Cover image courtesy of Sportpix

The Empire Rose S. is a Group 1 race, named in honour of the champion mare Empire Rose (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), who completed the 1988 Mackinnon S. and Melbourne Cup double.

Open to fillies and mares, the 1600-metre race is run under weight-for-age conditions at Flemington.

It was first held in 1988, with the Colin Hayes-trained Concordance (Hauberk) victorious.

The race carried Listed status from 1988-1994. It was a Group 3 in 1995/96, a Group 2 up to 2003, before being upgraded in 2004.

It has also been named the Honda Legend, Hardy Brothers Classic, the Nestle Peters Classic, and between 2015-17 it was the Myer Classic.

Three-year-old fillies became eligible in 2002 when the race went from set weights plus penalties, to weight for age.

Not surprisingly, the race’s honour roll is ladened with class. Notable winners include Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), Shoals (Fastnet Rock), Typhoon Tracy (Red Ransom {USA}), Forensics (Flying Spur), Lotteria (Redoute’s Choice), Miss Potential (Dolphin Street {Fr}), Aunty Mary (Copper Kingdom {USA}), Excited Angel (Don’t Say Halo {USA}) and Natural Wonder (Aurilandy).

Legacies

Horses with the NZ suffix have enjoyed a great record in recent times. Last year, Icebath (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) finally broke her Group 1 duck, while in 2019 the brilliant Melody Belle was first home. Savabeel mare Shillelagh (NZ) won 12 months earlier, while Shane Nichols’ gun filly I Am A Star (NZ) (I Am Invincible) proved too good in 2016.

The great Damien Oliver has won the race on three occasions - Colette (Hallowed Crown) in 2021, Shout The Bar (Not A Single Doubt) in 2020 and Hurtle Myrtle (Dane Shadow) in 2011.

In terms of trainers, Gai Waterhouse has won the race twice. Her victories came via Shout The Bar (in partnership with Adrian Bott) and Lotteria in 2005. The legendary trainer has Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}) in on Saturday. Chris Waller is also a two-time winner. His successes were Shillelagh, in 2018, and Red Tracer (Dane Shadow) in 2013. He has a three-pronged attack this year, with Princess Grace (USA) (Karakontie {Jpn}), Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) and Hinged (Worthy Cause) all to take their place in the field.

Interestingly, Dane Shadow has provided two winners - Red Tracer and Hurtle Myrtle, so too did Redoute’s Choice - Bonaria in 2014 and Lotteria. But, it is Commands that is the stallion to have the greatest influence, perhaps. He has sired two winners - Melody Belle and the 2012 victress Appearance, and he is also the damsire of the 2015 heroine Politeness.

Gallery: Progeny of Commands has possibly had the greatest influence on the G1 Empire Rose S.

Top broodmares

A number of winners have gone on to make an impact in the breeding barn.

Following Hurtle Myrtle’s triumph, she has thrown the Group 3 winner Holyfield (I Am Invincible) and the Listed scorer Vamos Bebe (I Am Invincible).

The 2007 heroine Divine Madonna (Hurricane Sky) produced the Listed winner Maternal (Street Cry {Ire}).

In 2001, Market Price (Scenic {Ire}) took the honours and she has thrown the Listed winner Colour Change (Red Dazzler).

The 1998 scorer Bonanova (NZ) (Star Way {GB}) produced two Listed winners - Bonaichi (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}) and Prima Nova (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).

Excited Angel landed the prize in 1992 and she would later produce the Listed winner Acquiver (Danehill {USA}).

The 1990 victress Natural Wonder is the dam of the dual Group 3 scorer Hula Wonder (Hula Chief {NZ}) and she herself produced the stakes winners Sugar Bella (Not A Single Doubt) and Willy Jimmy (Dehere {USA}). Sugar Bella is the dam of last week’s Listed Crockett S. scorer Gumdrops (Written Tycoon).

And, in 1989, Echo Lass (NZ) (Prince Echo {Ire}) won the race before going on to produce the Group 1 hero Des’s Dream (NZ) (Dahar {USA}).

Furthermore, a host of mares that have retired in recent times have fetched seriously good money at various broodmare sales.

Icebath made $2.3 million at this year’s Inglis Chairman’s Sale. She was bought by Yulong Stud from the Newgate Consignment. Yulong also secured Melody Belle - a 14-time Group 1 heroine - for $2.6 million from the Blue Sky Premium Consignment at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

Shout The Bar, offered by Glenesk Thoroughbreds, was purchased by Coolmore’s Tom Magnier for $2.7 million at the 2022 Inglis The Chairman’s Sale.

