ensure there was dinner available for Barne Estate owners Richard Thomson-Moore and his wife Anna. The court heard how the couple were welcomed at the front door at around 8pm on August 22, 2023, and were shown into the open-plan kitchen-dining area, where the meeting was held around the long kitchen table, which can seat 16. John Magnier. Pic: Collins Courts Ms Magnier sat at one end of the table, while her husband was seated at the other, with selling agent John Stokes and farm manager Joe Holohan to one side, and the Thomson-Moores to the other. A member of staff served drinks, while another was ready to serve food if required, she said. Giving evidence by videolink, Ms Magnier said Mr Stokes had been told by her husband that the Thomson-Moores should come to Coolmore only if they wanted to do a deal to sell the 751-acre Tipperary property. Susan Magnier. Pic: OLIVIER LABAN-MATTEI/AFP via Getty Images The Magniers were preparing to travel to Brussels the following day, to watch their grandchildren compete in a show-jumping competition. 'My husband John would have told me that's what the hope was, that he could do a deal that night,' she said. Earlier yesterday, Mr Magnier, 77, had explained: 'I wasn't going to leave a bid of €15million on the table while I went off show-jumping with the grandchildren. Richard Thomson Moore and Anna Thomson Moore. Pic: Tom Honan 'That's the reason I went from €11.25million to €15million, so we would have absolute certainty, and that was the basis on which they came to the house.' Mr Magnier has sued Richard Thomson-Moore and the holding company of the Barne Estate shares, in a bid to secure the deal he contends was made to buy the land for €15million on August 22, 2023. Construction magnate Maurice Regan made a later bid of €22.5million for the farm, and the sale is on hold pending the outcome of the case. Ms Magnier said Anna Thomson-Moore made small talk, but 'never opened her mouth' about the land negotiations. She said the main business of the night was discussed between her husband and Mr Stokes. 'I know we finished up on €15million,' she said. After saying they were going to call the trustees and Mr Thomson-Moore's sister, she said Mr Stokes returned, closely followed by the Thomson-Moores. 'Mr Stokes came through the door first,' she said. 'He was very elated and said the deal was done. He was directly followed by the two Thomson-Moores, who were clearly delighted the deal was done,' she said. 'Everybody was happy. We all shook hands… I asked them would they stay for dinner, and they said they would.' The conversation over dinner was 'light and light-hearted', she said. Farm manager Joe Holohan, who has worked for Mr Magnier for more than 35 years, confirmed he was also at the meeting, and was 'honoured' to be asked. 'To be there at a deal being done by Mr Magnier and that – it was going down in history,' Mr Holohan said. He said Mr Magnier had admired the farm for many years, and that they went to see it immediately after Mr Stokes confirmed it was on the market. He recalled overhearing a phone conversation in the car between Mr Regan and Mr Magnier's son-in-law, David Wachman, after Mr Regan learned of the Coolmore 'deal' for the farm. He said of Mr Regan: 'He was giving out a lot. He said he would give €5million more for it. He was well agitated, I assure you.' Yesterday morning, Mr Magnier told the court Mr Regan outbid him for land right beside Coolmore on a previous occasion. He said Mr Regan now lived next door to him, saying: 'I hope we are going to be good neighbours… He's right beside us. I can see him from the bedroom window.' Mr Magnier said he visited Mr Regan after issuing legal proceedings against the Thomson-Moores. Mr Regan is not a party to the action. Mr Magnier said he was legally precluded from revealing what was said. 'He gave me some information I am not allowed to use… I have information that would be beneficial for me to use, gained at that meeting. I have not used it. I would like if I could bring into the open what was said there.' Defence barrister Martin Hayden queried why Mr Magnier had not challenged the wording of an exclusivity agreement and a tillage agreement, which were drawn up following the meeting of August 22. Neither referred to a binding agreement having been made on that date but mentioned that discussions were to take place between both sides, counsel said. 'I knew what happened on the 22nd, because I did it myself. I did not do this [the documentation],' Mr Magnier replied. He remained adamant that no mention was made at the meeting of a need for the estate's trustees to approve any deal. The case continues next week.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas Route 66 Festival revs up with 10 days of fun across Amarillo and Panhandle towns
