THERE’S been movement at the station at “Richmond Grove” - the beloved thoroughbred property of former mining magnate Nathan Tinkler.
After some months on the market the flagship property of the “Patinack Farm” empire is the subject of a fresh marketing campaign headed by Sydney-based rural property agents Meares and Associates.
The 1042 hectare property at Sandy Hollow has been separated from adjoining properties Primrose (154ha) and “Clearview” (141ha). All three properties are listed for sale with Chris Meares’ firm.
Due to the amount of interest around the property the agency will hold an open day on May 15.
Mr Meares said the public is welcome to attend and enjoy a guided tour around the farm and a casual walk through the stud buildings.
“We have had many inquiries from people wanting to know more about the stud farm so it has been decided to give everyone the opportunity to visit before they are submitted for sale," Mr Meares said.
“Patinack Farm” acquired seven adjoining farms between August 2008 and December 2011. The acquisitions included “Swettenham”, together with the well known “Richmond Grove” which adjoins “Cherwell”. The investors also purchased the two vineyards of Sandy Hollow and Giant’s Creek and the small farms of “Clearview” and “Primrose”. These properties totaled 1,337ha (3305 acres) of land complete with an 8.5 kilometre frontage to the Goulburn River.
With its significant water entitlements of 3,693 megalitre of underground and river water licenses, the investor set about establishing a “state of the art” thoroughbred stud operation to house 300 to 500 mares, plus weanlings. The property has carried up to 960 mares at one stage.
The operation was built to include an equine hospital, two brood mare barns, separate weaning and serving barns, as well as a foaling complex. Two quarantine areas were also constructed.
The headquarters of the stud farm is the four bedroom brick homestead, set on a rise with views across the Goulburn River. There are 12 other staff houses across the farm and as well as a six bedroom bungalow complex.
Chris Meares said he had been instructed to sell the property.
“When one considers that it cost Patinack Farm in the vicinity of $25 million to acquire the seven adjoining farms and develop the stud farm to the level it is today it is easy to see that someone is going to buy all this infrastructure at way under replacement cost,” he said.
The properties are for sale by expression of interest. Applications close June 22.