ONE of Tamworth’s finest equine properties, Cavallino Estate, has hit the market, making way for a Quarter Horse enthusiast (or two) to nab themselves a specially modified complex.
The estate (formerly Orange Grove Thoroughbreds) was purchased by Perth business people John and Zhana Di Candilo in 2013. Their daughter, Paula Balgera, is a national Quarter Horse champion and the Di Candilos bought the property to house and train her team of show horses.
“I’ve always loved Tamworth and knew I wanted to buy a property there one day. We had a place in Victoria and when it didn’t work out we relocated to Tamworth,” Mr Di Candilo said.
The Di Candilos are selling to concentrate on competitions closer to home.
“We’re changing direction but we’ve absolutely loved our time in Tamworth.”
The estate is spread over 120 hectares and is located 14 kilometres from Tamworth and just 6km from the Australian Equine and Livestock Exhibition Centre.
During their ownership they carried out multiple improvements to transform the property from a thoroughbred complex.
The main investment was the construction of a 60 metre by 20m indoor arena.
“It is now suitable for dressage, too,” he said.
A homestead was also built to accompany the trainer’s quarters and a small cottage. Other tweaks were made to suit the Quarter Horses.
“Quarter Horses don’t need as much room to roam so we made the paddocks smaller; we installed light-emitting diodes (LED) lighting to keep the horses’ coats shining and added some foaling yards,” he said.
“All the improvements were carried out by local tradespeople who were fantastic.”
Cavallino Estate is fenced into 28 main paddocks and 16 yards. It has a generously proportioned 12 box stable barn with an eight-horse electric walker and an outdoor arena.
The paddocks are irrigated and are sown to pasture. Mares and foals are regularly agisted.
The Di Candilos aren’t saying goodbye to Tamworth all together.
“We might look to buy in the Tamworth district again when the grandchildren are older because the equestrian centre there is unbelievable.”
The property is for sale via private treaty for $4.2 million.
Michael Burke, McCallum Inglis, Sydney; and Terry and Simon Burke, Burke and Smyth, Tamworth, have teamed up to market the property.