The Texas Route 66 Festival returns June 5-14, celebrating classic cars, Western heritage and small-town charm along the iconic highway with 10 days of events across Amarillo and neighboring historic Route 66 towns in Texas. Organizers say this year's festival is the biggest yet and a full-scale lead-up to the Route 66 centennial in 2026. At a press conference Thursday, May 29, the Amarillo Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) shared how the festival continues to grow, drawing tourists, boosting local business and uniting communities along the Texas stretch of Route 66. 'We're incredibly excited. This is our third year to do the 10-day festival,' said Kashion Smith, executive director of the Amarillo CVB. 'We've got many partners not only in Amarillo but throughout Texas Route 66 that participate and put on their own events that are themed to Route 66 and placed under the festival umbrella.' The festival showcases both Amarillo attractions and destinations across the Panhandle, aiming to create lasting experiences for out-of-town guests while strengthening the region's economic engine. 'If you want something that's very Western, you can come in at the beginning and do the cattle drive,' Smith said. 'If you want something more traditionally Route 66, you can do the finale, which is vendors and a car show and has a little more of that nostalgic feel.' Hope Stokes, director of marketing for the Amarillo CVB, spoke about the financial boost events like this provide to the region's businesses. 'I visually see cash going from hands into cash registers — that's $1,900 per minute going straight into local businesses,' Stokes said. 'And that's from people who don't live here or use our amenities year-round. It's hugely impactful.' Stokes said the bureau has invested more than $100,000 this year in Route 66 marketing, a campaign aimed at increasing visibility for Amarillo and surrounding destinations. 'Normally our marketing is Amarillo overall,' she said. 'But this centennial and these 10 days allow us to do a huge investment in promoting the Route 66 brand in Texas.' Smith also responded to questions raised by some merchants in the Amarillo Route 66 Historic District about whether the event drives foot traffic to local stores. 'Whether or not they're seeing wonderful sales during that time, we bring vendors in and there's a lot of shopping options,' Smith said. 'People come down for the experience. What's key is that during the finale, we put so much marketing dollars behind Route 66 in Texas. It's not just about that day — it's about building awareness that drives people back.' Smith encouraged shop owners to stay visible and proactive during the festival. 'The connections made during these 10 days lead to visits again in October, December, or next summer,' she said. 'We want people to discover a place they'll come back to.' Thursday, June 5 Coors Cowboy Club Ranch Rodeo Kick-Off | Amarillo National Center First Thursday on 6th | Amarillo Route 66 Historic District Karaoke on Route 66 | Old Tascosa Brewery Friday, June 6 11:30 a.m.: Bull and Bloom | Cactus Cove 3 p.m.: Celebrity Fast Draw 6 p.m.: Night Under the Neon | U-Drop Inn, Shamrock Saturday, June 7 10 a.m.: Coors Cowboy Club Cattle Drive | Downtown Amarillo 10 a.m.: 60 Years on the Square | Wolflin Square 5 p.m.: Coors Cowboy Club Ranch Rodeo Sunday, June 8 9 a.m.: Run the Gap 6 p.m.: Low Rider Cruise | Will Rogers Park Monday, June 9 6:30 p.m.: Amarillo Film Society Screening | Goldenlight Tuesday, June 10 7:30 p.m.: June Jazz | Amarillo College Wednesday, June 11 8 a.m.–5 p.m.: TX 66 East Bus Tour 12 p.m.: High Noon on the Square | Potter County Courthouse Lawn 5 p.m.: Big Texan Soiree | The Big Texan Steak Ranch Thursday, June 12 8 a.m.-5 p.m.: TX 66 West Bus Tour 5:30 p.m.: Texas Route 66 Visitor Center Celebration 5:30 p.m.: Comedy on 6th | The Bliss 66 Friday, June 13 After sunset: Hot Rods and Hollywood | Tascosa Drive-In Saturday, June 14 Fitness @ KT Black Route 66 5K Texas Route 66 Festival Finale | Route 66 Historic District, Amarillo The event concludes with the Route 66 Festival Finale on June 14 in Amarillo's Historic District — a one-mile celebration packed with music, vendors, food trucks, and a new pet pageant. 'This is not a block party,' Smith said. 'It's a family-friendly event, and all the kids' activities are free.' Back for another year as host is Guy Bell, better known as Bellbis, who keeps the crowd energized throughout the finale. 'I'm so blessed to be hosting the finale again,' Bell said. 'A lot of people think of a festival as a one-day thing — this is 10 days of fun. Don't miss the bus tours either. I've lived here my whole life and still learned new things.' Bell added, 'We've got great bands, and I'm going to keep the energy going all night.' Smith said the 2025 event is a full-scale practice run for the centennial, with plans to expand the footprint of the finale, introduce smaller year-round pop-up events, and align with celebrations in Missouri and Oklahoma. 'A little bit of support can go such a long way,' she said. 'When business groups feel supported, they thrive — and the visitor experience improves with that partnership.' For the complete schedule and more information on events in Amarillo and Route 66 attractions across Texas, go to This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Texas Route 66 Festival 2025: Amarillo area events & full schedule
Calgary Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
In the moods: Calgary's Mariya Stokes releases debut album with songs about vulnerability and empowerment
