Inglis thoroughbred empire’s Warwick Farm relocation redevelopment six months ahead of schedule

THE Inglis thor­ough­bred empire’s massive relocation from Randwick to Warwick Farm is six months ahead of schedule.

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FROM go to whoa in 15 months — the Inglis thor­ough­bred empire’s massive relocation from Randwick to Warwick Farm is on track for completion at least six months ahead of schedule.

And it has already brought a new race meeting to The Farm, scheduled for its opening day in early February.

Two Inglis-sponsored $250,000 races have been slotted into the program, which will coincide with the company’s annual Chairman’s Sale, the first to be held at the new premises.

“We are looking to develop that day so that by 2019 it is upscaled significantly,” said Inglis managing director Mark Webster.

“We want to turn it into a multi-million dollar day attracting visitors from interstate and overseas. That’s our goal.”

An aerial of the Inglis development back in February.

What the hotel entry will look like.

He is in talks with Destination NSW to try to launch a NSW answer to Queensland’s Magic Millions.

Businessman Gerry Harvey ran a $10 million event on the Gold Coast with $7 million worth of help from the Queensland government, he said, but the NSW government currently put in “not a single dollar”.

Mr Webster says the Inglis relocation could “definitely reignite” interest in racing generally.

Only old-timers can recall the days 30 or 40 years ago when Warwick Farm regularly drew crowds of 25,000.

Inglis is encouraging the Australian Turf Club to spend money refurbishing Warwick Farm’s old grandstands.

Jonathan D-Arcy, Mark Webster and Arthur Inglis. Picture: Ian Svegovic

What the hotel actually looks like under construction. Picture: Ian Svegovic

For its part, the ATC said it’s planning the long-term future of Warwick Farm as a racing centre with a full course proper rebuild being considered — and that it may also take the opportunity to look at refreshing some of the spectator facilities.

“The ATC sees Warwick Farm as an important racing and training asset for Sydney,’’ said ATC chief executive Darren Pearce.

“We have worked closely with Inglis and it is very exciting to see the Riverside Stables development rising from the ground.’’

Many people outside racing may not realise it but Warwick Farm is already the training capital of Sydney.

It has more trainers and horses in work — around 800 — than Randwick or Rosehill.

The world’s biggest racing operation Godolphin uses Warwick Farm as one of its main Sydney bases and Gary Portelli is another long-term Farm trainer who trained this year’s Golden Slipper winner She Will Reign.

Warwick Farm racecourse manager Mark Jones with Australian Turf Club’s racecourse management general manager Lindsay Murphy. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

An artist’s impression of the pre-parade area adjoining the sales arena.

The Inglis racing vision is to make Warwick Farm a magnet for the world’s best owners, trainers, breeders and buyers.

Key attractions for the company included the site’s size and its location close to major roads, public transport and the planned airport at Badgerys Creek.

Mr Webster said the new precinct would position Inglis to serve the Australasian thoroughbred industry for the next 100 years.

YEAR-ROUND ENTERTAINMENT PRECINCT

THE $140 million Inglis development at Warwick Farm is about much more than horse racing. It will also turn the course into a year-round entertainment precinct, delivering a significant economic boost to Liverpool and south west Sydney.

The move from Randwick to The Farm signals a visionary expansion for the century-old thoroughbred sales company.

But four-legged stars of the turf are only part of the new equation. Thoroughbred sale days account for only nine days of the year, whereas Inglis sees a 365-days-a-year future.

Work is ahead of schedule. Picture: Ian Svegovic

What the garden stables will look like.

The new-look Inglis plans to host weddings and bar mitzvahs, Mother’s and Father’s Day functions, cultural festivals and musical performances, conferences, trade shows and seminars. Further down the track, it even envisions installing lights for Friday night racing.

“It’s a totally different approach. Instead of being open to the public 10 per cent of the year we hope to be open 100 per cent. We really want the public to engage with the venue,” Inglis managing director Mark Webster said.

“It will be great driver of economic activity. We won’t be able to accommodate everyone so we are working with other hotels in the area, including the Holiday Inn across the road and the Mercure at the Liverpool Catholic Club, to share that around.

“We want to see more locals using the racecourse as a form of entertainment.”

Some speculate the new hospitality and entertainment side of the business could even generate more revenue than the traditional thoroughbred sales.

TRACK FACTS

■ $140 million project to deliver new saleyard, stables, four and a half star hotel and entertainment precinct

■ Eight storey, 144-room hotel with rooftop pool and bar, conference centre, office space and function rooms, gym, wellness centre, cafes and restaurants

■ Eight stables with capacity for 820 horses

■ Project creates 300 construction jobs plus ongoing jobs in the hospitality, entertainment, finance, marketing, management, bloodstock and digital industries

■ Opening in February, six months ahead of schedule