We left Cowra with mixed feelings. We had enjoyed a delightful two days in this very picturesque and interesting town, but now it was off to Mudgee to join a group of eastern states friends for a week of 'conviviality' (for that read what ever you will) centred on the Mudgee Races, which were to be run on Sunday May 5.
As I mentioned previously, this plan had been hatched in October last year as this same group sat around a table at the Shellharbour Hotel. A direct upshot of this discussion was that as soon as Liz and I had returned to Adelaide we became members of the Gooree Park Wine Club. Gooree Park is an establishment of some note in the Mudgee region which produces wine, thoroughbred horses and waygu beef. One of the benefits of this membership was that it gave us entre to the Gooree Park hospitality marquee on race day. This, accordingly to our social secretary, Pete Tansell (one of a group of retired Qantas skippers I have known for many years) was the only place to be on May 5. But more of that later.
Our route from Cowra took us through Bathurst and over the somewhat challenging climb through Peel and Sofala before we descended the range which overlooks Mudgee itself. The cloak of autumn provided some wonderful sights as we made our way eastwards.
The tourist blurb relating to Mudgee quotes the National Trust as saying that the town boasts "one of the finest groups of townscape in a country area", a bold assertion in our view. More of the town itself and the area later. It was time to start partying with friends old and new.
On the day of our arrival, Pete had arranged a late afternoon visit to the nearby vineyards of Rosby Wines. This is an establishment with no cellar door, but as a loyal customer of some years, Pete was able to arrange a private tasting in very rustic mud brick tasting shed
.
which overlooked the vineyards below.
Our host presented a fine selection of a rose and two reds, in reidel glasses no less, which more than met the approval of many in our happy little band, which included a couple of serious wine connoisseurs.
This is not a claim Liz and I can make with a clear conscience (like our art, we know what we like) but we did our bit!
Given the number of cartons transferred from our host's ute to the varying vehicles of our group, I think he would have been well satisfied with his efforts for the afternoon. What an interesting start to our Mudgee visit.
Not content to rest on his laurels, Pete had also arranged a visit the following morning to the Gooree Park stud, where our guided tour of this most impressive thoroughbred horse breeding establishment was to include breakfast overlooking the training track. I had previously booked the Cruiser in for a service that morning, but was persuaded that I should alter these arrangements. I was very glad to have done so. Given the proposed departure time of 0630 hours, we all turned in early.
And what a morning we had. The stud farm and associated infrastructure is staggering. Over 180 breeding mares and their mates and progeny are managed by a staff of over fifty including our tour hostess Vicki, who lives on the property and displayed the most prodigious knowledge of the tens and tens of colts and fillies we saw including their bloodline histories. Mind you, given that one of her roles is that of horsie 'midwife', she has a more than close association with the youngsters on the property.
This is part of a new stable complex on the property (around which we were driven in a mini-bus..it really is big). In that this is only one wing, some idea of the size may be gained. Horses bred here are broken and receive limited track training before being either sold to other breeders and owners or sent off to trainers of the ilk of Gai Waterhouse to further their racing careers. And there is serious money involved.
In this 'working stable' we saw some magnificent animals. That pictured could well demand a price in the millions when sold (I can't remember its bloodline....I'm not too well 'connected'....but I clearly recall being seriously impressed).
Mind you, given the number of staff and the scope of the infrastructure of the place, without such returns it would all fold.
Our tour around the stud took us along many roads between the various yards
Our route from Cowra took us through Bathurst and over the somewhat challenging climb through Peel and Sofala before we descended the range which overlooks Mudgee itself. The cloak of autumn provided some wonderful sights as we made our way eastwards.
The tourist blurb relating to Mudgee quotes the National Trust as saying that the town boasts "one of the finest groups of townscape in a country area", a bold assertion in our view. More of the town itself and the area later. It was time to start partying with friends old and new.
On the day of our arrival, Pete had arranged a late afternoon visit to the nearby vineyards of Rosby Wines. This is an establishment with no cellar door, but as a loyal customer of some years, Pete was able to arrange a private tasting in very rustic mud brick tasting shed
.
which overlooked the vineyards below.
Our host presented a fine selection of a rose and two reds, in reidel glasses no less, which more than met the approval of many in our happy little band, which included a couple of serious wine connoisseurs.
This is not a claim Liz and I can make with a clear conscience (like our art, we know what we like) but we did our bit!
Given the number of cartons transferred from our host's ute to the varying vehicles of our group, I think he would have been well satisfied with his efforts for the afternoon. What an interesting start to our Mudgee visit.
