Thoroughbred racing stud contents go under the hammer

Horse racing devotees and auction goers will have the opportunity to obtain a slice of Australian thoroughbred racing history when the contents of historic Wood Nook Farm, near the Victorian town of Nagambie, go under the hammer from 2pm Tuesday July 25 at Mossgreen 926-930 High Street, Armadale.

A thoroughbred nursery for more than six decades, Wood Nook was extensively developed by former Moonee Valley Race Club chairman Bob Scarborough and his wife Rosemary.

The couple recently sold the property to leading Victorian breeders Robert and Sylvie Crabtree, who for more than 25 years operated the highly successful Dorrington Farm at Hastings on the Mornington Peninsula.

From its early days Nook Stud (as it was originally known when owned by former Test cricketer Jack “Slinger” Nitschke) has stood well-known stallions including Latin Lover, sire of 1968-69 Melbourne Cup winner Rain Lover, High Peak Orgoglio and Brave Lad.

Under the Scarborough’s ownership, Wood Nook Farm has produced 12 Group 1 winners including Final Card, Gallica, Gold Ace, Hit the Roof, Leica Guv, Light Fantastic, Marble Halls, Sleek Chassis and Stella Cadente.

Among their other successes, the Crabtree’s have bred champion undefeated sprinter Black Caviar’s dam Helsinge and Magnus – one of Victoria’s best performing stallions.

The auction contains plenty of highlights including an impressive pair of 19^th century French cast iron lions on stone plinths guarding an arbore entrance within the Wood Nook Farm gardens.

Also outside is a pair of fine cast iron urns with cherub and ram’s head decorations.

Among the paintings on offer is Albert Tucker’s Parrot in Bush, 1970, Arthur Boyd’s Black Cockatoos in and Waterhole and Turkey Tolson Tjuppurrula’s Untitled (Snake Dreaming at Lampitjinya).

Of interest to auction goers and memorabilia hunters will be a metal bronze model of a horse and jockey Brian Egris, signed Egris 1988 on the base.

Other auction attractions include a 19^th century English walnut veneered breakfront credenza, a finely carved late 18^th early 19^th century English oval giltwood salon mirror, a quality mid 19^th century Italian Rococo revival carved and gilded centre table, and a 20^th century buttoned leather Chesterfield settee.