Fillies versus mares

Three-year-old fillies became eligible in 2002 when the race went from set weights plus penalties to weight for age.

Only two fillies have won the race; the Shane Nichols-trained I Am A Star was the first in 2016, before the beautifully bred Shoals won for Anthony Freedman and Pinecliff Racing a year later.

In 2022, just one 3-year-old contested the race, that being the now-retired Lickety Split (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}). With the late Dean Holland in the saddle, she finished eighth, 2.6l off the winner. ‘Ollie’ will partner the Team Hawkes-trained More Secrets (More Than Ready {USA}) in his final ride in the race.

Lucky longshots

In recent seasons there have been a number of big-priced winners. Shout The Bar started at $31 when she won, while Politeness was a $21 chance. Bonaria was a $26 pop when she bested her rivals, and Appearance was $41 when she was first across the line.

The 2023 edition

A capacity field of 16 (plus one emergency) has accepted for this year’s running of the Empire Rose S, but none are 3-year-olds.

Just three mares boast an all-important victory at the elite-level - they being Alcohol Free, Atishu and Hinged - so there is plenty on the line for the majority of the field.

Highlighting the globalisation of racing, there is a mare with a USA suffix (Princess Grace), IRE appears twice - Alcohol Free and Deny Knowledge (Pride Of Dubai), while Atishu, Renaissance Woman (Reliable Man {GB}), Wrote To Arataki (Wrote {Ire}) and Life Lessons (Tavistock {NZ}) all carry the NZ suffix.

Both Foxwedge and Pride Of Dubai have two runners. The former has Foxy Friday and Barbie’s Fox, the latter is represented by Pride Of Jenni and Deny Knowledge.

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Please note, usual classifications of major races are not referenced until the 1970s, when the Pattern system first emerged.

There is so much interesting trivia surrounding this time-honoured (yes I know that is a cliche but in this case it fits!) Classic contest first run in 1855, 75 years after the inaugural running of its famed Epsom counterpart.

It is rare for a filly to contest the race in the modern era but the first three editions were taken out by females - Rose Of May (Dolo {GB}), Flying Doe (The Premier {GB}) and Tricolor (The Premier) with the latter going on to produce the 1863 winner Oriflamme (Boiardo {GB}).

The 1882 and 1886 versions were won by Navigator and Trident who shared several wins in common, both also successful in the AJC Derby, the Australian Cup, the VRC St Leger and the AJC St Leger. And they were full brothers!

Their sire was Robinson Crusoe - a horse who had won the 1876 AJC Derby whilst racing simply as “the Chrysolite colt” after his dam and who was subsequently named in honour of a terrifying voyage in which he took part.

The SS City Of Melbourne's trip from Sydney to Melbourne in early September 1876 on which eleven horses were making their way south to contest spring features. Such as the Metropolitan H.-winning Melbourne Cup favourite Nemesis (Knight Of The Garter {GB}) and 1875 VRC Derby winner Robin Hood (Fireworks).

Pushing head-on into gale force conditions, the ship was struck with all but two of the horses killed either by drowning or being crushed - including Nemesis and Robin Hood.

In charge of the horses on the ship was the jockey Joe Morrison who had ridden Robinson Crusoe to his AJC Derby success and it was due to his dedication that the horse survived with a mixture of hands-on care and doses of gin and beer.

So ill that he had to be carried off once the ship came ashore, Robinson Crusoe made a remarkable recovery - going on to not only further big-race success, but also a good career at stud with nice impact on the VRC Derby - siring not only a couple of winners but also the dams of the winners Camoola (Chester) 1892, Cocos (Abercorn) 1898 and F J A (Wallace) 1903.

The ill-fated Robin Hood's sire Fireworks also won the VRC Derby... twice.

Yes you read that right - twice! The Derby was run its now traditional spring timeslot in 1867 before being reinvented for a short time on New Year's Day... and he won it again; backing up later in the afternoon to win another race.

Going on to add the AJC Derby to his resume, Fireworks enjoyed a successful career at stud - siring not only Robin Hood but the 1873 VRC Derby winner Lapidist.

