Right in the heart of the Mudgee Region of New South Wales is spectacular Gooree Park, the biggest vineyard in the area and home of Australian thoroughbred champion racehorses.
Clearly, Gooree is not your regular country estate, its Cellar Door boasts a range of award winning wines, three of them named for champions of the racetrack born and bred at the Park.
Gooree Park was established by Lloyd Foyster in 1963 as a thoroughbred horse stud where he bred multiple group one winners including Ming Dynasty and Mighty Kingdom – winners of three Caulfield Cups in four years. Lloyd built a dam with a three mile circumference and a world class racecourse with a longer straight than Randwick where he trained his horses. He later sold the property to the Cojuanco family, who own the property today.
There is much for visitors to Gooree Park to see and do, and the best way to get the experience is to jump aboard their tour bus and soak up all the information your knowledgeable guide has to tell. They can even arrange a tour including lunch (and of course you can buy a bottle of something nice to go with it). With over 300 horses taking part in the breeding and training programmes each year you are guaranteed to meet a past – or future – race-winner.
On a trip, Lyndey Milan joined a tour with some of the locals – take a look at what she discovered.
This is just one of many events held at Gooree Park. Throughout the year you can also experience:
- High Tea in the Stables
- Bubbly Breakfast at the Track
- Wine and Wagyu BBQ
- Melbourne Cup at Gooree Park
Get more information on Gooree Park and to book tickets for this and other events go to http://www.gooreepark.com/