The price paid by Racing NSW for Crown Lodge, the equine estate at Warwick Farm, has emerged as $27,903,000.
It is arguably the best thoroughbred training complex in the country given the volume of stable boxes and accommodation in one line, adjacent to a major training facility.
It was bought from Godolphin, the global racing company founded by the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
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Crown Lodge racing stables at Warwick Farm. Picture: Brett Faulkner
Apparently the price includes GST on the non-residential component of the 1.7ha equine holding, hence the odd figure.
It was listed late last year through Donovan & Co, in partnership with Magic Millions, after Godolphin’s decision to transfer its racehorses to public trainers.
Godolphin had purchased the 123-box facility in 2008 from the Ingham family, who’d built it in the mid-1980s as part of their racing empire.
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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Picture: Fayez Nureldine/AFP
Crown Lodge initially housed trainer Vic Thompson and then John Hawkes, whose champions included Octagonal and Lonhro. Peter Snowden, John O’Shea and James Cummings were the Godolphin trainers.
Godolphin fielded offers from property developers for the site, but opted to sell to Racing NSW.
The precinct had long been considered for industrial rezoning.
Trainer Ciaron Maher is now leasing the facility, shifting from Leilani Lodge at Randwick and the Racing NSW-owned Bong Bong Farm.
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