Equestrian estates J OE L ROB I N S ON
Horse play The lush Southern Highlands of NSW are attracting buyers keen to own facilities for their equestrian pursuits
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he Southern Highlands is increasingly becoming a destination for equestrian devotees. Local agents report that the spurt in construction of private equestrian facilities has been well received by buyers in recent listings. There has been a rise in both private interests and professional outfits. The late Malaysian billionaire Dato Tan Chin Nam was among those who sensed the capacity of the region. His Think Big Stud, a 122ha property on the Wingecarribee River at Bowral, has become recognised internationally as a nursery of champion thoroughbred horses. It was listed in 2019, although it did not sell, through Inglis Rural Property agents Sam Triggs and Jamie Inglis, who sought $20 million. Think Big Stud, once known as Inverness Stud, was used to spell or breed four Melbourne Cup winners. It was originally bought in late 2006 for $3.525 million, with surrounding property purchased with the winnings of horse races. In 2017, Dato Tan Chin Nam leased Think Big Stud to Greg and Jo Griffin of Lime Country Thoroughbreds, who made the move from Hawke’s Bay. The Southern Highlands appetite for equestrian pursuits escalated in 2014 when Malaysian horseracing tycoon Teo Ah Khing snapped up the Sutton Forest trophy estate The Chase. Khing, who established the China Horse Club, paid $5.8 million for the near 135-year-old, 40ha property and spent $4 million on a new stabling and office facility. A number of the club’s thoroughbred horses are now kept at the property. “The Chase is a beautiful location to visit and spend time in,” Michael Wallace, head of the China Horse Club’s Bloodstock and Racing recently said. “There are few places as relaxing. I know our thoroughbreds that spend time down here will enjoy it as well. Being an area of high rainfall, the paddocks will be green for most of the year, so our horses will benefit mentally and physically.” Waratah Thoroughbreds at Moss Vale has been developed over the past 15 years by businessman Paul Fudge. Fudge bought more than 40ha and has created a state-of-the-art facility, adding a horseracing track in 2016 at a cost of $2 million. In 2017 Waratah shifted from running its 20 broodmares and started concentrating on racing and trading in stock. Ray White Bowral agent Michael Maloney says Waratah is possibly the most “exquisite racing complex anywhere”. Belle Property Bowral agent Di Dixon says the likes of Think Big Stud and the China Horse Club have put the Southern Highlands on the map for equestrian lovers. “Certainly these high-profile studs have raised awareness of the benefits of the location, proximity to Sydney and transport logistics, along with the picturesque nature of large thoroughbred racing operations and the cachet that may add to surrounding properties,” Dixon says. It’s become the norm for luxury homeowners in the Southern Highlands to provide amazing homes for horses. Drew Lindsay Bowral
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agent Karl Zabel says that over the past few years, a number of his weekender buyers have stipulated equine facilities as part of their requirements. He says most larger acreages now seem to include some equine facilities, including stables and arenas. “Properties with very serious facilities will attract the specialist buyers,” Zabel says. Michael Maloney says there’s a slow movement of properties changing to equine pursuits from a number of different areas. “We have a large cross section of horse events, from thoroughbred racehorse, be it training, spelling or breeding, to harness racing, polo, eventing, dressage, pony club, cutting, cross country or just leisure riders.” Kintyre House at Bowral headlines the latest offerings. Oracle prestige home builder Robert Matar and wife Jessica added equestrian facilities to the 2ha Bowral trophy property they bought in 2016 for $2.6 million. The facilities include a new American barn, an irrigated paddock for two horses, a dressage arena, shelter, two stables and a tack room. The couple also extensively renovated the three-level homestead as well as the grounds, which feature a heated infinity pool and spa with a cabana and a floodlit tennis court, also with a cabana. In the formal gardens there are stone walls, a pond, a workshop and a custom-built chicken coop. The home has five bedrooms, five bathrooms, a home office, a gym and a games room. Di Jones Southern Highlands Bowral agent Lisa-Marie Cauchois, who says the home has all the mod-cons of a boutique hotel, is asking $6 million. The Colvin family did the same at Linden Farm, their 4.5ha property in Kangaloon. After paying $1.575 million in 2015, they added top-of-the-range equestrian facilities. There’s now a 60 x 36 barn fitted with five Priefert boxes, a round yard, and six fenced paddocks with water. They also extended the homestead, which now has four bedrooms and a garden room. The family is asking $3.25 million through Belle Property Bowral agents Di Dixon and Victoria Lowe.
THE WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN
| FEBRUARY 8-9, 2020
