Australian Turf Club to meet trainers and members on Rosehill sale plan

It is estimated the sale of Rosehill could generate between $5-$7 billion — but the proposal has been met with plenty of opposition.

Aerial view of Rosehill Racecourse in 2017.

The Australian Turf Club is preparing a “promotional blitz” this week to convince racing industry participants and club members to support proposals to sell Rosehill Gardens racecourse.

The State Government and ATC reached a historic agreement late last year to transform Rosehill into a 25,000-home community with a new school and Metro Station.

It is estimated the sale of Rosehill could generate between $5-$7 billion which the racing industry plans to fund the building of a new world-class racetrack in Sydney, the development of Horsley Park into a state-of-art training centre, upgrade facilities at Canterbury and Warwick Farm and still have hundreds of millions of dollar in the bank.

But there is disquiet among some industry participants, particularly those based at Rosehill, who want more information about the potential disruption and relocation of their businesses.

ATC officials are planning a series of forums for trainers and club members to provide more clarity and information about plans to sell Rosehill racecourse.

READ | Rosehill sale: Where could a new track be built?

Trainer Richard Freedman is uniquely placed to comment on the ATC proposals.

Freedman has had stables at the track for a number of years and these days operates a successful training partnership with his son, Will.

Trainer Richard Freedman.

But Freedman once held a senior executive position at the then-Australian Jockey Club and can understand why the Rosehill sale has the support of the Australian Turf Club board and management.

“I get why the club wants this to happen,’’ Freedman said.

“If the numbers add up, it is a very attractive deal.’’

READ | Rosehill trainers supportive – but guarded – of plan to sell

But Freedman said Rosehill trainers and their staff need to be assured they are moving to superior facilities if the racetrack is sold.

“Basically, we are uprooting our lives and our business for the sake of the industry,’’ Freedman said.

“So, it is only few people doing all the heavy lifting.

“Where we are going must be better than what we have got now and it needs to be in the right location.’’

READ | ‘The saddest decision’: Gai Waterhouse slams call to sell off Rosehill

Racing NSW and ATC plan to use money raised from the sale of Rosehill to fund various infrastructure projects and upgrades including the development of a new world-class racecourse in the Sydney area.

Freedman said it was imperative the new racecourse had its own water supply and the parcel of land “needs to be at least 200 acres.’’

“We don’t need another small racetrack,’’ Freedman said.

“I’m not sure if the land is available in Sydney for a new track. I think the Central Coast would be the ideal site.

“There is a huge amount at stake here because there will be enough money to create another racecourse, a training centre, and a lot of things we need to happen in NSW.

“If there is one area of NSW racing that needs attention it is training facilities.’’

Originally published as Australian Turf Club to meet trainers and members on Rosehill sale plan