A new chapter for Crown Lodge: Godolphin’s historic base to be sold

Cover image courtesy of Crown Lodge

With Godolphin transferring its racehorses to public trainers this season, attention has turned to what comes next for Crown Lodge. Since the move away from a private training model on 1 August, speculation has been mounting over who will assume control of one of Sydney’s most prestigious and historically significant training bases.

Industry talk has resurfaced with suggestions that Crown Lodge at Warwick Farm, one of Australia’s most prestigious racing properties, could soon change hands.

Donovan & Co., in partnership with Magic Millions, is overseeing the process, with agent Clint Donovan stating he is “managing enquiries.”

Who could be next to own Crown Lodge?

Speculation is swirling over who might take over Crown Lodge. Could it be Yulong Investments, extending their rapid growth and strengthening their Sydney footprint?

Or could history repeat itself - with Debbie Kepitis, daughter of Bob Ingham and niece of Jack, seeing a chance to return the famed stable to the family that built its legacy and dominated Australian racing from those very grounds?

Racing NSW has acquired several properties in recent years to lease back to metropolitan trainers, and could be set to add another to the portfolio. Other potential buyers could possibly be Lindsay Park seeking a stronger Sydney foothold, or Champion trainer Chris Waller. Perhaps it could be an option for Ciaron Maher, who continues to expand. New Zealand’s Te Akau operation, now with a Cranbourne base, could see Crown Lodge as a Sydney hub for their Autumn raids or a strong Sydney base.

One thing is certain: the 125-box facility, steeped in history, consistent success and prestige, will be a valuable asset for any racing buyer.

However, there is also a chance Crown Lodge may be purchased by a non-racing entity, with the area around Warwick Farm Racecourse being considered for industrial rezoning.

A valuable asset for Godolphin

The potential sale of Crown Lodge could deliver a timely financial boost for Godolphin. According to an article in Wednesday's edition of the Australian Financial Review, Godolphin reported a $27.3 million loss for the most recent financial year - a swing of almost $67 million from the profit recorded in 2023.

The decline reflects several contributing factors. Fewer runners and top-level results saw prize-money earnings drop by $12.6 million, while stallion nominations fell 44 per cent to $21.8 million. The latter reflects a changing of the guard following the retirement of long-time sires Exceed And Excel and Lonhro.

Like all major studs, Godolphin’s financials ebb and flow with stallion cycles and service fee trends. The arrival of new sires and the rise or fall of established ones can significantly influence annual figures.

There is, however, reason for optimism heading into the next season. Anamoe continues to command strong demand in his third year at stud, standing at a slightly reduced fee of $121,000 (inc. GST). Broadsiding begins his first season at $66,000 (inc. GST) after graduating from Godolphin’s own racing ranks, while Too Darn Hot (GB) returns at a premium fee of $275,000 (inc. GST) after a break from shuttling duties.

After a challenging year, the potential windfall from Crown Lodge would provide a welcome addition to the balance sheet and help underpin a new phase of growth for the global breeding powerhouse.

The history of Crown Lodge

Built in 1987 by Bob and Jack Ingham, Crown Lodge initially housed trainer Vic Thompson until 1991/92, before John Hawkes took over until 2007. Over the years, the stables produced countless champions for the Inghams in their famous cerise colours, including the racetrack stars and stallions Octagonal and Lonhro, who won a combined 21 Group 1 races between them.

Since Godolphin acquired the property, trainers Peter Snowden, John O’Shea, and James Cummings have operated from the base.

Peter Snowden trained more than 1300 winners for Godolphin - or Darley as the racing arm was known then - including 29 at Group 1 level. Some of the standouts were the outstanding 2-year-old Sepoy, Helmet, Guelph (Exceed And Excel), and Earthquake (Exceed And Excel).

John O'Shea trained 10 group 1 winners for Godolphin during his three years in charge, headlined by back-to-back Group 1 victories in the 'stallion making' Golden Rose with Exosphere and Astern.

Since taking over Godolphin’s Australian operation in 2017, Cummings has trained over 50 Group 1 winners, all having spent time at Crown Lodge, including Anamoe, In Secret (I Am Invincible), Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {GB}), Bivouac, and Colette (Hallowed Crown).

Through the eyes of Trevor Lobb

Trevor Lobb was part of Crown Lodge at its very beginnings, overseeing the refurbishment of what would become one of Australia’s most iconic racing stables. His memories stretch from the earliest design plans to some of the most thrilling moments in Australian racing.

“I was general manager for the Inghams when we started back in 1986, and the decision was made to purchase the stables that were there,” Lobb explained.

“I was part of the group that instigated it and purchased the property, and we had it designed and built. There were stables there, but we mainly had to alter them all. One block stayed and is still there near the front gates. With 130 boxes, we needed more space, it was very much state-of-the-art.

