SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 13 May 2008 - Darley and Inghams Enterprises announced today that the Foreign Investment Review Board has approved Darley’s purchase of Woodlands.
Consequently the sale will be completed by 16 May 2008.
Horses previously running in the cerise colours of the Woodlands Stud Syndicate will from that time on race in Sheikh Mohammed’s ownership and racing colours, which are maroon and white.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said “I am delighted to be making this commitment to Australian racing, to people who share my passion for thoroughbreds. I welcome the team from Woodlands and look forward to developing the champions of the future.”
The outgoing owner of Woodlands, Bob Ingham said “It has been a pleasure working with the dedicated people at Woodlands Stud and Crown Lodge. I thank them dearly for the wonderful job they have done over many years. I wish Sheikh Mohammed every success in the future.”
ABOUT DARLEY IN AUSTRALIA
Darley is HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's global thoroughbred breeding operation.
Darley currently operates thoroughbred stud farms in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States of America, Japan and Australia. Darley’s Australian farms are located at Aberdeen in New South Wales and Seymour in Victoria.
Darley currently employs around 100 people in Australia and was established here in 2001.
ABOUT WOODLANDS STUD
Woodlands Stud is based at Denman in the Hunter Valley and was purchased by Darley in May 2008 from Inghams Enterprises. Woodlands operations span the property at Denman along with another stud farm at Cootamundra. In addition there are training stables at Warwick Farm in Sydney and Flemington in Melbourne, as well as two pre-trainingcentreson the outskirts of Sydney.
There are currently approximately 230 people employed by Woodlands, all of whom will now work for Sheikh Mohammed and Darley.
Additional comments attributable to John Ferguson, Bloodstock Advisor to Sheikh Mohammed:
- “When we entered into the deal we knew we were buying some wonderful properties and some fantastic bloodstock. What has become clear to us in the last few weeks is that the greatest asset that Woodlands has is its people.”
Additional comments attributable to Oliver Tait, General Manager – Darley Australia:
- “Woodlands Stud has been the leading owner breeder in Australia for many years. They set up over 25 years ago and we are very excited to be able to complement Darley’s operations with the wonderful people, history and horses of Woodlands.”
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