Willinga Park, the purpose built 1000-hectare equine estate created by the late billionaire Terry Snow, is on the market.
The property at Bawley Point on the NSW South Coast is one of Australia’s most impressive equestrian facilities with Olympic standard arenas, its own veterinary hospital and outstanding stabling facilities. It has hosted FEI competitions in dressage, showjumping and eventing as well as the Ringers Western Gold Buckle Campdraft Championship.
Terry and his wife Ginette were also instrumental in keeping the now four-time Adelaide CCI5* winner, Willingapark Clifford with his rider Hazel Shannon; after their first success at 5* level, Clifford was put on the market by his then owner when Terry stepped in so that he could remain with Hazel. The rest is history.
As well as the architecturally designed equine facilities, Willinga Park comes with a 300-guest conference hall, a 55-seat restaurant, multiple two- and four-bedroom luxury accommodation pavilions, a pool and gym. The surrounding landscape features sculptures by well-known artists, with some used as highlights on the cross country course which was last used in 2023, when Shane Rose riding Easy Turn won the CCI4*.
The Australian Financial Review says that "While there is no set price guide given its unique nature, replacement cost is estimated to be about $430 million, with expectations serious offers would land north of $200 million If the buyer is Australian, there is $230 million of tax-deductible depreciation available"
Ken Jacobs of Forbes Global Properties, one of the agents handling the sale, says “The net for buyers will be cast wide, spanning the equine world, hospitality and resorts, or even billionaires seeking a thought-leadership venue.
“We are pressing into the global equestrian sector, and we have had early nibbles from the American equestrian and ranch set, but we are also looking at large hospitality groups because it has so much infrastructure”
Because of the world-class veterinary facilities, the property will also be marketed to the thoroughbred racing industry, hence the timing of the announcement to coincide with the Spring Racing Carnival.
