Upper Hunter Valley's Bhima, Scone proves its thoroughbred property status
Bhima at Scone has been sold. And Goanna Downs too.
Bhima has had a prominent history within the breeding and racing industry, and within the township itself.
The baton has been handed on to Mike and Kate Fleming of Broadwater Thoroughbreds, Aberdeen.
Bhima Stud, at Scone in the Upper Hunter Valley, was for sale at $5.8 million through Michael Burke of MacCallum Inglis - a prominent thoroughbred breeding farm, Bhima was developed into a renowned horse property after World War II by Vivian Bath.
On the town’s outskirts, Bhima occupies 160 hectares.
Its showpiece is an historic circa 1910 homestead with 4.8 metre high pressed metal ceilings.
Meanwhile the Hutchins family, a well-known family within the racing industry from Queensland looking to set up a broodmare base in the Upper Hunter, has recently snapped up Goanna Downs from the Dillon family post auction.
The two property sales in as many months has reinforced the status of Scone, and the Upper Hunter Valley as the premier location in NSW for thoroughbred properties, according to MacCallum Inglis property agent Michael Burke.
Michael Burke handled the sale of Bhima and introduced the purchasers to the sale of Goanna Downs.
“The strength of the Scone broodmare property market is underpinned by the ever growing numbers of stallions standing in the Upper Hunter Valley.
"Our proximity to the stallion stations is our competitive advantage - less transport risk, less cost and a central location to the selling centres.
"In addition, the Upper Hunter Shire is coal mine free, with no operating mines in our district”.
“Our agency has seen a rise in the enquiry, and activity rates of interstate, and international buyers looking at the Upper Hunter district and Scone particularly.
"The Australian thoroughbred industry is in such a position of strength and the majority of its’ best stallions stand in this district.
"The local stud property market is well and truly back on its feet post GFC, and these sales are testament of this."
Michael Burke said an exciting new chapter will now open in the rich history of Bhima.
"Steeped in success, the property has been under the stewardship of the White family over the last 21 years and boasts an extensive honours list that would make any breeder proud," he said.
