Walter Haefner
Walter Haefner | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 13, 1910 Switzerland |
| Died | June 19, 2012 (aged 101) |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, racehorse owner and breeder, art collector, philanthropist |
| Known for | Founder of Automation Center A.G., largest individual shareholder of Computer Associates International, owner of Moyglare Stud Farm |
Walter Haefner (born 13 September 1910, passed away 19 June 2012) was a Swiss entrepreneur renowned for his involvement in thoroughbred horse breeding and ownership in Ireland.
Haefner’s professional journey commenced in the automotive sector with General Motors Switzerland. Subsequently, he secured an automobile franchise in England before returning to Switzerland where he established a Volkswagen dealership. Foreseeing the significance of computing technology for commerce, he became one of Switzerland’s pioneers in importing an IBM system in 1957. This initiative culminated in the establishment of Automation Center A.G., a computer services firm based in Zürich, founded in 1964.
In 1976, Haefner ventured into the American market by merging his company with Computer Associates International, Inc. (CA Technologies), a publicly traded software enterprise led by Russell Artzt and Charles Wang. He remained the largest individual shareholder of this corporation until his passing. Alongside this, he maintained ownership of AMAG Automobil- und Motoren, a prominent Swiss network of automobile dealerships. At the age of 101, he held the distinction of being the world’s oldest billionaire.
Haefner’s engagement with horse racing introduced him to art dealer Daniel Wildenstein, prompting him to begin collecting art during the mid-1960s.
Moyglare Stud Farm
In 1962, Haefner acquired Moyglare Stud Farm, a 440-acre estate located near Maynooth in County Kildare, Ireland. The stud’s thoroughbred horses have achieved victories in numerous Group One and British Classic Races spanning Europe, North America, Japan, Australia, and Hong Kong.
The stable’s operations in the United States are directed by trainer Christophe Clement, while Dermot K. Weld manages European training activities. Notably, in 1991, Weld became the first trainer based in Europe to secure a win at Hong Kong when Moyglare’s colt Additional Risk triumphed in the Hong Kong Invitational Bowl.
In recognition of Haefner’s significant impact on Irish horse racing, the Curragh Racecourse named a Group I event—the Moyglare Stud Stakes—after him. Additionally, Trinity College Dublin honored him with an honorary doctorate in 1988 for his contributions to Ireland’s bloodstock sector and education.
Prominent winners from Moyglare Stud include:
- Additional Risk – Hong Kong Bowl
- Assert – Prix du Jockey Club, Irish Derby Stakes
- Bikala – Prix du Jockey Club, Prix Ganay
- Dance Design – Irish Oaks, Pretty Polly Stakes (twice), Tattersalls Gold Cup
- Go And Go – Belmont Stakes
- Media Puzzle – Melbourne Cup
- Refuse To Bend – 2,000 Guineas, National Stakes, Eclipse Stakes
- Twilight Agenda – Meadowlands Cup, San Pasqual Handicap; amassed earnings exceeding US$2.1 million
Currently owned by Haefner’s daughter Eva Maria Bucher-Haefner, Moyglare Stud remains under family stewardship. As reported by Forbes in 2015, she holds an estimated net worth of US$2.4 billion and resides with her family in Zurich.