Signature Property - Leisurely Park

Story from the March 2019 Horse Deals magazine.

Leisurely Park, Dromana, is the latest incarnation of an historic Mornington Peninsula property. Originally 800 acres, the property started life as a berry orchard and exotic tree nursery which accounts for the beautiful English trees, including an oak that is over 130 years old. Under the name, Glen Appin Stud, the Dromana property was the first to stand multiple Thoroughbred stallions says Farm Manager and keen jumping rider, Darren Godfrey. Horses like Voodoo Rhythm, Full On Aces, Bending Away and Reckless stood there. Glen Appin then became Delamere Stud that stood the likes of 1986 Melbourne Cup winner At Talaq and 1993 Caulfield Cup winner, Fraar.

Frankston car dealer, Gary Lechte owned Delamere for 20 years and in 2010 sold the property to V8 Supercars team owner, Rod Nash who was more in to horse power than horses, but the beautiful 1930s mansion on the property offered a luxurious lifestyle. Nash sold Delamere in 2016.

“A Chinese business family bought the now 103 acre property and renamed it Leisurely Park”, says Darren, “they wanted a good lifestyle and to live on the Peninsula. They also had the desire to own an equestrian property, but were not interested in racing. They live here permanently and travel back and forth to China. I managed another Thoroughbred Farm in the area for ten years and this used to be our overflow property; all our weaners would grow up here. I was talking to the owners here saying that if I ever had the money, I would buy the property and turn it in to a performance training centre where people could come and hold clinics or train. They asked what that would take to establish, I told them and they agreed to do it and asked me if I would manage the operation.

“We now have four arenas; an indoor, 35 x 75m with a Martin Collins surface and overhead sprinklers, a 30m x 50m outdoor with a Tri Mix sand surface, a couch grass riding and jumping arena and a 20m x 60m dirt surface. We are well under way with clinics having hosted Vicki Roycroft, Chris Chugg, Jessica Greelish (dressage) and there are more to come, including a George Morris clinic in May. We have five agistees, mostly eventing and jumping people. We don’t do a lot of agistment, as this place is purely set up for clinics and training. A lot of instructors have permanent bookings and come and do all their coaching here.

“We have three staff, me, a part timer that comes three days a week and a gardener. I have six horses here and the farm has two horses, an off the tracker, Riot Man that was in Jump Off and the owner has a Warmblood mare that he rides, as well as 20 cattle that help with pasture management.”

Fortunately for the Melbourne and Peninsula riding community the meeting of Darren and the new owners of this iconic property has resulted in a wonderful riding and training facility.

Photos: Julie Wilson. Story: Anna Sharpley.

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