Queensland Racing Limited (QRL) is to establish a new industry training facility after acquiring the prestigious Wadham Park training complex and veterinary hospital at Canungra in the Gold Coast hinterland.QRL chairman Bob Bentley refused to reveal the cost of purchasing the 66-hectare property which is built on flood-free land.It comprises a fully-equipped equine and veterinary hospital with two state-of-the-art operating theatres and recovery facilities.In addition it has a 2200-metre grass t

Queensland Racing Limited (QRL) is to establish a new industry training facility after acquiring the prestigious Wadham Park training complex and veterinary hospital at Canungra in the Gold Coast hinterland.

QRL chairman Bob Bentley refused to reveal the cost of purchasing the 66-hectare property which is built on flood-free land.

It comprises a fully-equipped equine and veterinary hospital with two state-of-the-art operating theatres and recovery facilities.

In addition it has a 2200-metre grass track, a 2000-metre grass track, a 2000-metre synthetic track and a 1400-metre sand track, numerous sand rolls, two swimming pools, two aqua walkers, three eight-horse walkers and two 16-horse walkers.

"It was on the market for $29 million but the valuation was well above that," Bentley said.

"Queensland Racing is very pleased and proud to get it.

"It is an opportunity for the racing industry which was too good to overlook."

Bentley was reluctant to put a timetable on when the facility will be used for industry participants.

Deagon, on Brisbane's northern outskirts, is the present industry training centre but is expected to be gradually phased out of operation.

Wadham Park was previously owned by former Toll Holdings boss Peter Rowsthorn who used the facility as a training complex for his large stable prepared by Dale Sutton who held a minor share in the complex.

Sutton is now in charge of Wadham Park's training operation in Victoria.

Bentley said Wadham Park at Canungra was ideally located for an industry training centre.

"It's only 40 minutes to the Gold Coast and one hour to Brisbane and is much like the industry centre in Victoria which is based at Cranbourne," he said.

"Wadham Park will ensure that southeast Queensland has up-to-date training facilities to accommodate continued expansion of the racing industry.

"This new initiative will take pressure off existing facilities at the Gold Coast, Beaudesert and Deagon which are currently overtaxed and in less than optimal condition."

Bentley said the purchase of Wadham Park followed the recent decision to approve the newly-formed Brisbane Racing Club's (BRC) application to build on-course stables at Eagle Farm.

"The BRC's decision on balance will be sufficient to accommodate the metropolitan training needs," he said.

It is expected that Wadham Park when fully developed would provide stabling and training facilities for 700 horses and provide a huge employment boost.

Bentley said the QRL would formulate a five-year plan to further develop Wadham Park after the handover took place on July 1.