More fillies to the fore

The 1871 and 1886 Derbys were won by the fillies Miss Jessie (Maribyrnong) and Briseis (Tim Whiffler {GB}) - both daughters of the 1862 VRC Sires' Produce S. winner Musidora (The Premier) who also produced the VRC St Leger-winning mare Sea Spray (The Peer {GB}), in turn dam of the VRC St Leger winner Caspian (King Of The Ring).

Briseis earned legendary status (she is a member of the Australian Racing Hall of Fame) with her six wins over the course of 1876. Not permitted to take on the older horses in Victoria, she headed to Sydney where she won - as a 2-year-old - the Doncaster H. with 35kg!

She won a Flying three days later and the All Aged S. the next day. Her Melbourne spring was just as demanding, Briseis lining up on all four days of the Flemington carnival - winning the VRC Derby by 3l in record time, the Melbourne Cup by 2l in record time and the VRC Oaks. Her strapper Peter St Albans was aboard for her Doncaster and Cup victories - as a reported 13-year-old (he was actually 11, the fabrication allowing him to ride) he was one of the few able to ride at such light weights.

Another couple of half-siblings won the Derby in the 1800s - Lantern (Muscovado {GB}) in 1861 and My Dream (Fisherman {GB}) in 1869. Both won other Flemington majors on different days to when they are now run - Lantern winning the Melbourne Cup the day before his 6l stroll home in the Derby whilst My Dream won the Oaks in the spring and the Derby on New Year's Day.

The year after Briseis' memorable victory, the VRC Derby, was won by Chester who would also win that year's Melbourne Cup amongst a host of feature races despite often racing sore. A great early influence on Australian racing, he was crowned Champion Sire on four occasions with his 26 stakes winners including the VRC Derby winners Camoola and Dreadnought.

Three years after Chester's success the Derby was won by another horse who would go onto become Champion Sire - the unbeaten Grand Flaneur who also won the Melbourne Cup and the Mares Produce S. that week. And he was the first Cup winner to sire a Cup winner... two actually!

A debut for the ages

Another interesting Derby story emerged three years on, Martini Henry (NZ) making his debut in the race. Which he won, pretty remarkable on its own - but a few days later at his second outing he also won the Melbourne Cup.

And at start number three, the Mares Produce S. - some first week of racing! He went onto stud success and has something in common with fellow Derby winner Grand Flaneur - both represented by feature race winners in the UK... Martini Henry's daughter Mons Meg winning the 1891 Ascot Gold Vase whilst Grand Flaneur's Williamstown Cup-winning son Merman was purchased by Lillie Langtry to campaign in England where he won a number of nice races including the Goodwood Cup, the Ascot Gold Cup and the Cesarewitch.

The most successful VRC Derby-winning sire of VRC Derby winners is the 1895 winner Wallace. One of the legendary Carbine's (NZ) finest sons, he also won the Caulfield Guineas and the Sydney Cup before a stud career than spanned 22 seasons.

Australian's Champion Sire of the 1915/16 season, he sired the winners of many a big race, including two Melbourne Cups - Kingsburgh and Patrobas with the latter being one of his six VRC Derby winners.

The first Derby of the 1900's was taken out by another horse who would make his mark at stud - Maltster who was Malua-like in his versatility, following his Derby win with a Melbourne Cup second, a 1200-metre win on Oaks Day and a 2400-metre win on final day.

Between 1909 and 1915 he was Australian Champion Sire on five occasions, from his Widden Stud-base siring scores of big race winners including two VRC Derby horses - Alawa and Beverage (successful despite being blind in his right eye!). He also sired the dams of two Derby winners - Wolaroi and Eusebius (Eudorus {GB}).

The only horse with the VRC Derby (1906), the AJC Derby, the AJC St Leger, the VRC St Leger, the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup, Poseidon was undoubtedly one of the greats and he had a particular fan in the shape of the Chinese market gardener Jimmy Ah Poon who formed a friendship with the horse as he fed him carrots from his garden.

Ah Poon became somewhat of a legend to the bookmakers on the time, letting an early bet on Poseidon ride through to his wins (he managed not to back him when he didn't salute!), making enough for him to retire a wealthy man to his homeland!

It was 1921 and 1923 which saw the Derby won by fillies - Furious (The Welkin {GB}) and Frances Tressady (Tressady {GB}) whose names live on with feature races named in their honour. Not since then has a female won the race.

