Ruler of Dubai sells Twin Hills horse stud in NSW
The ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, has sold his prestige Twin Hills racehorse stud near Cootamundra, in the NSW Riverina, for a price believed to be about $12 million.
Racing enthusiasts Olly and Amber Tait bought the 1011-hectare property, which the Sheikh’s thoroughbred breeding and horseracing empire Godolphin picked up in 2008 as part of a $500 million deal to buy the Ingham poultry family’s Woodlands racing empire.
“It is a magnificent property with world-class facilities on beautiful land,” Mr Tait said in a statement. “Having grown up close to Twin Hills and been fortunate enough to work and live in the major thoroughbred breeding centres of the world, I know how lucky we are to have this opportunity.”
The property sits in one of the best thoroughbred breeding areas in Australia, having produced countless Champions, Golden Slipper, Guineas, Derby and Oaks winners.
The Sheikh of Dubai has sold his Twin Hills stud near Cootamundra, NSW. Photo: Supplied
Giants of the turf
“The Stud has an incredible past and has belonged to giants of the turf, Mike Willesee, the Ingham brothers and Sheikh Mohammed. We are looking forward to making it our home and adding to its history.”
Godolphin instructed William Inglis and Son‘s director Jamie Inglis and Sam Triggs to manage the sale of the Twin Hills Stud Farm.
“The Twin Hills Stud Farm has played an important part in Godolphin’s success over the years and so the decision to sell has not been taken lightly,” said managing director of Godolphin in Australia, Henry Plumptre.
“However, as our operations are increasingly focused on the Hunter Valley, Sydney and central Victoria, the location of Twin Hills makes it difficult to consolidate our operations around our other significant landholdings.”
The Twin Hills stud has been the base for champion race horses. Photo: Jean Pierre Henderrson
The property has played a central role in Godolphin’s Australian racing operations and has been the base for outstanding racehorses such as Appearance, Exosphere, Epaulette and Guelph.
Mr Inglis said the sale reflected the strength in the rural property sector and continued international interest in the Australian thoroughbred market.
“The extraordinary level of development and natural strengths of the country, combined with the access to Sydney and Melbourne, ensured that the property attracted a wide level of interest.”
Mr Triggs said: “Our experience at present is demand for land continues to outstrip supply with Inglis’s database consisting of capitalised and motivated buyers looking to secure land ‘on’ or ‘off’ market”.