“On today’s prices, we were very lucky to have built it then. At the same time we were building Woodlands, it all went hand in hand.”

When asked about some of the specifics regarding the build and design of the stables, Lobb explained:

“The designers had designed stables before, they’d done a number of properties and the Ingham enterprises had our own design section. They were mostly building sheds - chicken sheds, but they had involvement, and then the builders had a lot to do.

“Vic Thompson put an awful lot of time into it with designing the size of the boxes. Everybody worked on it - it came to fruition as a team effort.”

One thing Lobb and Woodlands were known for was being pioneers in developing large-scale stables, something that has since somewhat become the norm. But at the time, Crown Lodge was considered enormous.

“Stables have got bigger and bigger, and in a sense what we built was the starting point of big stables,” Lobb said.

“We had 50 in Brisbane, 50 in Melbourne, 20 in Adelaide and 100-odd in Sydney. When we first spoke about starting, we bought the property and thought we’d have a few horses and a bit of fun. That changed within weeks and away we went. The excitement of it was unbelievable.”

A past full of memories

When asked to reflect on some of his best memories from his time at Crown Lodge, it was clear to Lobb that it was all about the horses and the people.

“We had great staff throughout the whole operation. Whether it was at Crown Lodge or in Melbourne. Jack and Bob were horse lovers; everything was done for the benefit of the horse. Winning. It didn’t matter if it was at Hawkesbury or a Group 1, Jack would have the same excitement to see those horses win, especially the homebreds. That was where they got the biggest thrill.

“Lonhro was the pinnacle, a homebred by a sire that we bought and raced. All those good horses gave them enjoyment and the love of it. They’d started with their father having an interest in horses; it was love throughout.”

The Woodlands operation was hugely successful, including more than 40 Group 1 events. Lobb reflected on some of the highlights:

“Between 1987 and 2008, we’d won in excess of 5,400 races, nearly 170 individual stakes wins, and over 40 Group 1 events and $130 million (in prizemoney). The horses that meant a lot to all of us - Octagonal, Lonhro, they were the people’s horses.

“People would stand along the fence at Rosehill whenever they raced. Their wins and what they did were the pinnacles of Australian racing. There haven’t been too many stallions in recent years who have gone close to that. The boys loved racing, a lot of those horses wouldn’t race today.

“To win 26 races and 11 Group 1s, and then go on to be a Champion sire. There are the things that I look back at; to be part of that is something I couldn’t have dreamed of as a child loving horses.

“You still see a lot of the Woodlands families being sought after, from Woodlands through to Darley or Godolphin as it is now. It’s been a major part of my life. Horses like that - Freemason, the jockeys, Shane Dye, Darren Beadman, Darren Gauci, everyone had a part in it. Rodney Quinn was a great stalwart for us.”

When asked to comment on a few other of the top horses that he was involved with, Lobb continued to list of names of Australian legends.

“Freemason was such a great horse. When he beat Northerly, it was the last day Jack was at the racecourse. We didn’t think he would’ve won, but he did it for us all that day. The Cox Plate, sitting under the stand, watching it on the television, because there was that big a crowd that you could get out to watch it.

“Octagonal in the Derby, beating a massive field. The Guineas win by Crown Jester was the first real stallion we brought back onto Woodlands. Unworldly was another one - we lost her in a track accident, but you don’t know what she might have been.

“We had three trainers in all those years. Vic Thompson trained Group 1 winners for us, Johnny Hawkes, and then Peter was still there when it was sold, and went on with Darley with me for a number of years. It was just a dream come true.”

Snowden: 'A great time'

Peter Snowden was Godolphin’s first private trainer at Crown Lodge, overseeing the property for six years before going into partnership with his son, Paul. His association with Crown Lodge goes much further back, spanning more than 20 years, as he worked for both Woodlands trainers Vic Thompson and John Hawkes.

“Gee, it was a great time, I had some good memories there. It would take a while to go through them all,” Snowden said.

“The day we beat Northerly with a horse called Freemason, that was a fantastic day. He was about 33/1, won a Derby and was a very good horse. We had Octagonal, Lonhro, Clang, Strategic, a lot of good horses over the years. Lonhro winning the Australian Cup at his second-last start, that was a spine-chilling win.

“They had a horse called Holy Roller, who was the biggest horse I’ve seen in my life. About 18hh, he was huge. We used draught horse shoes on him and they had to make a barrier extension for him. The girl who looked after him only came up to his brands. He was massive, and the quietest horse you’ve ever seen. Lucky, because he’d have killed someone if he wasn’t a gentle giant, and he won about 12 races too.

“I was there for 20-odd years. It was a great learning curve, I met some fantastic people. The Ingham brothers were fantastic. Vic Thompson was there when I first started, then John Hawkes. It was a long apprenticeship before I took over. A fantastic time of my life.”