McEvoy-Mitchell Racing to close historic Adelaide stable
An era in South Australian racing has ended with six-time champion Adelaide trainer Tony McEvoy announcing the closure of his historic Kildalton Park base at Angaston, the former revolutionary Lindsay Park complex established by Colin Hayes.
McEvoy, a former head trainer for Lindsay Park after following on from the Hayes dynasty of Colin and sons Peter and David, bought the Barossa Valley property from the Hayes family with his business partner Wayne Mitchell in 2010.
But having trained out of two interstate bases for several years – the last two in partnership with son Calvin – McEvoy on Tuesday announced his stable would consolidate its operation to centre solely on its Ballarat yard, in the latest high profile move out of South Australian racing.
McEvoy, whose stable has 155 horses on its books, said the move was an emotional but practical decision, with he and wife Jo having had a 40-year connection to the Angaston property.
“It has been a wonderful 12 years, but life is all about change, and I look forward to the next chapter,” McEvoy said in a press release.
“Jo and I love the Barossa Valley, but the reality is we need to now find a new home in Ballarat.
“The fantastic opportunities offered by Victorian racing, with its prize-money and Super VOBIS scheme, are too good to pass up.”
Mitchell said Kildalton Park – which has been on the market since last June – would cease operations after the Adelaide autumn carnival.
“It is not a decision we have taken lightly, or made overnight,” Mitchell said.
“There has been a lot of money invested into the new Ballarat stable and it is imperative to keep the winners coming.
“It is a business decision to close Kildalton Park.
“The stable will still have a regular presence in South Australian racing, it is just the horse will be floated from Ballarat instead of Angaston.”
The decision represents another key defection from South Australia to Victoria, with the move east having been undertaken by other leading industry figures in recent years, including Philip Stokes, jockey Jamie Kah, and the Hayes family themselves.
Patriarch Colin trod a new path for Australian trainers by setting up Lindsay Park in 1965, inspired by seeing similar set-ups in the UK. The famous farm has been home to some of the greats of Australian racing over five decades, including Dulcify (Decies), Special (Habituate), Zabeel (Sir Tristram) and At Talaq (Roberto).
With 600 metres of Murray River frontage, the 108-acre Kildalton Park has features including a 1200-metre sand track, a 3,000-metre trotting trail and 12 undercover stables.
The McEvoy stable celebrated Adelaide training premierships in 2012, 2013 and the past four seasons.