Ciaron Maher believes he has secured his permanent Sydney base after officially moving into the well-regarded Crown Lodge complex at Warwick Farm, with the leading Sydney trainer anticipating a stronger metropolitan presence in the seasons to come.
Initially, Maher had planned to establish his presence at Leilani Lodge in Randwick and had already begun renovations on those facilities before the chance to secure Crown Lodge emerged.
The relocation has already proven successful, with Rock Empire becoming the first winner to emerge from Maher’s new Sydney headquarters when victorious at Randwick on Saturday.
Maher stated that the transition from his Bong Bong property in the NSW Southern Highlands, where he housed 60 horses, had been seamless.
“It’s probably the best stable in New South Wales, and not surprisingly,” Maher commented about Crown Lodge.
“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.”
“Bong Bong is a fantastic facility, but there are sixty boxes there and I had one hundred horses. I needed a bigger facility. This is perfect. It consolidates it.”
While Maher will continue to operate from his Bob’s Farm base near Newcastle, Crown Lodge will become his principal Sydney stable. The trainer is set to officially launch the complex this week and hopes to celebrate with a winner at Saturday’s Rosehill meeting.
Maher has accepted with three runners at Rosehill to kick off the new racing season, including It’s A Knockout in the Jockeys Celebration Day Handicap (1500m).
The mare has drawn barrier 12 of 13, leading Maher to contemplate whether she will take her place or be saved for the Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m) on August 7.
He was encouraged by her return to form in her latest appearance, finishing runner-up to Mickey’s Medal at Randwick.
“It was good to see her back and hitting the line (last start),” Maher said.
“She could have drawn a bit nicer, but what do you do?
“Whether we run here or not, she could end up at Coffs. We’ll see how the race looks and how the track is.”
Maher trained 45 Sydney metropolitan winners from 377 starters during the 2025/26 season, securing sixth place in the Sydney trainers’ premiership. He believes the expanded facilities at Crown Lodge will enable his stable to become an even greater force.
“I do feel we will, for sure. Naturally, because it’s a bigger facility,” he stated.
“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.”
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