Sad Passing of Kia Ora Stud Owner

Tara Madgwick - Friday November 29

Malaysian-born billionaire Ananda Krishnan, the owner of Kia Ora Stud and co-owner of Vinery Stud, died on Thursday at the age of 86.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the demise of our chairman, Ananda Krishnan Tatparanandam, who passed away peacefully on 28 November 2024,” it said in a statement issued by his firm, Usaha Tegas.

“The family has requested privacy to mourn his passing. Ananda made significant contributions to nation-building and the corporate world. His philanthropic initiatives have touched many lives.”

In Australia his presence in the racing and breeding worlds has been a constant over the past 20 years.

Golden Slipper winner Farnan is one of the foundation sires at Kia Ora.

Krishnan purchased elite Hunter Valley nursery Kia Ora in 2000 and commenced standing stallions at the farm in 2021 with foundation sires Farnan and Prague now joined by a third stallion Captivant.

Advertisement

Krishnan, who was ranked as Malaysia’s sixth-richest person by the Forbes 2024 Billionaires List with a net worth of US$5.1 billion (approx. AU$7.85 billion), was a keen investor in imported broodmares and particularly those from the US achieving notable success for producing horses such as Group I winners Loving Gaby, Wild Ruler and Wellington.

Kia Ora also bred and sold stakes-winning Fastnet Rock mare Miss Debutante, the dam of Golden Slipper winner Lady of Camelot and Group winners Platinum Jubilee and Queen of the Ball making her one of the most valuable brood mares in the country.

Exciting Snitzel colt Prost is a Group winner at two and three - image Steve Hart

Kia Ora share in the ownership of a number of high profile colts still racing including Prost, who closed out his spring winning the $1million Group II ATC Callender Presnell.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Juddmonte Bred Orchid Bouquet Sells For Record 550,000 Guineas at Tattersalls July Day 2
rade soared on the second day of the Tattersalls July Sale with a new record price of 550,000 guineas for Juddmonte’s ORCHID BOUQUET and four lots realising 300,000 guineas or more. The median and average were up 67% and 60% respectively from the equivalent day in 2024 and the clearance rate was an impressive 91%.
Carrazzo Melbourne Sport of Kings Tax Talk
It gives Baumgartners great pleasure to announce that Paul Carrazzo’s “Sport of Kings” horse tax talk returns to Inglis Melbourne on Wednesday 13 August.
Debut Win for Expensive Capitalist 2YO
An $800,000 Magic Millions purchase from Attunga Stud for the James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership, Capitalist colt Caesar was the highest priced yearling by his sire sold in 2024 and made a winning debut at Gosford on Thursday.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday July 9
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Pencarrow takes top billing in National Online Breeding Stock Sale
Pencarrow Stud’s select offering of four broodmares proved to be the star attraction in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus on Wednesday, earning the two highest prices of the sale.
Day 1 Tattersalls July - Humam Top Seller 190,000 guineas
The opening day of the Tattersalls July Sale saw solid trade headed by the Kingsclere Training Stables consigned HUMAM at 190,000 guineas, one of six lots to realise over 100,000 guineas. A typically international buying bench saw purchasers from France, Libya, Qatar and the UAE as well as Great Britain and Ireland represented in the day’s top ten lots.
Two powerful additions announced for Equate 2025
The countdown to Equate '25 just got even more exciting. Australasia's number one innovation event for the thoroughbred industry has announced two brand-new sessions that bring together transparency, technology, and tangible takeaways for all attendees.
Justify Strikes at Newmarket with New G3 Winner
The Group III Bahrain Trophy Stakes ((1m5f) at Newmarket overnight produced a runaway winner in Scandinavia and while his sire Justify no longer shuttles to Australia, two of his sons will be on the roster at Coolmore this spring in City of Troy (IRE) and Storm Boy.
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 10
Here is the full list of 31 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.