December 23, 2015, heralded a new era for Gainsborough Lodge, one of the most established thoroughbred studs of Queensland's racing and breeding fraternity.
Principal Melinda Richards and her close-knit
management team formally revealed the new branding of the iconic Toowoomba
breeding and racing concern first put on the map by Alfred Grant in the early
1970s, and then subsequently run with great distinction by Col Richards from
1991 until his passing earlier this year.
Determined to uphold the reputation of her father's 50-year commitment to the thoroughbred industry of the Sunshine State, Melinda Richards has prepared a new business plan for Gainsborough Lodge, re-launching the property with her own stamp and committing to some unfinished business left uncompleted by her beloved late father.
"Dad was planning to re-establish a presence in Toowoomba and I am following through on his wishes," Melinda reasserted at a launch that took place on the farm yesterday. "I want to play an active role within the Toowoomba community by creating jobs and contributing to growth in the region."
Melinda's father Col left a sizeable imprint on Queensland thoroughbred racing and breeding. His substantial involvement saw him as the driving force behind Rosemount Farm in the eighties, as well as a founding member of the Magic Millions Sales company in its infancy.
The same decade also witnessed Col Richards enjoying his first major Group 1 success as an owner when Hooplahannah carried his green and orange racing colours to victory in the 1983 STC Rosemount Wines Classic, a coveted event better known as the ATC Coolmore Classic these days.
Richards subsequently acquired Gainsborough Lodge and made it his bloodstock headquarters for close on 25 years, while also proving to be the major supporter of Brisbane Bloodstock Sales for more than a decade.
The name of Col Richards will also inevitably be associated with the dual Group 1 winning racehorse Oliver Twist. A son of the former Gainsborough Lodge resident stallion Alex Nureyev (USA), this top-class galloper won a series of black-type events across Australia during a 46-start career that netted $1.3 million in prizemoney. Most notably, the gelding's 14 wins, eight seconds and five thirds included victories in the VRC LKS Mackinnon Stakes (G1) and VATC Underwood Stakes (G1), as well as the VRC Blamey Stakes (G2) and VATC Coongy Handicap (G3).
The next chapter in Gainsborough Lodge's proud history begins at the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where the stud is set to present a quality daughter of Sebring due to be offered during the opening session.
Catalogued as Lot 48, the filly is the seventh foal of Basamaat (Ire), an unraced daughter of the incomparable Danehill already responsible for four individual winners including Mr Big, the Champion 2YO of Singapore in 2011.
