Cover image courtesy of Noorilim Park
Comprising 1700 acres on the banks of the Goulburn River in the Victorian thoroughbred heartland, Noorilim Park was purchased in 2006 by Chairman Peter Carrick and the picturesque property has grown in stature since taking its first draft to the sales in 2015.
The Carricks handed Kent, a former Blue Gum Farm Horse Operations Manager, the reins to their prospering property following the departure of previous Operations Manager Sherah Sullivan in May.
“Chris is a very good asset for us to have. He’s a young, hardworking and honest individual who has got so much drive and passion for the game, I really don’t think we could have acquired anyone better,” Noorilim Park Thoroughbreds Business Manager, Glen Carrick, told TDN AusNZ.
"Chris (Kent) is a very good asset for us to have. He’s a young, hardworking and honest individual who has got so much drive and passion for the game, I really don’t think we could have acquired anyone better." - Glen Carrick
“Chris’ expertise from foaling down and preparing drafts for a farm (Blue Gum) that continually tops the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale is an invaluable asset to our operation.
“So, to have someone like Chris and his wife Catherine living and working on the farm is great for us as we continue to invest in building the infrastructure required to grow our brand further.”
Easy decision to make
Kent described the decision to join Noorilim Park as a no-brainer and the Carricks’ vision was a major drawcard.
“I fell in love with the farm the first time I came out, when I drove in I was speechless. It just felt right,” Kent told TDN AusNZ.
“I could tell Peter was very passionate by the way he had invested in the facilities from the fencing to the stables, along with his passion for the industry and where he wants the farm to go.
“So, to be able to wake up on the property every morning and to look out and over this beautiful farm that I live on with my wife and 6-month-old son is great.”
Samson Sibanda and Chris Kent | Image courtesy of Inglis
Kent’s driving force is to ensure the farm's clients can achieve the best possible results in the sales ring and on the racetrack.
He said his time working under and alongside the likes of Blue Gum Farm’s Philip Campbell, Bellerive Stud’s Brian Gorman, esteemed breaker Greg Bennett and an extensive list of other well-respected industry professionals has him well-prepared to facilitate the farm's expansion.
And as a self-confessed workaholic, Kent will be leaving no stone unturned in his mission to grow Noorilim Park into an industry leader.
“Everyone I’ve worked with from farmhands, assistant managers to my bosses have helped me get to where I am now as you learn something from everyone. I’ve been very fortunate to work with some amazing people so far,” Kent said.
“I’ve been very fortunate to work with some amazing people so far.” – Chris Kent
“I was very driven to learn and at the end of my time at Bellerive if I wasn’t on night watch I was on call as I love foalings. It's just my thing, even at Blue Gum I would attend 90 per cent as you learn so much from each experience.”
Noorilim Park | Image courtesy of Noorilim Park
Kent takes great pride in preparing sales drafts and caring for some of the finest horseflesh in the state, including a host of spellers from the farm's biggest supporters Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA), Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and Tony and Calvin McEvoy.
"I loved working with the calibre of horses I have over the years and regardless of their price they have one thing in common, they’re a horse, and being a herd animal their mental state is most important,” Kent said.
“In my opinion, yard time is very important so they can come out and just be a horse, to have a graze, a kick and a roll. People forget they’re just babies who need to have that association with their friends.
“Not many people know about this farm and I believe it has the right building blocks to be a very successful farm. We’ve got access to great irrigation, passionate owners and everything here is done properly and to a high standard.”
“We’ve got access to great irrigation, passionate owners and everything here is done properly and to a high standard.” – Chris Kent
Noorilim Park will send four weanlings through the ring at the Inglis Great Southern Sale at Oaklands Junction, headlined by a Zoustar colt out of the farm’s very own Listed winner and Group 3-placed mare Minaj (NZ) (Commands).
“Their preparations started back in April and I’ve just put some finishing touches on what the team had already gotten underway,” Kent said.
“I’m very happy with how they’ve all come up ahead of my first sale with the farm, they’re four nice horses. The Zoustar is a lovely individual and so is our Impending-Miss Supersonic colt, who is a beautiful-moving horse like his father who I have a big wrap for.”
Impending x Miss Supersonic (colt)