Article content On Mariya Stokes' debut album, Mood Ring, one of the key songs almost didn't make it onto the track list. Article content Article content Largely recorded live off the floor in only a few takes, Chantelle is a cheerful number about the secret romance between two women that began when they were teenagers. Article content 'I won't tell, if you won't tell,' Stokes sings over an endearing country-pop vibe. One of the song's producers, Calgary's Justin Kudding, was a big proponent of the tune and argued with Stokes about including it on the album. He insisted they give it a go, but Stokes was unsure. Article content Article content 'The band sat down and there was no pre-production, we had no idea what was going to come out,' says Stokes in an interview from her Calgary home. 'It was magic on take one. While it sounds poppy, I don't think there is any programming on that song. It's a live band. It's incredible and one of the coolest moments I've ever had in the studio. He was right. He had a vision and the whole band jumped on it.' Article content Article content Lyrically, the sexy tale of a same-sex relationship may still raise eyebrows in the world of country music, which tends to lean right and has been slow to embrace diversity with the same enthusiasm as other segments of the industry. But Stokes says things are changing for LGBTQ+ artists in the genre. Article content 'It's 2025 and I'm a queer artist and that song explores me discovering that and reconciling with my identity and trying to figure out how to come out,' Stokes says. 'I think the industry is changing for sure. I think there is more representation, there are more spaces that are safe for queer people. Sometimes, we still have to look for them. T he Blue Jay Sessions in Calgary is a really great example of that. There are a lot of queer people that are looking for music that is about their experiences. I know I am.' Article content Article content Chantelle isn't the only song on the record that delves into identity. The ballad Rebound, which Stokes first released as a single in 2021, and the mid-tempo Biggest Fan, are also songs where 'gender isn't specified,' Stokes says. Article content 'Yeah, you can fall in love with all kinds of kinds,' she says with a laugh. Article content The 14 songs on Mood Ring showcase a number of tones and often veer into different styles, from pop music to R&B. Closing track Patron Saint is a sultry torch song, while the sly Christmas, Arizona, with its narrative about a woman stalking a man, plays like a salty honkytonk sing-along. Article content In general, the album showcases an artist intent on sticking to her vision. The newest single, for instance, has the very non-Nashville title F–k Pretty and has Stokes taking on beauty standards over a funky bass line.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Thinking of becoming a manager? Consider this first, Salesforce exec says.
Salesforce exec Patrick Stokes advises against going into management simply to move up the ladder. He told BI that he became a manager because he wanted to lead others and share his vision. Stokes said if you value personal growth, you should be willing to try a new role that isn't a level up. Transitioning to management might feel like a natural next step in your career. But Patrick Stokes, a Salesforce executive, cautions that it might not necessarily be the right path for everyone. "I think it's easy for people to be enamored with the growth of kind of moving up the ranks, rather than the growth of themselves personally," Stokes, the executive vice president of product and industries marketing, told Business Insider. Stokes, in a conversation during Salesforce's Agentforce World Tour in New York City, said whenever people tell him they want to move into management, he asks them why. Usually, people say that "it's the next step," he told BI — and that's not enough of a reason. "No, you need to know why you want to be a manager, because now you have to inspire a team," Stokes said. "You have to think about your day-to-day job very differently." Lori Castillo Martinez, Salesforce's EVP of talent growth and development, shared a similar sentiment in a previous interview with BI. "Being a deep expert isn't always an indicator of being a great manager," she said, adding that collaboration and task management skills are more important, and the best managers are those who can analyze their teams and maximize productivity. Responsibilities naturally shift when you transition from an individual contributor to a manager. Stokes said that if you take on a management role, you may not be able to do some of the things you value. Stokes, who started out as a developer and transitioned multiple times in his career, said he moved into management because he wanted to be a leader, and he was already acting like one. The Salesforce executive showcased the contrast in responsibilities between an individual contributor and a manager at the company's Agentforce conference. At the executive level, the job involves more than simply managing massive teams — it can often include public speaking at high-profile events. Stokes gave a keynote address at the event, opening with an anecdote about recent events in New York City. Then, he introduced the company's digital workforce of AI agents, Agentforce, along with other speakers, all while walking through an auditorium of hundreds of people and talking directly to a video camera that trailed him. Stokes said he's always had strong opinions and a desire to rally others around his vision. Even in high school, he found himself leading projects, despite frequently sitting in the back of the classroom. He said he didn't announce himself as the leader, but he was often the one coming up with ideas and convincing others to get on board. "That's what you really need to have if you want to go into leadership," Stokes said. Stokes