I met Geoff Guest and Jill Kewish at last year's VRC Derby. It was a superb day - one of my co-owners (in a mare we race in Melbourne) kind enough to make the introduction somewhere between race 4 and 6 ... actually I'm only guessing the time as we were all talking so much, but I do recall that afternoon tea had appeared on the tables and the first shadows had fallen across the track - so I assume it was closer to race 6 than race 2 !

Like most introductions that involve like-minded people, not much was said of non-equine interests (a lot more being said about horses, race meetings and which sales people were attending early in 06). I was therefore delighted to learn this week that Geoff and Jill were actually the successful purchasers of the Vinery pre-training centre just a few weeks after I met them.

The auction of the former Dr Tom Simon owned Australian business took place on Friday 18th of November, 2005.

Located at Longwood near Euroa, one hour and twenty minutes from the centre of Melbourne, the 161 acre property was developed as a specialized thoroughbred training establishment. The facilities at the property include a 1400 metre rubber based track, extensive bridle paths, horse walker, a new equine aqua walker, an array of safe spelling yards, and separated stable complexes.

The property is set up for spelling, breaking-in, pre-training and full training and the farm is located on the Hume Highway, just 30 minutes from Seymour racecourse. Being in close proximity to the Melbourne racetracks and stables the farm is ideally located to have racing horses return to the farm for a brief freshen up both physically and mentally.

When the property went up for sale last year Peter Orton, Vinery's General Manager said "The pretraining complex at the Euroa Farm has played an intricate role in the management and development of the Vinery Racing team during the period of Dr Tom Simon's ownership. The complex with the expert team we have on hand has allowed us to manage the careers and development of our young horses to become one of Australia's most successful racing teams."

Geoff is not a horseman by career; rather his professional expertise lies in the accounting arena - his company (Count Financial Limited) was listed on the ASX in December 2000 and Geoff remained as a Director until October 2005, when he retired with the aim of directing 100% of his energy into the new business.

In response to a question why he purchased the property Geoff says "My wife and I love horses, and are both Members at the VRC. Some business success has provided funds to be more involved, hence the purchase of the farm.

"I have always been interested in the land and farming. I thought of going to Dookie Ag College when I left school, but became an accountant instead. I've always had an interest in horses. My late uncle Alan Guest bred EUREKA STAR and EUREKA AGAIN. I thought land and horses, what a great combination ... we went to the auction and the rest is history."

Geoff said that "All the staff are staying on, most importantly Manager Damian Murphy and Farm Foreman Chris Harvey, so from 1st February it will be business as usual, the farm is virtually full at present.

Capital improvements are underway, a new office being built, new hardware and software (Ardex Horse Management System) is being installed, new logos and corporate colours etc (Gold and Navy Blue) are being introduced, a new website is being built so it's go, go, go. We will be trading under the name "Rockmount" taken from the fantastic granite structures that rise from the western slopes of the property."

Geoff says that he and Jill have a vision for the property that involves "maintaining it at all times in top shape, to ensure owners (clients) get great value, to attract and retain quality staff, to look at some irrigation in major paddocks, and to take on some breeding for our own purposes."

Stay tuned for an appearance of Geoff and Jill's recently registered colours on the track as well - gold, navy diamonds, navy sleeves with gold band, and a gold cap with navy diamonds. Geoff and Jill currently have a couple of horses in work - Ross McDonald at Caulfield being one of their trainers.

New owners, new history in the making ... and to make it even better they're also lovely people to boot !

Here's raising a glass to the future success of the new "Rockmount".