New chapter beckons for Carlaw Park

Carlaw Park will begin a new chapter next month, with Nick Fairweather and Nicole Brown relocating their thoroughbred operation to Parkvale Farm on the outskirts of Matamata.

Fairweather and Brown established Carlaw Park in 2016 alongside Brown’s parents, Peter and Roslyn, and will continue to operate under the Carlaw Park banner from the 41-hectare property.

The move will provide the couple with increased capacity while maintaining their core focus on spelling and preparing yearlings for major Australasian sales.

“It’s an exciting new property and opportunity, but it will be business as usual as Carlaw Park looks to offer the same quality service and professionalism from our new base,” Fairweather said.

“We will continue to focus on the things we believe we do well, spelling horses and preparing yearlings for major Australasian sales.

“But we also have some new projects in the pipeline for what we can offer our loyal clients and supporters going forward, and these will come to light over the coming months.

“It is very much business as usual as we get started and settle in.”

Parkvale Farm is an established equine property featuring 33 horse boxes, a covered lunging arena, covered 10-bay horse walker, two equine treadmills, a sand arena and a 1000m all-weather training track, along with a number of holding pens and yards.

Located just over seven kilometres from Matamata Racecourse and around 10 kilometres from the township, the property places Carlaw Park in the heart of one of New Zealand’s major thoroughbred regions.

“This is a significant opportunity for us to diversify and gives us further room for expansion, but the basic principles will remain the same,” Fairweather said.

“It’s a new location and a new chapter for Carlaw Park.”

Parkvale Farm also has a strong history within the New Zealand thoroughbred industry.

The property was most recently occupied by Ray and Ann Cattle, with the Cattles having purchased it from Valachi Downs. It was previously associated with highly successful trainer Jim Gibbs.

“Parkvale Farm has a great reputation and is already an established equine property,” Fairweather said.

“Valachi Downs occupied it until several years ago and many people will know it as Jim Gibbs’ old property. Plenty of good horses have come off the farm, which is important to us.”

Brown also knows the property well, having previously worked for Valachi Downs.

“Another advantage is that Nicole knows the property from her time at Valachi Downs,” Fairweather said.

“She knows how it operates and believes it is an ideal fit for Carlaw Park going forward.”

Fairweather and Brown expect to complete the move to Parkvale Farm over the coming weeks and are looking forward to building on what they have established over the past decade.

“Nicole and I are welcoming the challenge and the opportunity to further enhance Carlaw Park’s service and brand,” Fairweather said.

“It’s a timely move for us with the future of racing and breeding looking positive in New Zealand, and we’re excited about what we can do with the property.”