said that as soon as he feels "not nervous" about an event or meeting, he wants to try something new, and he's a big advocate of changing roles. The exec said some people tend to "think too narrowly" about change and only want to switch roles if it's "growth within the org chart." "If you value the growth, the personal growth that you're going to get from that new role, enough, you should be willing to take a step back to go forward," Stokes said. Outside work, Stokes likes to play chess. He said there's a concept in chess called a "gambit" — fans of the hit Netflix show "The Queen's Gambit" will be familiar — where you make what appears to be a bad move, but it's actually designed to get a reaction from an opponent. Stokes said that's how he likes to think about his career changes — seemingly risky but strategic in the long term. "When I first went into marketing, a lot of my peers and product were like, 'Why are you going to marketing?' And I'm like, 'Just wait. It'll be fine. I'm gonna be great,'" Stokes said. Read the original article on Business Insider
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
$202 billion and 11% of Australia's GDP: Meet the top 10 billionaires
10. Kerry Srokes – $12.7 billion Live Events 9. Nicola Forrest – $12.8 billion 8. Ivan Glasenberg – $13.3 billion 7. Michael Dorrel – $13.8 billion 6. Melanie Perkins & Cliff Obrecht – $14.1 billion 5. Clive Palmer – $20.1 billion 4. Scott Farquhar – $21.4 billion 3. Anthony Pratt & family – $25.9 billion 2. Harry Triguboff – $29.6 billion 1. Gina Rinehart – $38.1 Billion (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Australian Financial Review (AFR) has released its 2025 Rich List, revealing the nation's wealthiest individuals. The top 10 richest individuals now hold a combined wealth equal to over 11% of the country's annual economic year's list includes enduring magnates and notable newcomers. The top 10 hold a combined fortune of $202 billion, marking a 9.2% decrease from the previous year, mainly due to fluctuations in commodity is the list of Australia's top 10 billionaires in reverse chronological Stokes is a media mogul and businessman. He chairs Seven Group Holdings, which controls the Seven Network, a top Australian TV broadcaster. He also has stakes in the construction and aged care sectors. Known for his philanthropic work, Stokes supports arts and education. Despite his success, he has faced criticism over media concentration and political her separation from mining magnate Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest, Nicola has established herself as a billionaire independently. Her wealth largely comes from shares in Fortescue Metals Group, a major iron ore producer. Nicola is active in philanthropy, focusing on education and the arts, and maintains a low public profile compared to her Glasenberg is the former CEO and now major shareholder of Glencore, one of the world's largest commodity trading and mining companies. He built his fortune through strategic investments in mining and commodities. Glasenberg is known for his low-key personal life and has faced scrutiny over Glencore's environmental and ethical Dorrel is an Australian businessman best known for his ventures in logistics and infrastructure. He co-founded the infrastructure investment firm IFM Investors, which manages substantial assets globally. Dorrel maintains a relatively private personal life and has been praised for his long-term investment Perkins and Cliff Obrecht are co-founders of Canva , the globally popular graphic design platform. Their company has transformed digital creativity, reaching hundreds of millions of users worldwide. Perkins is noted as one of Australia's youngest billionaires and a leading female tech entrepreneur. Both are involved in philanthropy, supporting education and tech Palmer is a mining magnate and controversial political figure. His wealth comes mainly from iron ore mining. Palmer founded the United Australia Party, which has stirred debates due to its heavy political spending. Critics argue his political activities are intended to safeguard and promote his business Farquhar is the co-founder of Atlassian, a global software giant. His innovative leadership helped Atlassian become a dominant player in enterprise software. Farquhar invests heavily in startups and supports climate change initiatives. He is known for his philanthropy in education and Pratt heads Visy Industries, a major packaging and recycling company with global reach. His business focuses on sustainability and innovation in materials management. Pratt is Australia's only billionaire in the packaging sector and is involved in charitable work, including support for medical research and Triguboff is Australia's largest residential developer and the founder of Meriton Group. He has built thousands of apartments and significantly influenced urban development. Known for his blunt public comments, Triguboff has sometimes clashed with local authorities over housing policies. He remains a dominant force in Australian real Rinehart leads Hancock Prospecting, a mining company with large iron ore interests. She remains Australia's richest person for the sixth year running. Although her wealth dropped slightly due to the fall in the price of iron ore, she holds vast influence. Rinehart is known for her conservative political views and opposition to some tax reforms, which have sparked public debate.
