QRL Secures Wadham Park - #1 Horse Racing Forum in Australia for Race-Horse News

BillandTony

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Original Post 2009-Mar-24, 05:04 PM

from 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.


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Arsenal

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2009-Mar-25, 10:38 AM

Courier Mail story suggests the undisclosed price at around $30m whereas Friar Tuck who posted yesterday wrote that the asking price, when he was there, was about half
Maybe we'll have to wait and see. The figure will be disclosed eventually and providing the price gets a tick I think Bob had made a good move. Thumb Up

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Queensland Racing buys Wadham Park training centreArticle from: By Bernie Pramberg
March 24, 2009 11:00pm

QUEENSLAND Racing has secured the $30 million Wadham Park complex near Canungra for development as an industry training centre for 800 horses.

The complex will also have a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital and an education centre for people pursuing careers in the industry.

The 66ha complex, originally developed by champion jockey Mick Dittman and then ex-chairman of Toll Transport, Peter Rowsthorn, has four tracks (two grass, synthetic and sand), six houses, stabling, yards, pools, aqua walkers, horse walkers and sand rolls.

A modern equine and veterinary hospital with operating theatres and recovery facilities is also part of the complex.

In announcing the acquisition yesterday, QR chairman Bob Bentley said upwards of $5m a year would be spent over the next five years in developing the complex.

"This will provide Queensland with a training centre equivalent to what is currently enjoyed by the Victorian racing industry," he said.

"This initiative will take pressure off existing facilities at the Gold Coast, Beaudesert and Deagon which are currently overtaxed."

Bentley said QR had investigated developing Beaudesert but the fact the racecourse was located on a floodplain was a negative.

"At present the facility could handle 200 to 250 horses and we intend to increase that capacity to 800," he said.

"Wadham Park is ideally located and in close proximity to regional high schools of Beaudesert, Boonah, Canungra and Jimboomba where a comprehensive agricultural curriculum is included.

"Students interested in working in our industry will now have a facility to cater for future horse technicians, trackwork riders and apprentice jockeys."

Bentley said the development of Wadham Park would provide a huge boost for employment in the district.

Although the purchase price is confidential at this stage, it is believed the vendors were asking $29 million.

"But the valuation was well above that figure," said Bentley. "We have to complete due diligence regarding water licences and the like, but hope to take possession on July 1."

Wadham Park is located 40 minutes from the Gold Coast and one hour from Brisbane.

Bentley said funding for the project would initially come from QR's coffers and the facility would increasingly become income generating.

"We run a commercial business and have budgeted for a surplus for quite a few years," he said.


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Arsenal

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2009-Mar-25, 10:40 AM

Thenamy1 writes ... 2009-Mar-25, 09:55 AM

Peter Cameron hasn't given up on Palm Meadows:

He's a plugger all right.


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2009-Mar-25, 10:48 AM

Arsenal writes ... 2009-Mar-25, 10:40 AM

Thenamy1 writes ... 2009-Mar-25, 09:55 AM

Peter Cameron hasn't given up on Palm Meadows:

He's a plugger all right.

Palm Meadows is to be a racecourse isn't it ?

Does it have a 700m long straight ?
Does every starting point have 700m to the first turn ?
Or is it still a pipe dream with no planing available yet ?


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Max Manewer

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2009-Mar-25, 11:14 AM

Or is it still a pipe dream with no planing available yet ?

That would be aqua-planing, according to some. lol


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gratlog

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2009-Mar-25, 11:16 AM

Arsenal writes ... 2009-Mar-25, 10:38 AM

one hour from Brisbane.

In a very fast car at 2am and no traffic biggrin


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Arsenal

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2009-Mar-25, 05:50 PM

https://www.queenslandracing.com.au/wadham/wadhampark3.asp

This is a video interview with Bob outlining the features of the two properties.

Once the sale is settled I reckon it would be a good idea to change the name from Wadham Park and to canvass suggestions from stakeholders. Thumb Up

Ted could be relied on to enter. biggrin


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Grega9430

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2009-Mar-25, 05:55 PM

Friar Tuck writes ... 2009-Mar-25, 12:43 AM

The asking price for the two facilities was approx $12 million. I would imagine QRL would have picked them up for somewhere around $7 or $8 mill.

"Although the purchase price is confidential at this stage, it is believed the vendors were asking $29 million. "But the valuation was well above that figure," said Bentley." "We run a commercial business and have budgeted for a surplus for quite a few years," he said.

