Rheinwood Pastoral Co.

Despite a challenging few years for the NSW thoroughbred industry, caused by the outbreak of Equine Influenza (EI) in Sydney in 2007 and the global financial crisis, Ray Willis, owner of the Rheinwood Pastoral Company, a thoroughbred stud in Mittagong, says the local industry is bucking the trend and experiencing growth.

“We have seen several major operations move to the Highlands over the past four years and with them, an increased world-wide focus on the district as a strong alternative to the established Hunter Valley environs. The local breeders have been steadily building up the commercial quality of their infrastructure and horses, and this is now being rewarded with success on the racetrack. Where the Highland studs were once seen as boutique operations occasionally producing an outstanding individual, we are now taken seriously by the industry as a whole,” said Ray.

Joining the local ranks are major names, Think Big Stud and Waratah Stud, both developing international standard commercial operations in Bowral. Think Big Stud is owned by renowned Malaysian businessman and passionate racing enthusiast, Dato Tan Chin Nam who purchased the original 100 acre Bowral property – formerly Inverness Stud – in 2007. Recently, he has added a further 100 acres and under the guidance of his racing manager Duncan Ramage, has added significantly to the infrastructure. “In the relatively short time we have been based in the Highlands, we have enjoyed outstanding success with the horses that have come off the property. They include the two times Cox Plate winner So You Think, Melbourne Cup winner, Viewed and Oaks winner, Faint Perfume. The climate and the excellent, all-year-round quality of the pasture make a great combination for raising thoroughbred athletes,” said Duncan.

The cold Highland winters were once seen as a problem for breeders causing the young stock to take longer to mature, but opinion has turned. Sue Everett from Meredith Park in Berrima, who has been spelling and pre-training in the district for six years (with two Golden Slipper entrants coming off her property this year), and Duncan Ramage, both report that the finest breeding grounds in the world like Ireland, the United Kingdom and Kentucky all experience bitter winters. They say, as do others, it is simply not an issue with the right feeding  program.

Other commercial racing interests to move into the district include John Muir’s Milburn Creek Thoroughbreds which is shifting from North Richmond to Wildes Meadow and leading Sydney trainer, Guy Walters who has established a complex in Goulburn.

Initially driven by the outbreak of equine influenza, Guy was able to establish  a pre-training stable at Goulburn for the horses that were unable to be brought back to his Warwick Farm stables. “Originally it was a temporary measure, but my wife Wendy and I were so impressed by what Goulburn had to offer we decided to purchase a property and establish a full time pre-training centre. Being able to prepare young horses on grass tracks is an enormous advantage and having the space is fantastic. Yet it’s still so close to Sydney,” While he retains his racing stables in the Warwick Farm precinct, he doesn’t rule out an eventual fulltime move to Goulburn.

John Muir has lived in the Highlands since 2000 but the process of moving his stud from North Richmond to his Wildes Meadow property has been a long one. “It has always been my dream to be here full-time. Our initial holding was 120 acres but we have now extended it to nearly 200 acres. The plans for the stables are finalised and the stud will be operational soon. We are thrilled to be a part of the growing Southern Highland thoroughbred industry.” Passionate about the district as a whole, John points out the thoroughbred industry is the perfect environmental fit for the Highlands. “The industry brings low-impact development into country areas and is a great employer of staff with rural-based skills.”

John says the studs who have been here for many years, like the Durney family at Werai Park, Richard Turnley from Boscabel (now retired),  Peta and Alan Tilden from Manx Park and Ray and Marilyn Willis from Rheinwood Pastoral Company, have paved the way for the newer entrants. “They’ve plugged away at refining their stock and building up their properties – all the time promoting the area as a great destination for thoroughbred breeders.”

Potentially adding further value is the Australian Turf Club’s multi-million dollar redevelopment plan for Warwick Farm Racecourse and its surrounds – only 45 minutes away – in 2012. Capitalising on the revitalisation is the move of the iconic Inglis Bloodstock saleyards from Newmarket in Randwick – where they have been located for more than 100 years – to the new Warwick Farm precinct in 2013.

Deputy Chairman of Inglis’s, Arthur Inglis (who lives in the Highlands) is excited about the move. “We have a rich family history in Newmarket, but space and safety for our customers, both equine and human, is now becoming a real issue. Our new premises at Warwick Farm will afford us two and a half times more space than we currently have. While our Newmarket home is steeped in Australian racing history, we’re looking forward to creating a world-class venue at Warwick Farm. Naturally, the closer proximity of all this new racing-related infrastructure can only benefit the thoroughbred studs operating in the  Southern Highlands,” he says.

Featured in Sept/Oct 'Highlife' Magazine.

By Joanne Crowley