Spearfelt - winner of the 1924 Derby - must've been a particularly tough customer. Born in Victoria, he was on a steamship heading to New South Wales when his dam died and he had to be bottle-fed. Later on he suffered from a bout of pneumonia, recovering to add the Melbourne Cup to his impressive list of wins; a crowd of 120,000 on course to cheer him on.

The Champion Sire of 1942/43, he sired the following season's Melbourne Cup winner Dark Felt and he was damsire of the 1946 VRC Derby winner Prince Standard (Mr Standfast {GB}).

Chautauqua, oh wait - no, Manfred won the race in 1925. Forgive the confusion, this was a horse who, like his modern counterpart, was not always in the mood for racing. In fact on six occasions during his 28-start career, he simply refused to take part.

“Only a stick of dynamite could have moved Manfred when he took it into his head to stay at the post,” said his jockey Frank Dempsey. But when in the mood he was a sight to behold and he actually won a race in which he initially showed no interest in - allowing his rivals in the 1925 AJC Derby to get half a furlong's start on him!

Racing fans thought they were seeing something pretty special in Manfred but a horse born four years later would leave everything in his wake - a horse every horse ever born in Australasia has been compared to since.

The great Big Red

We are talking about, of course, the legendary Phar Lap (NZ) (Night Raid {GB}).

He was having his 14th start on that day - November 2, 1929 and he was sent out at unbackable odds with The Age's “Tasman” reporting that "he seems as near to a racecourse certainty as it is possible to be.”

The same reporter in his post-race summary described Phar Lap's record breaking 2l victory with the words, “the sight was inspiring and he would be an unemotional being who was not thrilled.”

Phar Lap's success led to a major Derby rule change - from 1932 to 1956 geldings not permitted to take part.

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

There are not huge numbers of American-bred mares making their way to Australia each season but they are certainly making their mark, in 2023 producing three locally bred Group 1 winners, as well as one high-class imported galloper.

The G1 Blue Diamond S. winner Little Brose (Per Incanto {USA}), a $200,000 Magic Millions graduate bred by David Wallace is a son of the Listed winner Mohegan Sky (USA) (Straight Man {USA}), half-sister to the Listed winner Vous (USA) (Wild Rush {USA}) - grandam of the Group 1 winner Ruby Love (Chi) (Scat Daddy {USA}).

His family goes back to the early 1900s in the United States and all but one of his first six broodmares sires are American-bred. His breeder was quoted after the Blue Diamond as thinking Mohegan Sky - a mare at her best over sprinting trips - would be best suited by speed type stallions.

This has been a common theme with those buying American-bred mares over the years - the idea that the way they race in America; fast from gate to post - is a good fit for speed stallions in this part of the world.

Backing a win in the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas with success in this year's G1 Australasian Oaks at Morphettville, Affaire A Suivre (NZ) (Astern) was bred by Courtney and Mandy Howell and purchased for NZ$75,000 by First Light Racing, Paul Willetts, Ciaron Maher Racing and David Eustace at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.

She is by Astern, an Australian-bred son of the American horse Medaglia d'Oro (USA) out of the placed Laurelling (USA) (Highest Honor {Fr}) who is a granddaughter of the great American-bred broodmares in Fall Aspen (USA) (Pretense {USA}).

Her Listed Scone Cup-winning half-brother Laure Me In is by an American-bred stallion in the shape of Ad Valorem (USA) and she has also produced the dual city winner Saquon by the American-bred horse No Nay Never (USA).

Another descendant of Fall Aspen is King Colorado (Kingman {GB}), the G1 JJ Atkins S. winner bred by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum who remains in the ownership.

His dam is the Listed winner More Aspen (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}), half-sister to the Listed winner Jade Master (USA) (Master Command {USA}) out of a daughter of Fall Aspen's G1 Gamely H. winner Northern Aspen (USA) (Northern Dancer {Can}).

The imported Group 1 winner out of an American bred mare is the G1 Metropolitan H. winner Just Fine (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), a 300,000gns (AU$595,500) purchase for McKeever Bloodstock and Waterhouse-Bott Racing at the 2022 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale.

He is out of the three-time winner Bint Almatar (USA) (Kingmambo {USA}) whose stakes-winning dam Firth Of Lorne (USA) (Danehill {USA}) also produced the G1 Woodbine Mile winner Master Of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and three other stakes winners including the G3 UAE Oaks winner Falls of Lora (Ire) (Street Cry {Ire}) whose son Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) is a triple Group 1 winner in Australia.

