Cover image courtesy of BradfieldCleary
Real Estate agent and respected thoroughbred industry figure Bob Guth of BradfieldCleary will oversee the sale of 166 Doncaster Avenue, Kensington, which features eight onsite boxes, a three-bedroom house and studio, with an anticipated price in the range of $4 million.
Lindsay Park General Manager Sophie Steel confirmed the sale of the Randwick property to TDN AusNZ, in what is a strategic change of direction, with Lindsay Park, which is set to feature Ben and JD Hayes as co-trainers in the new racing season, set to utilise boxes at Warwick Farm when needed.
"The reason we have decided to sell the property at Randwick is strategic, for our business it didn’t make sense to have so much equity tied up in an under-utilised asset," Steel said.
"We will definitely still have a presence in Sydney. We are planning to utilise Warwick Farm, which being based out of Euroa is a much better location for the horses travelling from our home base."
The Kensington property was purchased by Colin Hayes in June 1989, before transferring ownership to David and Prue Hayes in the 1990s.
The Randwick stable has been the base for Lindsay Park to prepare 45 stakes winners in Sydney, including 13 Group 1 successes as well as 12 Group 2 wins, eight Group 3 wins and a further 12 victories at Listed level.
"We have had great success out of our Randwick location, including 13 Group 1 winners with horses such as Miss Finland, Tawqeet, Criterion, Nicconi, Jeune, Planet Ruler… the list goes on," she said.
Champion filly Miss Finland (Redoute's Choice) won two Group 1 races from the Randwick base, claiming the 2006 G1 Golden Slipper and then the 2007 Arrowfield Stud S. Tawqeet (USA) (Kingmambo {USA}) was prepared from there to win the 2006 G1 Metropolitan H., while Criterion (NZ) was the last elite-winner from the Randwick stable, winning the 2015 G1 Queen Elizabeth S. for David Hayes and Tom Dabernig.
The Lindsay Park operation has undergone a significant generational change in the past 12 months, with David Hayes returning to Hong Kong to train.
Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes have been co-trainers this racing season and won the G1 VRC Oaks with Personal (Fastnet Rock) last year, but Dabernig will depart at the end of the season, with Ben's brother JD to join as co-trainer.
Steel, David and Prue's daughter, has assumed the role of General Manager, while their other son, Will, spends time working with the business in between his football commitments with AFL side, Western Bulldogs.
While the signs won't go up on the Kensington property until later this week, Steel said the interest had already been very strong.
"So far, we have had excellent interest. We were amazed by the number of real estate agents ringing us wanting to sell it, however we have entrusted long-time client and friend Bob Guth, the best in the business," she said.
Guth, who is working with BradfieldCleary Double Bay colleague combined with William Tsagaris to sell the property, said it was a rare opportunity.
"Stables at Randwick are in very short supply and privately owned ones are in even shorter supply. This is a most rare opportunity in my view," Guth said.
"Stables at Randwick are in very short supply and privately owned ones are in even shorter supply. This is a most rare opportunity in my view." - Bob Guth
"It’s a comfortable art deco, three bedroom home and there is a separate self-contained studio that would be perfect for a work rider or a stablehand. Then there is eight gorgeous boxes, really spacious and light and airy boxes.
"The back opens up onto the track, so it’s a great opportunity for a horse trainer, or it may be someone that might have an enthusiasm for horses."
With the Australian property market in similar rude health to the thoroughbred market, expectations are strong from the experienced agent.
"We’re optimistic that there will be good interest in the property as the property market in the Eastern Suburbs remains strong," he said.
