Robert and Sylvie Crabtree, who operate as Dorrington Farm, are moving into Wood Nook Farm nestled on the Goulburn River at Nagambie.
The move comes off the back of the Crabtrees having recently sold their Hastings property on the Mornington Peninsula. The Crabtrees will keep the name Dorrington Farm.
Wood Nook, developed extensively by former Moonee Valley Race Club Chairman Bob Scarborough and his wife Rosemary, has produced no less than twelve Group 1 winners. Wood Nook bred stars included the likes ofFinal Card, Gallica, Gold Ace, Hit the Roof, Leica Guv, Light Fantastic, Marble Halls, Sleek Chassis and Stella Cadente.
The 122 hectare property includes a lovingly restored 1870's homestead and stately gardens developed by the Scarboroughs since they bought the farm in 1994.
Wood Nook has been a thoroughbred nursery for more than six decades. Known originally as The Nook Stud, it was owned by former Test cricketer Jack 'Slinger' Nitschke. In these early years it stood a number of stallions including Latin Lover (sire of Rain Lover), High Peak Orgoglio and Brave Lad.
The extensive equine infrastructure includes 45 paddocks, a modern 692 square metre stable complex, a 160 square metre veterinary facility, 23 loose box stables and numerous horse shelters and foaling boxes.
"It is a bit nostalgic having sold the property, but we are thrilled the Crabtrees have bought it," Bob Scarborough said.
"Rob is the 'perfect purchaser' of Wood Nook in that his breeding operation is of a similar scale to ours and operates at the pointy end of the market with some really lovely mares."
Crabtree said that Wood Nook is a beautiful property which is well laid out for horses.
"The Scarboroughs and Bob Norris did an excellent job of setting out the property, and I'm happy to take it through its next foray into breeding history.
"I liked that it has had a good freshen up without stock on the land for the last couple of years and, along with the extra room, well-developed pastures, large established shade trees and excellent water – it's a very good horse property."
The Dorrington Farm broodmare band of a couple of dozen has already relocated to the picturesque Nagambie acreage, and although the matings for his mares for the upcoming season are not confirmed at this stage, they are in the perfect central location to walk onto nearby Victorian studs.
Crabtree has established the respected Dorrington Farm brand over the past two and a half decades which has included a period as TBV President.
Among many other breeding feats, Crabtree can lay claim to having bred Helsinge, the dam of Black Caviar, through his blue-hen broodmare Scandinavia.
Scandinavia is also the dam of the Crabtree bred and owned Magnus, one of
Victoria's best performing stallions who stands at Sun Stud. He is a prolific
producer of winners right around Australia particularly at the elite level.The Crabtrees have also been having quite the time recently with a number of their fillies and mares on the race track.
This year's Blue Diamond winner Catchy races for Dorrington Farm, as does Oakleigh Plate winner Sheidel and the consistent Group 3 winning mare Miss Promiscuity.
Crabtree is in no hurry to retire his mares, as he loves to race them, and although they will join the broodmare band one day, he insists he can have the best of both worlds, enjoying the fun on the track with them beforehand.
Star juvenile filly Catchy will be aimed at the Group 1 Thousand Guineas this coming spring while Sheidel's immediate career is yet to be decided.
Having often been heard to say that nothing is more important than your children or grandchildren, Crabtree likens the joy generated by breeding and racing thoroughbreds as "another level of family''.
"It's a great feeling of satisfaction when you can continue the generations — the grandmothers, mothers and the horses on the track. It's not just a business. It's a business with a passion."
Meanwhile the Scarboroughs, having sold Wood Nook, haven't removed themselves entirely from racing and breeding.
They still race the odd one in Australia including recent Bairnsdale maiden winner Barchetta. The Ciaron Maher trained homebred filly is out of the Scarborough's Group 1 Blue Diamond winner Sleek Chassis. Bob and Rosemary also maintain an interest in a small number of broodmares in Ireland and France.
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