It is interesting to note all four horses hail from American sire lines - Little Brose's sire Per Incanto (USA) bred in the US, Affaire A Suivre's sire Astern being a son of Medaglia D'Oro whilst King Colorado and Just Fine are by both by grandsons of the American-bred Green Desert (USA).

The line-breeding patterns of each horses are American in flavour as well, Little Brose boasting duplications of Halo (USA) whilst Affaire A Suivre is line-bred to the American-bred Sadler's Wells and the G1 Kentucky Oaks heroine Lalun (USA) (Djeddah {Fr}).

King Colorado and Just Fine are both line-bred to Mr Prospector (USA) with the former also carrying crosses of Lyphard (USA) and Almahmoud (USA) (Mahmoud {Fr}) whilst the latter is also 4 X 4 Danzig (USA).

Another two of his year's Group 1 winners have American-bred mares as their grandams - Newgate's G1 Canterbury S. winner Artorius being a grandson of the Group 1 placed Listed winner Grace And Power (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}).

And the recent G1 Caulfield Cup winner Without A Fight's (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) grandam is Princess Manila (USA) (Manila {USA}), dam of two stakes winners including Without A Fight's Group 3 and dual Listed winning dam Khor Sheed (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).

Again both of these horses have further American influence to their pedigrees, Artorius being a grandson of Artie Schiller (USA) and Without A Fight a great-grandson of Sadler's Wells. Both have nice female line-breeding to American mares - Artorius boasting a cross of Somethingroyal (USA) (Princequillo {Fr}) and Without A Fight line-bred to Victoriana (USA) (Windfields {USA}).

“American breeding has certainly made its way into Australian stallions,” said Performance Genetics' Byron Rogers, “so pedigree factors in regards to commonality do come into play.”

But it is the speed inherent in American mares that Rogers believes is key to their success in Australia.

“American horses have to have great gate speed - and that speed is an inheritable trait.

“American mares have very good hind leg so they can ping out of the barriers and whilst overall they are the same shape as Australian stallions, they tend to be slightly bigger which makes them a good physical fit.”

“There are some obscure American pedigrees but Australian breeders tend to avoid them and focus on what fits the local mold.”

Milburn Creek have been regular buyers of broodmares in America with Scott Holcombe looking forward to his upcoming trip, his fifth.

“Generally speaking, we like to see a bit of speed in the mares we buy but what we really like about the American sales is the variety and the value.”

“Obviously, with so many mares on offer you really have to do your work but we find that even though our dollar is rubbish you can still buy well.

“Their stakes winners are very competitively priced compared to the Australian market,” he said, noting that Milburn have been extremely happy with the foals their American-bred mares have been producing.

“We have found that they are leaving types that really suit Australia,” he said.

Amongst the mares Milburn have secured in the United States in recent years are Soft Kiss (USA) (Bernardini {USA}) whose Exceed And Excel colt fetched $400,000 at Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale this year and Chocolate Martini (USA) (Broken Vow {USA}) whose Snitzel filly sold for $300,000 at the same sale.

The yet to be named Exceed And Excel was purchased by Magus Equine, Hong Kong whilst the Snitzel named Cantarito (in the Chris Waller stable) - was bought by Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock (FBAA).

It is interesting to note that both of those stallions have fared well with American-bred mares - three of the 18 Group 1 winners by Exceed And Excel being out of them... Mr Stunning, Queen Supreme (Ire) and Gold Trip's (Fr) sire, Outstrip (GB).

And of Snitzel's 19 Group 1 winners, four - Russian Revolution, Hot Snitzel, Wild Ruler and Heavenly Blue - are out of American-bred mares.

Gallery: Some of the Group 1 success Snitzel has acheived through matings with American-bred mares

Of course a breeder who goes to the trouble and expense of importing an American mare is firstly going to ensure that she has excellent performance and/or pedigree, and secondly that she will visit successful and/or commercial stallions.

Let's have a look at the eleven American-bred mares imported to Australia from America last spring:

Always In The Munny (USA) (Munnings {USA}): a Listed winning half-sister to two stakes winners, she foaled a colt by Written Tycoon.

Channeled's Lady (USA) (Channeled {USA}): a placed half-sister to the Group 1 placed Listed winner Grace And Power (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}), the dam of the G1 Darley Classic winner Delectation (Shamardal {USA}) and grandam of the dual Group 1 winner, Artorius.

