Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
In today's installment of 2022 Rapid Round, we feature a quick-fire round with Clint Donovan, the Director at Donovan + Co. Property Specialists.
TDN AusNZ: What was your first job in the thoroughbred industry?
Clint Donovan: Initially it was a bid spotting role at Magic Millions, somehow coming up 20 years ago?! Having attended the sale in my late teens, I could not fathom the prices achieved for yearlings at this most spectacular event held a couple of hours up the road from home. Stu Ramsey introduced me to the Magic Millions team and advised (in his own unique way) that I’d be a good bid spotter and even better auctioneer for the future.
TDN AusNZ: What pathways led you to become the Principal at Donovan + Co. Property Specialists?
CD: Growing up in a family owned stock and station agency, getting off the school bus at the cattle yards, Saturdays at clearing sales and essentially helping farmers sell assets was my childhood. It was bred into me at a very young age to naturally be in the agency/service industry. Doing the right thing by the client, with a long-term view, would be the way to describe the Donovan family values set by my folks, Ray and Helen, and now carried on by brother Mitch and myself.
Clint's business cards when working for the family business
The urge to be a business owner in my late 30s led me to eventually branch out into rural and equine property transactions, given the strong relationships and good-will created inside the industry already.
Funnily enough, the original idea was residential property in my favourite place, Burleigh Heads where we live, however a slap in the face from a few existing clients requiring assistance to sell their thoroughbred farms, it became evident there was a niche that needed filling with nobody nationwide specialising in equine facilities.
TDN AusNZ: Can you describe a normal day working at Donovan + Co. Property Specialists?
CD: Normal day? No such thing! Last week I was stoked to be invited to be auctioneer at the Hong Kong International Sale by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, a career-long dream. I flew straight home from Hong Kong to conduct the successful auction of one of our listings, a set of stables in Gold Coast’s Equine precinct, followed by the Grafton Cup 24 hours later and back on the Gold Coast for another auction on Saturday. We have an incredible team around us and run a ‘virtual’ office from home. There’s no normal day and that's why we love it.
Clint auctioneering at the Hong Kong International Sale
TDN AusNZ: What part of your job would people not know you do?
CD: I swim up a lot of dry gullies. There’s an incredible amount of cold calls and hustling to be done to both initially land listings and more importantly close deals. Oh, and I LOVE Lady Gaga.
TDN AusNZ: What is the most memorable horse and/or property you have sold?
CD: Procuring the job against the rest of the competition to orchestrate the sale of the Spendthrift Australia assets on behalf of the late B. Wayne Hughes and family would be the most memorable property transaction to date. The most memorable horse is more than likely ‘Sunlight’. Not only for the record price she eventually sold for but the full circle romantic story. Having sold her dam to David Redvers, seeing her as a foal at Widden Stud, being sold as a yearling at Magic Millions, to winning the Magic Millions for her connections and eventually closing out the fairytale at the Magic Millions National Sale. I’ll never forget the silence in the auditorium that particular day or the way the auction of her and eventual underbidder fell into line in the dying hours before the sale. Incredible to be a part of.
TDN AusNZ: Will online selling become stronger, what percentage in the future will be live?
CD: Unfortunately, as an auctioneer I have to admit, I don’t personally enjoy seeing the rise of online selling, particularly of premium mares and race fillies. I do understand that the timing and flexibility of an online auction is attractive to owners wishing to offload out of sale season. It’s difficult to imagine online auctions replacing the atmosphere and frenzy of a live auction where people can touch, feel and more importantly, get carried away with their bidding. They have certainly cemented their place in the industry and Australia is leading the rest of the world in this field.
Clint auctioning off multiple Group 1 winner, Sunlight, who fetched $4.2 million at the 2020 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
TDN AusNZ: What advice would you give to an aspiring person wanting to be an auctioneer?
CD: There is a book worth reading called ‘Outliers’. It touches in one part on The Beatles doing over a thousand hours in local pubs and clubs before they made it to the big time. The moral is to say ‘yes’ to every opportunity, no matter how small, to get the hours in. It’s about time in the saddle. My childhood wasn't sport, it was taking bids at machinery and cattle auctions with my father and eventually becoming a 13-year-old rookie auctioneer. I’m lucky that way. The overall key is passion for the transaction, a passion for performing and representing every seller to the best of your ability, be it a multi-million dollar thoroughbred or an item at a charity auction.
TDN AusNZ: Are you still an auctioneer for Magic Millions?
CD: Correct, and love every second of it. I’ve often joked that it’s the most fun you can have with your clothes on. The theatre and atmosphere under that now renovated tin shed in Bundall is a special place. In fact, I’d argue there’s no better selling auditorium. Anywhere. People love coming to the Coast for the sales and as a now very proud resident I take sincere delight in their enjoyment of our backyard. For me, apart from the honest enjoyment, it’s a great meeting place to connect with friends and clients.
TDN AusNZ: How did the Magic Millions and Donovan + Co. relationship come about?
CD: Off the back of a 15-plus year relationship with the company, close friendship and working relationship with Barry Bowditch and in turn, Gerry Harvey and Katie Page Harvey, we together have found a synergy in bringing the world’s most famous equine brand together with our skillset, and ultimately, together, a desire in delivering premium results and maximum exposure for our clients. It’s been a gratifying start and we can’t wait to take it to the next level in the coming years.
Clint and Telena Donovan | Image courtesy of Donovan + Co.
TDN AusNZ: What’s next for Donovan + Co.?
CD: We’ve been fortunate enough to assist in the dispersal of land assets for some amazing properties over the last 18 months, and we will be focusing nationwide on equine assets with some exciting properties and opportunities on the horizon. We have a wonderful team behind us and the relationship we have with Magic Millions allows us to provide an unmatched service to our vendors.
TDN AusNZ: Would you prefer to sell a record property price, top lot or be in the winner's circle?
CD: My wife Telena is currently building the best house in the best street in Burleigh Heads and budget doesn’t seem to be an issue so lock in a record property price please!
TDN AusNZ: If you could be someone else in the industry for a day who would it be, and why?
CD: I’d love to go back in time and spend a day stepping in the shoes of some of the greats like Magnier and Sangster or Joe Walls and Sir Patrick Hogan. Maybe being Angus Gold in the 90s would be fun?
Clint and Telena Donovan after selling a property at auction
TDN AusNZ: What positive change would you like to see in the thoroughbred industry in 2022?
CD: I would love to see the industry grow into one that young people would consider as a great career that otherwise wouldn’t ordinarily have. Staffing is the biggest issue affecting our industry, far and above any other. We are not isolated though, and it’s a real battle. Lindy Maurice’s Thoroughbred Industry Careers Program is sensational and we are heading in a very positive direction, however avenues need to be continuously explored to expose the youth and wider public to the wonderful racing and breeding industries.
