News

Inglis to Sell Lindsay Park Horse Training Complex

21st Aug 2009

With vision for the future, David Hayes announced today, that he will sell part of his famous “Lindsay Park”, a world-renowned horse training facility based at Angaston, in the Barossa Valley, South Australia.

In a bold move more than 40 years ago, with an aim to train horses in a country environment, the legendary late Colin Hayes AM, O.B.E masterminded the development of Lindsay Park into a world-class thoroughbred horse training facility. An operation that is on par with the best worldwide today, and one that has become the “blueprint” for many thoroughbred training establishments.

David’s decision to sell the famed facility follows his father’s philosophy “the future belongs to those who plan for it.” David has been planning this move for the past 5 years since his return from training in Hong Kong. The key to his future and indeed that of his family is centralization. David spends most of his time in Melbourne with his wife and four children. “The succession plan for my family’s future is well thought out. I want to downsize horse numbers and land holdings, centralize my training operation and enhance quality control”. Hayes said.

Thus comes into play the plan for his property at Euroa, north of Melbourne. “The sale of Lindsay Park will allow me the opportunity to develop the Euroa property and restructure my organisation” he added. “With the majority of my clientele being Melbourne and Sydney based, Euroa is the ideal “half way house” and I plan to build a state-of-the-art facility for 100 racehorses in full time work, and target both Melbourne and Sydney racing” Hayes said.

However, Hayes is keen to add “I will not be turning my back on South Australian racing. It is important for me to always have a racing presence in Adelaide. Especially as I feel Adelaide has the best programming of races to bring horses through their grades, and racing in Adelaide is on the way back up”.

“In that respect, I will not be selling the central part of Lindsay Park where the homestead is based. This part of the property is ideal for breaking and educating young horses. The magnificent hills and quality soil housing huge red gums, provides a fantastic spelling environment for my horses and I believe the land here to be one of the best spelling grids in Australia” Hayes quoted.

Lindsay Park and it’s magnificent facilities is part of Australia’s racing history. Champions such as Better Loosen Up, Zabeel, Dulcify, Jeune, At Talaq, So Called, How Now, Desirable, Special, Rory’s Jester, St Covet, Fields of Omagh, Tawqeet, Miss Finland and Niconero have emerged from the Lindsay Park training tracks, stamping it as one of the most successful training operations in the nation.

It boasts producing winners of three Melbourne Cups, three Caulfield Cups, six Cox Plates, two Golden Slippers, 10 Blue Diamonds, a host of Hong Kong winners and the only Australian horse, Better Loosen Up, to win a Japan Cup. Add to that nearly 10,000 winners, 168 Group 1 winners and a combined 71 Metropolitan Trainer Premiership wins and you have a facility of distinction and world recognition.

The training and racing complex expands 93.5 hectares, houses 120 stables, includes electronically timed grass and artificial tracks, heated equine swimming pool, galloping treadmills, blacksmith work shop, staff accommodation and canteen. “It is hard to know what the property is worth but if you were to build it from scratch on today’s market you would probably have to spend at least $12 million” commented Hayes. “It is an enormous opportunity for someone, as our agents William Inglis & Son in conjunction with CB Richard Ellis will seek expressions of interest and with the current financial climate, around $6 – 7 million could be a realistic figure for the sale”.

“Of course it is a heart-felt decision to sell Lindsay Park but my father would have understood, he was a visionary man, and I have the blessing of my family and approval from my Board of Management. I know centralizing my operation between Euroa and Flemington will make it easier for the next generation of Hayes horse trainers”.

Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster commented, “It is a great privilege to be selected by David to offer this wonderful property for sale. Jamie Inglis and I visited Lindsay Park earlier this week and can assure prospective buyers that this is a truly unique property, with a natural beauty to compliment the first class thoroughbred training facilities. Surrounded by the world renowned Barossa Valley vineyards and bordering the Gawler River, Lindsay Park is less than 90 minutes from Adelaide and 7 hours from Melbourne, close enough for the Hayes family to dominate racing in Victoria for decades. This is a rare opportunity for local and international investors with a passion for thoroughbreds.”

Inglis and CB Richard Ellis have been appointed as joint agents to sell Lindsay Park. Expressions of Interest will close on Cox Plate Day, 24th October 2009.

To enquire about this property please call Jamie Inglis +61 412 064 442, visit www.inglis.com.au or simply CLICK HERE to view the online advertisement.