US billionaire owner B. Wayne Hughes makes his debut at Easter Yearling Sales

Dressed in a striped designer shirt and clutching a catalogue, B. Wayne Hughes looked like every other buyer at the Australian Easter Yearling Sales.

But most wouldn’t have realised the American was arguably the richest man walking around at the historic Randwick site.

According to Forbes, Hughes has an estimated worth of $2.2 billion, courtesy of his self-storage business.

Only Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum and Sheikh Hamdan could have challenged Hughes when it came to bank balances.

Hughes, 80, told The Daily Telegraph he had raced horses for years, had 22 stallions back home in Kentucky, but had never been to Sydney to buy a yearling.

He also admitted to being the latest fan of Team Hawkes, and revealed his three purchases — two Fastnet Rock fillies and a Street Cry colt — would all remain in Australia.

"We bought one yesterday and two today, and we'll be leaving them here with John Hawkes," Hughes said. "He's our kind of guy. He's low key, and he reminds me of (trainer) Richard Mandela, who is our main guy in the US.

"I didn’t know what was going on here. You've got a really good operation, good racing, good people, good horses, you’ve got everything. You guys are much more international than we are, and I didn’t realise (this sale was on).

"Just call it ignorance."

Hughes races Beholder, the American champion filly. He had struck up a friendship with Racing NSW chairman and Arrowfield Stud boss John Messara, and sent him a mare to be served by Redoute’s Choice.

He attended the Rosehill races last Saturday, but will leave Sydney today and miss the opening day of The Championships at Randwick.

Story: Herald SUn

Photo: Brett Costello