Single John Singleton buys his ‘hero’ Erin Molan a $700,000 racehorse weeks after seventh divorce
The ink was barely dry on John Singleton’s seventh divorce when he appeared on Erin Molan’s Sky News show to joke about her “going on” his own divorcee dating series. Two days later, he gifted her co-ownership of a $700K racehorse.
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Larrikin rich-lister and recently divorced millionaire John Singleton has lavished Erin Molan with a share in a $700,000 prize filly he’s named after her.
When asked whether it was an attempt to romantically woo the Sky News presenter, Singleton said he loves Molan’s intellect and sense of humour.
Weeks after announcing his seventh divorce, from 44-year-old Sarah Warry, the 82-year-old matrimony enthusiast has put some horsepower behind his friendship with Molan. The advertising veteran bought one horse at the 2024 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale and has enlisted Kris Lees as her trainer.
Speaking after the sale, Singleton joked: “Erin Molan’s trying to buy a share in it but she’s not offering enough.”
However, he has since confirmed to The Daily Telegraph that he made Molan a part owner of the horse, which he has named Erin. “Erin (the horse) is part owned by Erin (Molan),” Singleton told The Daily Telegraph.
“Jim (Erin’s late great dad) was a hero of mine. Erin is my new hero,” he said.
He wouldn’t divulge what percentage of ownership he’d given to Molan, so that won’t be revealed until the yearling’s ownership group has been officially registered with Racing Australia.
When asked for comment on whether the gesture of buying Molan a horse was an attempt to woo her, Singleton said: “I prefer to race all my horses with friends”.
“It doubles the enjoyment, I love and enjoy Erin’s intellect, talent and sense of humour,” he said.
“She will need it all to deal with the heartbreak of our horse dreams having sad endings. The horse game is not for the faint-hearted – Erin will fit in perfectly”.
The purchase came two days after Singleton appeared on Molan’s Sky News segment and asked her whether she’d like to be in his Divorced At Second Sight television series, starring himself. “I’d have to read the terms and conditions,” Molan responded, while laughing.
“It’s your seventh divorce … do you just not want to date? Do you feel this need to commit?” Molan asked him.
“Well it’s 20 years between the sixth and the seventh,” Singleton said. “I thought I’d retire, but then things occur, and I’d like to think never say never. It’d be nice to share things.”
Two days later, Molan received a text from Singleton asking if she liked the look of a particular horse. “And the next things I know, I’m being sent an ownership form to fill out,” Molan told The Daily Telegraph.
The 40-year-old was reluctant to comment on whether she interpreted the gift as a romantic gesture. “It was definitely a shock. I had no idea he would do that,” Molan said. “He’s a very hard man to say no to, in fact, almost impossible.”
When Singleton’s assistant sent through the form, Molan said: “No, this is too much.”
“She said, ‘Erin, he loves doing this. He doesn’t want anything in return.”
The 2Day FM radio host, who is today hosting the Mercedes-Benz Sydney Women In Business lunch, explained that Singleton was a “great friend” of her late father, and that she first met him 10 years ago at the Scone Races.
“I’ve always had a lot of time for John and dad and I used to go up and see him a fair bit on The Central Coast,” she said. “He’s that spontaneous, really generous, fun guy. I guess I was on his mind because I’d rejected his TV show. This was his next step.”
OTHER RECIPIENTS TO PROFIT FROM SINGO’S ‘EQUINE LARGESSE’
Mr Singleton has a history of gifting horses to his pals.
Singleton said the “last recipient to profit from my equine largesse was Bob Hawke when we won the Golden Slipper and (did a) massive bet of all banked previous winnings which added $1 million cash”.
“Together, that great mare retuned my vet (former MP) Gerry Rose a total of almost $4 million.
“That’s quarter of a century ago. It’s time,” he said.
“My other horses with gift partners are Gerrigong, with Mick Cronin, Bob O’Reilly and Peter Wynn from Parramatta and with Col Murphy, Phil Sigsworth and Barry Wood.
“Fabulist and Killcare Beach Girl, both with Peter Fenton. Diddle Dumpling with my niece, Juliet Wylie. Zsa Zsa with Michelle Leslie my development’s partner. Fortians with school mates, including judge Michael Kirby and Dr Paul Roy.
“Johnny the Kid with my daughter Sally and her family. Mrs Maree is part owned and named for the wife of master trainer Clarry Conners.
“And, most importantly, Snitzel with my long suffering assistant Dianna Crawley (horse not named yet). I also race three on my own.”
“The only real good one in the last couple years is Hawaii Five O with Gerry Harvey. He charged me $1 million for a half share. We finished well in front. He is now at stud.”
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