Massive Victorian horse training centre back on the market

Offers for the 120-hectare Macedon Lodge are expected to exceed $30 million, two years after it was snapped up by an Australian pub baron.

Bruce Dixon is selling the 120-hectare Macedon Lodge horse training centre.

A revered horse training property in central Victoria is back on the market, two years after it was snapped up by an Australian pub king.

Bruce Dixon has listed his 120-hectare Macedon Lodge, regarded as Australia’s most successful thoroughbred training facility producing multiple Melbourne Cup and Group One winners.

Mr Dixon acquired the Macedon Lodge in 2022, striking a deal with renowned horse trainer Lloyd Williams and family.

Previously the Williams family had operated Macedon Lodge as their own private training venue, however, Mr Dixon has expanded the holding during his time, opening the door for other horse trainers and increasing the number of horses stabled on the property.

At its increased size and scale now with approval to house 225 horses, offers for Macedon Lodge are expected to exceed $30 million.

Development of Macedon Lodge commenced in 1998 by then owner Kurt Stern. The first of more than 30 Group One winners arrived in 2001 when Ethereal took out the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double.

Ethereal was the first of seven Melbourne Cup winners to have called Macedon Lodge home, while so have other winners Zipping, Fawkner, Efficient and Green Moon.

Macedon Lodge executive chairman Mark Player, internationally recognised for his 30-year career in the thoroughbred industry, said the improved facilities build on the history and excellence the property is renowned for.

Macedon Lodge has approval house horses in 195 boxes, with 120 to be built.

“It is one of the best horse properties in the world,” Mr Player said.

“The enhancements we are delivering will enable us to meet demand from the industry and transition the facility from private to semi-private and create a significant return on investment.

“The property is still producing and delivering Group One winners which is what it’s here to do.

“The biggest change has been gaining the regularity approvals to increase capacity to up to 225 horses and delivering the facilities, barns and stables that comes with that.

“The facilities are world-class. The property maintains several state-of-the-art tracks

including a 1500-metre Uphill Martin Collins Polytrack, a 1000-metre Round Fibresand track, a Deep Sand Bullring, and numerous beautiful trails meandering through the property.

“Horses have access to a straight 80-metre swimming pool, treadmills, a water walker, horse spas, horse solarium, dry walkers, leading vets and blacksmiths, and numerous day yards as well as small, medium and large paddocks.”

Mr Dixon bought Macedon Lodge in 2022 from horse trainer Lloyd Williams and family.

The recent upgrades have increased the number of boxes to 75, with approval to build a further 120 boxes.

Elders Real Estate selling agent Nick Myer said Macedon Lodge, located 8km from the Macedon township, was undoubtedly one of the most recognised and respected training facilities in the world and was likely to attract both local and international interest.

“Macedon Lodge offers a unique opportunity to be a part of Australian racing history,” Mr Myer said.

“Based on the significant level of investment already committed, in addition to the growing industry demand for the facility and projected revenue, we’re expecting to receive interest in excess of $30 million.”

Mr Dixon built his initial fortune running services contractor, the Spotless Group and then running private hospitals group Healthscope.

Earlier this year Mr Dixon’s Australian Venue Co, a business with about 250 pubs, was sold to PAG for $1.4 billion.

Late last year Mr Dixon also purchased a 114-hectare rural retreat at Mitchellstown, on the Goulburn River.

Originally published as Massive Victorian horse training centre back on the market