Ciaron Maher has formally moved into Crown Lodge at Warwick Farm, describing it as his 'forever home' after relocating from Bong Bong in the NSW southern highlands. He trained his first winner from the new base when Rock Empire won at Randwick on Saturday.
A seamless transition
Maher was set to take over Leilani Lodge at Randwick and was in the midst of refurbishing those barns when Crown Lodge became an option. He said the move from Bong Bong, where he had 60 boxes for 100 horses, was seamless.
“It’s probably the best stable in New South Wales, and not surprisingly,” Maher said. “I was rapt to get in there. We were going to come to Randwick, but we thought this may have been an option. It’s a real showcase and the horses have settled straight away.”
Strong Sydney presence
This season, Maher has produced 45 Sydney metropolitan winners from 377 starters, finishing sixth on the Sydney trainers' premiership. He expects a bigger presence in the coming years thanks to the larger facility.
“I do feel we will, for sure. Naturally, because it’s a bigger facility,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to the next year, and five years. I’m pretty excited with where the business is at, and where it’s headed.”
Opening season hopes
Maher, who still has his Bob’s Farm facility near Newcastle, will have a formal opening at Crown Lodge this week. The 2026-27 racing term kicks off at Rosehill, where he has accepted with three horses, including It’s A Knockout in the Jockeys Celebration Day Handicap (1500m).
The mare drew barrier 12 of 13, and Maher will check weather conditions before deciding if she runs there or is saved for the Coffs Harbour Cup on August 7. He was buoyed by her last start, where she beat all but Mickey’s Medal at Randwick.
