The racing and bloodstock world is saddened by the passing of renowned bloodstock agent Anton Koolman at age 82.
He died peacefully on the weekend surrounded by his wife and family.
Born in New Zealand, Anton had a lifelong passion for horses that shaped his early years and led from equestrian to race horse training and ultimately into bloodstock where he became highly successful.
In later years, he specialized in the Hong Kong market achieving great results for Hermitage Thoroughbreds, establishing their Australian farm and purchasing horses such as dual Oaks winner Egg Tart and Champion 3YO Colt The Autumn Sun, now a promising young sire for Arrowfield Stud.
He also purchased and part-owned Group I winning fillies Youngstar and Funstar for an ownership group that included his great friends Arthur and Charlotte Inglis.
The two fillies were three-quarter sisters and both were sold at the end of their racing careers to Japanese breeder Katsumi Yoshida for a combined total of $4.1million.
Below is a 2018 intereview with Anton on his involvement with Youngstar who won the 2018 Queensland Oaks.
Anton is survived by his wife of 50 years Marg and sons Oliver, Miles and Andrew.
Funeral details will be confirmed in coming days.