Excessivespending (USA) (Shackleford {USA}): a Listed-winning half-sister to the Listed winner Sweet Marini (USA) (Marino Marini {USA}), in turn dam of the Listed winner Sweet Harmony (USA) (Bayern {USA}), she foaled a colt by Stay Inside.

Fairouz (USA) (Dubawi {Ire}): a mare who raced just once, she is out of the triple Group winner Guapaza (Chi) (Seeking The Dia {USA}) - she foaled a colt by The Autumn Sun.

I'llhandlethecash (USA) (Point Of Entry {USA}): a Listed-winning daughter of a Listed-winning daughter of the Canadian Champion 3YO Filly Too Late Now (Can) (Raj Waki {USA}) , she foaled a Stay Inside filly.

Inthemidstofbiz (USA) (Fed Biz {USA}): a Group 2-winning daughter of a Listed winner, she foaled a colt by Home Affairs.

Ippodamia's Girl (USA) (Stormy Atlantic {USA}}: a dual stakes-winning daughter of a Listed winner who also produced the G2 Del Mar Futurity winner Georgie Boy (USA) (Tribal Rule {USA}), she foaled a colt by Snitzel.

Karak (USA) (Karakontie {Jpn}): a dual Listed winning half-sister to the five-time Listed winner Aqua Frio (USA) (Uncle Mo {USA}), she foaled a filly by Stay Inside.

Lakerball (USA) (Lakerville {USA}): a dual Listed winner out of a half-sister to the Group 1 galloper Ultra Blend (USA) (Richly Blended {USA}), she missed to Trapeze Artist.

Lenzi's Lucky Day (USA) (With Distinction {USA}): a two-time Listed-winning daughter of a two-time Listed winner, she foaled a colt by Xtravagant.

Moonlight Romance (USA) (Liaison {USA}): a Listed winner out of a half-sister to the Listed winner Torey Ridge (USA) (Danzatore {Can}), she was served by Extreme Choice.

Cover image courtesy of Inglis

Based amongst the serene setting of the Hunter Valley, Invermien Stud is now officially off the market, after being purchased by the Altomonte Family.

One of Scone’s most outstanding holdings has sold following a successful expression of interest campaign.

The Altomonte Family owns Corumbene Stud, Dunedoo, one of the longstanding and most successful thoroughbred studs in New South Wales.

Chief Executive Officer of Inglis Rural Property, Sam Triggs, said: “The sale campaign was a good litmus test for the rural property market in the Scone district, it offered outstanding irrigation flats and well-drained low slopes, ideal for horses, along with significant irrigation entitlements and an impressive Federation homestead and associated outbuildings.

“Demand for high-quality studs in the Hunter Valley is reflective of the general thoroughbred market with quality being the key. We are seeing this trend across the broader rural property market with well positioned, high quality assets, attracting strong interest.”

Having been listed for public sale in mid-September, it was the first time the commanding property had been on the market in over a decade, with the last recorded transaction taking place in October 2012.

Invermien is located on the edge of Scone township and commands approximately 381 hectares (943 acres) of fertile country with extensive working infrastructure and improvements, reliable irrigation and a rich history, right next to the historic Bhima Stud owned by Mike and Kate Fleming.

It is within close proximity to Australia’s major studs and only 287 kilometres from Sydney, via the Hunter Expressway.

The property ranges from highly productive heavy black river flats, ideal for intensive hay or fodder production to gently undulating fertile red clay rises ideal for equine and cattle production.

Water and irrigation infrastructure is one of the significant highlights of the property, with 5.5 kilometres of frontage to the Kingdon Ponds, Pastons and Middle Brook Creek plus an 803mm water license.

Spacious facilities and ideal conditions for raising livestock are complemented by marvellous architecture, including an iconic six-bedroom colonial style homestead and courthouse built circa 1825. During this era, Invermien was the location of the first settled cottage of the region along with the original courthouse and jail/coach house of Scone.

Improvements also include an original three-bedroom manager’s cottage, two bedroom cottage, two stables, hayshed, machinery shed, workshop, storage shed and steel cattle yards.

Operated as a mixed farming and equine operation, ‘Invermien’ has been continually developed and maintained to exceptional standards by the current owners Duncan and Jill Macintyre allowing it to enjoy a diverse income stream.

The purchase is a significant one for the Altomonte family, who already boast the impressive Corumbene stud in their portfolio. Corumbene, which was established in 1980, currently offers Group 2-winner Standout at the Dunedoo property.