Queensland-based Archer Park sells for $6 million
World-renowned equestrian Ashlie Waters will transition into the thoroughbred industry after she purchased state-of-the-art Queensland spelling and pre-training facility Archer Park for $6 million yesterday.
Archer Park, which went to auction at the Woodford Hotel in a sale handled by Donovan and Co’s Clint Donovan and Magic Millions, bought the property to allow her to take on the business as a going concern.
It was placed on the market last month by its five partners, headed by Bundaberg petroleum businessman Chris Wessel and accountant Mark McLean, to dissolve a partnership as some investors in the property wanted to undertake their thoroughbred racing portfolio independently.
“It was bittersweet for the vendors but they are very happy for the new owners. Ashlie is a world-renowned and world-class dressage competitor and she sees an opportunity with Archer Park to implement a lot of the things that she’s learnt into the pre-training and she is also a strong rehabilitation and horse husbandry advocate,” Donovan told ANZ Bloodstock News yesterday.
“She wants to slip into the bloodstock industry and the racing game to provide an extra level of service coupled with her experience with the dressage and schooling of horses.
“Archer Park will be run as is and they would love to keep the current clientele and look forward to welcoming new ones.”
The two-title Archer Park, comprising 48 acres with river frontage at Stanmore, is 50 minutes from Brisbane and 40 minutes to Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast. It has 36 boxes, a six-bay water walker, walker, sand roll and round yard and 18 spelling paddocks as well as treatment facilities that include an equine therapy salt room.
The nearby spelling facility of 41 acres has 13 large spelling paddocks and day yards as well as a machinery shed and a three-bedroom brick home with an office and a two-bedroom cottage.
The main pre-training property features a three-bedroom Balinese-stye home with an office and a swimming pool.
Donovan indicated that there was strong competition from a number of racing industry investors which led to an opening bid of $5 million before going up in $100,000 increments.
“It is wonderful from everyone’s point of view that there’s some new players in the game, new people in the thoroughbred industry and they’re very excited to get involved in the racing game,” Donovan said.
“Ashlie being a world-class competitor and very competent horsewoman is going to add another dimension to the pre-training game.”