Not content to rest on his laurels, Pete had also arranged a visit the following morning to the Gooree Park stud, where our guided tour of this most impressive thoroughbred horse breeding establishment was to include breakfast overlooking the training track. I had previously booked the Cruiser in for a service that morning, but was persuaded that I should alter these arrangements. I was very glad to have done so. Given the proposed departure time of 0630 hours, we all turned in early.
And what a morning we had. The stud farm and associated infrastructure is staggering. Over 180 breeding mares and their mates and progeny are managed by a staff of over fifty including our tour hostess Vicki, who lives on the property and displayed the most prodigious knowledge of the tens and tens of colts and fillies we saw including their bloodline histories. Mind you, given that one of her roles is that of horsie 'midwife', she has a more than close association with the youngsters on the property.
This is part of a new stable complex on the property (around which we were driven in a mini-bus..it really is big). In that this is only one wing, some idea of the size may be gained. Horses bred here are broken and receive limited track training before being either sold to other breeders and owners or sent off to trainers of the ilk of Gai Waterhouse to further their racing careers. And there is serious money involved.
In this 'working stable' we saw some magnificent animals. That pictured could well demand a price in the millions when sold (I can't remember its bloodline....I'm not too well 'connected'....but I clearly recall being seriously impressed).
Mind you, given the number of staff and the scope of the infrastructure of the place, without such returns it would all fold.
Our tour around the stud took us along many roads between the various yards
until we finally arrived at the hill overlooking the training track on which the horses were being worked (the sweep of the bend can be seen in the left middle distance).
where we watched the activities on the track
whilst enjoying the hospitality of a Gooree Park champagne breakfast (what else!)
I must confess to two things at this point. Firstly that this is not the last time you will see Liz and me with a glass in our hands in Mudgee,
and secondly, we were unashamedly unconcerned about what the poor people were doing!
Gooree Park is owned by Eduardo Conjuangco, a Filipino of considerable wealth and clout. He is currently the Chairman of the San Miguel company, the largest food and beverage conglomerate in the Philippines and South-East Asia and has had his fingers in many political and diplomatic pies over the years. He narrowly failed becoming the President of the Philippines in 1992 when Fidel Ramos was elected, and was a close adviser to Ferdinand Marcos during his Presidency.
Trained by Gai Waterhouse, this magnificent gelding won 6 Group 1 races in his career, including the Epsom Handicap twice, and accumulated stake winnings of just over $3 million. Other highlights of his career included being named the Australian Middle Distance Horse of the Year in 2006/7 and NSW Horse of the Year in the same period. Apparently his lion (?) hearted performances on the track won him a legion of fans. Now he keeps and eye on the youngsters (they actually learn good behaviour from the older horses) and scoffs carrots brought to him by Vicki who just dotes on him (as you can see).
I must confess to two things at this point. Firstly that this is not the last time you will see Liz and me with a glass in our hands in Mudgee,
and secondly, we were unashamedly unconcerned about what the poor people were doing!
Gooree Park is owned by Eduardo Conjuangco, a Filipino of considerable wealth and clout. He is currently the Chairman of the San Miguel company, the largest food and beverage conglomerate in the Philippines and South-East Asia and has had his fingers in many political and diplomatic pies over the years. He narrowly failed becoming the President of the Philippines in 1992 when Fidel Ramos was elected, and was a close adviser to Ferdinand Marcos during his Presidency.
Despite his somewhat hectic schedule, he apparently takes a direct and personal interest in the matches (I'm not sure that is appropriate 'horse talk'....but you know what I mean) which are made on the property, which he and his wife visit for some three months of each year.
Our most memorable tour (during which I learnt more about the horse stud industry that I had ever thought possible) ended with an introduction to 'The Warhorse', Desert War, which is now retired and seeing out his days on the stud as a 'grandfather' to many of the young colts and fillies.
Our most memorable tour (during which I learnt more about the horse stud industry that I had ever thought possible) ended with an introduction to 'The Warhorse', Desert War, which is now retired and seeing out his days on the stud as a 'grandfather' to many of the young colts and fillies.
Trained by Gai Waterhouse, this magnificent gelding won 6 Group 1 races in his career, including the Epsom Handicap twice, and accumulated stake winnings of just over $3 million. Other highlights of his career included being named the Australian Middle Distance Horse of the Year in 2006/7 and NSW Horse of the Year in the same period. Apparently his lion (?) hearted performances on the track won him a legion of fans. Now he keeps and eye on the youngsters (they actually learn good behaviour from the older horses) and scoffs carrots brought to him by Vicki who just dotes on him (as you can see).
And so back to the caravan park to await happy hour, a feature of most late afternoons in Mudgee.
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