William Inglis gets green light to start building new sales complex at Warwick Farm
SYDNEY’S iconic Easter Yearling Sales will be held at Newmarket for the last time next year after final approval was granted for William Inglis to build a new $100m equine complex at Warwick Farm.
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SYDNEY’S iconic Easter Yearling Sales will be held at Newmarket for the last time next year after final approval was granted for William Inglis to construct a new, state-of-the-art $100 million equine complex at Warwick Farm.
The NSW Joint Regional Planning Panel has given Inglis the green light to relocate its thoroughbred auctioneering empire from Newmarket (near Randwick) to Warwick Farm from 2018, completing one of the biggest sporting transfers in the state’s history.
“Warwick Farm is the ideal location to accommodate the world’s best horse owners, trainers, breeders and buyers,” said Ned Mannoun, Liverpool’s mayor who is standing for the seat of Werriwa in the Federal Election on July 2.
“We welcome Inglis to the Liverpool area and the jobs and opportunities they bring. The new 100,000sq metre headquarters will inject more than $100 million into the local economy and create jobs in finance, insurance, marketing, management, bloodstock and digital.
“Liverpool is now a major regional hub with two universities already here and an airport being built at Badgerys Creek.”
More than 100 jobs will be generated during construction and between 50-60 will go full-time when the project is complete. A similar number of casual jobs will also be offered.
The precinct will house a multipurpose selling arena, parade ring and 12 open-sided horse stabling buildings which will accommodate nearly 900 horse stalls. There will also be a hotel on site with 145 rooms, as well as a dining area and associated basement parking, purpose-built truck bay, storage and a maintenance precinct.
The Inglis Easter Yearling Sales is the most prestigious in the southern hemisphere and last April 437 yearlings were sold for a total of $106 million.
There were 50 yearlings which sold for $500,000 or more including the sale-topper, the Snitzel-Vegas Showgirl colt which is a full-brother to champion mare Winx and was knocked down to Gai Waterhouse for $2.3 million. Another eight yearlings sold for $1 million or more.
Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster said recently one of the key drivers in the plan to relocate to Warwick Farm was the site’s size and capacity, and its strategic location close to major roads, public transport and Sydney’s new international airport.
Webster explained the site which is adjacent to Warwick Farm racecourse will enable Inglis to build the world’s best equine sales complex.
Trainer suspended over cobalt reading
RACING NSW stewards have disqualified trainer Wayne Lawson for 12 months after his galloper Stella’s Chance returned a high level of cobalt following its maiden win at Grafton this year.
Lawson was issued a penalty on Thursday and has become the fourth NSW trainer to be disqualified for cobalt offences.
Darren Smith (16 years) and Sam Kavanagh (nine years) received lengthy bans for multiple cobalt charges, while Kevin Moses incurred a year-long ban.
Trainer Steve Farley’s appeal against his 12-month ban for a similar offence will be heard on Friday, while the inquiry into the Paul Murray case will continue on a date to be fixed.
No stopping Gentleman Max
IS there a tougher racehorse in training than Wagga Wagga three-year-old Gentleman Max? At Albury on Thursday, Gentleman Max scored his fourth career win from 25 starts in his debut race preparation.
Trainer Trevor Sutherland has had Gentleman Max racing and in form all season after the gelding made his race debut last August. The gelding has had at least two starts in each month since, recording 10 minor placings to go with his four wins for nearly $70,000 prizemoney.
French flair
ALMANDIN, the lightly-raced former French stayer by Monsun, the same sire as Melbourne Cup winners Fiorente (2013) and Protectionist (2014), finally makes his Australian debut for owner Lloyd Williams at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
A veteran of only six starts, Almandin hasn’t raced for two years but at his last run he defeated Protectionist in a Group 2 race at Baden Baden in Germany.
Waikiki beached
OUR Waikiki Beach, harness racing’s version of Black Caviar, may have to wait for his opportunity to stretch his unbeaten record to 20 wins for another week at least after trainer Mark Purdon mistakenly missed the nomination deadline for the Alabar Breeders Challenge Series at Tabcorp Park Menangle tomorrow night.
A late nomination was accepted but under the rules Our Waikiki Beach went to the bottom of the 26 pacers nominated for the semis.
This means Our Waikiki Beach has been made second emergency for both semi-finals and is relying on two scratchings.
‘Look out, she is ready to go’: Punters plunge on Waller mares
Chris Waller’s outstanding mares Via Sistina and Joliestar have been sensationally backed to make winning comebacks at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
‘Keep Cummings at Leilani Lodge’: Ed’s plea as Anthony fights for career
Ed Cummings has called on racing officials to allow him to take control of Leilani Lodge if his father Anthony is unsuccessful in having his trainer’s licence reinstated on appeal.