So which is it $7M or $29M ???????


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ianb

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2009-Mar-25, 06:37 PM

Another great idea from Bob - I don't think. Has this fool ever owned a horse in his life? Most owners like to see their horse work at least once during a preparation. Travelling 3 hours to see your horse work won't appeal to many owners. So unless he can get several very very large stables to go there or shut down the Gold Coast Track,which by the way is probably his plan, he is kidding himself with 700 horses. Whatever money he has spent would have gone a long way at Doomben or Eagle Farm.


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Mick

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2009-Mar-25, 07:37 PM

Mr.Bentley should be applauded for his imaginitive vision for the future of racing in Qld.Every move he has made has been an outstanding success.Peter Cameron has reinforced his view on Palm Meadows with a supportive article in the Gold Coast Bulletin.The purchase of Wadham Park adds to his achievements.
The introduction of twilight racing at Caloundra has ensured the club will progress in leaps & bounds.All sections of the industry are united in ensuring this will happen.
The Cushion at Toowoomba is progressing smoothly.On it's completion they will have a world class training facility,with Caloundra moving permanently into the Saturday Twilight time slot.
Well done Mr.Bentley,you are a administrator ahead of your time.Don't let the knockers alter your abitious plans


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Max Manewer

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2009-Mar-25, 07:39 PM

You have some connection with QRL, Mick ?


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MagiC~*

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2009-Mar-25, 07:55 PM

Max Manewer writes ... 2009-Mar-25, 07:39 PM

You have some connection with QRL, Mick ?

Sounds like he has a connection with a cushion tack maybe .... lol


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2009-Mar-25, 07:56 PM

I agree with what Mick has said, but for some reason i get the impression he is being facetious. lol


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Arsenal

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2009-Mar-26, 05:50 AM

Canungra complex set to replace historic trackArticle from: Bart Sinclair
March 25, 2009 11:00pm

THE future of training at Beaudesert is extremely doubtful if Queensland Racing Limited's purchase of the two Wadham Park complexes proceeds.

Presently there are about 200 horses using the Beaudesert racecourse training facilities.

QRL earlier this week announced it was set to acquire the Wadham Park properties at Canungra for an undisclosed sum believed to be about $20 million, well below the asking price of $29 million.

There is stabling for 140 horses at those two properties and plans are to ultimately carry out an upgrade to cater for the training of 800 horses.

Beaudesert Race Club president Terry McKinnon yesterday confirmed he had held preliminary discussions with QRL chairman Bob Bentley about setting up a large-scale training centre on the track.

But Beaudesert was ruled out because of flood issues. The course has been under water just twice in recent decades.

Certainly BRC has a history of financial problems and internal dispute. The financial burden of providing training facilities has been a major factor.

"There is no doubt the cost of having two full-time staff to maintain standards for training has been a large contributing factor in the current financial situation of the club," QRL's chief operations manager Malcolm Tuttle said.

"We are providing a small grant to assist the club with its present financial woes.

"As far as training at Beaudesert is concerned we need that to continue for the short term. It will be a matter for the board to review in the future but it's fair to say it is unlikely we would have two major training centres in the area."

The BRC has an allocation of six race dates annually and for the moment those fixtures are not under review.

McKinnon is hopeful - but not certain - the club will be allowed to retain the six meetings.

"I respect QRL's right to make a commercial decision," he said.

"I'm disappointed Wadham Park was chosen ahead of Beaudesert as a training centre. Our track is owned by the State Government through the Department of Natural Resources and held in trusteeship by the local council.

"I would have liked to have seen the asset transferred to QRL for $1.

"That would compare with $20 million or so paid for Wadham Park. Still that's the decision QRL has taken and we now see what happens."

Former Gold Coast Turf Club board member Peter Lawlor will be the Minister for Racing in the new Bligh Government ministry. He also has responsibility for Tourism and Fair Trading.

At Last someone who knows about racing. Thumb Up


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Friar Tuck

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2009-Mar-26, 06:23 AM

I would be astounded if they paid $20 mill for the place.


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Arsenal

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2009-Mar-26, 06:29 AM

Friar Tuck writes ... 2009-Mar-26, 06:23 AM

I would be astounded if they paid $20 mill for the place.

It was $30m yesterday We'll know soon enough.

Hard to explain the difference from the asking price in 2008 you mentioned Property values are mostly going down not up. Undecided


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