Sir Patrick Hogan has confirmed the sale of his famous Cambridge Stud.

New Zealand’s iconic thoroughbred nursery will remain in local hands after being sold to Auckland couple Brendan and Jo Lindsay.

The stud was home to Sir Tristram and his son Zabeel who sired eight Melbourne Cups between them.

In what is a massive endorsement of the New Zealand thoroughbred industry by the Lindsays, Sir Patrick today said: “It is no secret that there has been huge international interest in Cambridge Stud for some time now. Many different parties have made approaches to us, however Justine and I were determined to wait for both the right time and the right people – that was non-negotiable for us.

“That right time has now come and the right people have arrived. A new chapter begins for Cambridge Stud and is one that we firmly believe was worth waiting for. Cambridge Stud has been our lives for over four decades. We have nurtured it, been its guardians and have proudly seen it evolve into the globally respected operation it is today.

“As we pass the ownership baton on, we know that Cambridge Stud could not be in better hands. Everyone knows that Brendan and Jo Lindsay are deeply passionate about both our industry and our country, and Cambridge Stud certainly holds a unique place in both.

“For Justine and me, this is a dream come true – we can look ahead with great confidence to the future that Cambridge Stud is assured through its new ownership.

“In answer to the undoubted question of my retirement – the answer is a firm NO, that is not on my agenda. We will have our 2018 Karaka draft, the final one under our auspices, to prepare. After that I have plenty of racing and breeding interests to keep me firmly involved in the industry – an industry I will be fully immersed in until the day I die.”

Brendan and Jo Lindsay will assume control of Cambridge Stud in April 2018.