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www.racingxtra.com Was Dale Sutton still training there or not?Queensland Racing Limited (QRL) chairman, Mr Bob Bentley, announced today that QRL has secured the Wadham Park equine training complex and veterinary hospital at Beaudesert south of Brisbane.
Wadham Park covers 66 hectares of prime, flood-free land in two portions and comprises a fully equipped equine and veterinary hospital with two state-of-the-art operating theatres and recovery facilities. In addition to all fixed improvements, the complex comprises:
1 x 2200m grass track
1 x 2000m grass track
1 x 2000m synthetic track
1 x 1400m sand track
Numerous sand rolls and round yards
1 x 50m swimming pool
1 x 75m swimming pool
2 x aqua walkers
3 x eight horse walkers
2 x 16 horse walkers
"Wadham Park will ensure that South-East Queensland has up-to-date training facilities to accommodate continued expansion of the racing industry. This new initiative will take pressure off existing facilities at the Gold Coast, Beaudesert and Deagon, which are currently overtaxed and in less that optimal condition," said Mr Bentley.
"The contract to purchase Wadham Park follows the recent decision to approve the newly formed Brisbane Racing Club's (BRC) application to build on-course stables at Eagle Farm. The BRC's decision on balance will be sufficient to accommodate the metropolitan training needs.
"It is expected that Wadham Park when fully developed will provide stabling and training facilities for 700 horses and will provide a huge employment boost to this area of Queensland.
"QRL will develop a five year plan to fully develop this facility and will provide Queensland with a training centre equivalent to what is currently enjoyed by the Victorian racing industry.
"In addition it is QRL's intention to establish Wadham Park as the Queensland industry's training centre to ensure that modern, professional, scientific skills are delivered to a new generation of industry workers in addition to the accommodation of 700 horses on site.
"Wadham Park is ideally situated, being in close proximity to the regional high schools of Beaudesert, Boonah, Canungra and Jimboomba. These schools are already providing a comprehensive agricultural curriculum but lack dedicated facilities to complement the student's enthusiasm for the industry in providing future horse technicians, trackwork riders and jockeys.
"The securing of Wadham Park will allow the transfer of QRL's already successful training department to take advantage of this exceptional resource base."
Mr Bentley anticipates that the handover will take place on July 1, 2009, and it is intended to have each facility up and running as soon as possible. QRL is currently in the process of developing a staged development plan, which is likely to see ongoing development at each facility for a number of years.
