Racing NSW will complete the purchase of the Crown Lodge for more than $25 million from Godolphin and keep the famous Warwick Farm stabling complex in racing hands.
The 120 more boxes at Crown Lodge have been empty since Godolphin’s successful move away from private trainer, James Cummings, to a wider training base last August.
There are no contracts in place as both parties complete their processes.
The stables had a fire compliance issue with the council, which has held up the sale, but Godolphin and Racing NSW have agreed on how to resolve the problem so the sale can be completed.
“With sections of the site ageing, there are some building compliance issues that we are currently rectifying and working through with various consultants, during the phase that it is empty of horses,” Godolphin managing director Andy Makiv said. “There are no particular issues, which will get in the way of a sale or continued use and occupation of the site.”
Makiv said it had always been hoped that the stables would be retained within the racing industry. The Agnes Bank training property in the Hawkesbury will remain owned by Godolphin.
“It is a wonderful training facility, and our expectation is to see racehorses trained out of the facility, in the short term,” he said.
The Crown Lodge bundle of properties around the Warwick Farm is unmatched in Australian racing, including more than 10 residential properties as well as the stables.
Metropolitan boxes are at a premium in Sydney and the Australian Turf Club holds a long waiting list of trainers wanting to train at their track. Crown Lodge will give trainers the ability to stable off-course with quick access to Warwick Farm.
Ciaron Maher is favoured to take the majority of the Crown Lodge boxes, but there is a chance that they will be split between a number of other trainers.
