Star jockey and his family selling one-of-a-kind horse-friendly home

A professional horse racer is looking to sell his custom-built Brisbane home on a sprawling 6900sq m block that has one incredible feature buyers won’t find this close to the city.

Professional jockey James ‘Jimmy’ Orman and his wife Heidi Whalley are selling their Nudgee home: the only home so close to the city to have a private horse arena right out the back.

Star jockey Jimmy Orman, his wife Heidi Whalley and their kids, Hallie and Floyd. The family is looking to sell their Nudgee home and build a bigger one, with all the perks of the original. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

The couple went over the plans for the one-storey home as it was being made, creating a home that would help them raise a family while being close to the equestrian industry.

“It was something different that suited our family,” Ms Whalley said.

“It’s just a centrally located neighbourhood,” Orman added. “It’s a beautiful place to live, a lot of young families in the area, [and] to have an acre this close to the CBD is unheard of.”

The home at 129 Spoonbill Street has 6909 sqm of property, four bedrooms and four bathrooms, with a tropical facade and indoor facilities like mud and powder rooms.

The family found it essential to include the horse arena wherever they lived. With five stables and three paddocks with shelters, it represented a chance for them to keep close to their passion while giving that same opportunity to their kids.

“We both grew up with horses,” Ms Whalley said.

The custom acreage home at 129 Spoonbill St, Nudgee, is accepting best offers until October 25.

The family are looking to upgrade and build a new home nearby, adding another floor while keeping key elements of the design like the horse arena.

“This [home] is pretty well how we want it, but we probably want to do a double story to separate us,” Orman said.

Place Nundah agent Chris May, who is selling the home, said possible interest rate cuts over the next year would make now a good time for the couple to sell, with more people looking to buy while they’re able to invest more.

“I think if people can borrow more, that’s going to bring activity into the space,” he said. “People have probably held off a little bit at the six and a half per cent interest rate, because essentially their money isn’t going as it isn’t going as far.”

The family treasure the opportunities they’ve had with the unique property, and will only sell it for a price they feel is worth it. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Offers are being accepted for the home until October 25, but the family said they won’t sell unless they feel it’s the right financial decision.

“We’re selling so we can have a small loan, or don’t have a loan [at all],” Orman said. “We’re only going to sell it if it meets what we think it’s worth.”

Originally published as Star jockey and his family selling one-of-a-kind horse-friendly home