Ben and Lizzie Cooper's Merricks Station has certainly been getting
some important visitors at their immaculately appointed property of late and
while it may not have been Harry and Meghan, they did recently host the First
lady of Racing, Gai Waterhouse for a royal tour of their Mornington Peninsular
acreage.
Additionally, the
first lady of Moonee Valley, is also in residence, with the recent Group 1 Moir
victor, Lloyd Kennewell's Viddora happily enjoying a well-earned spell on the
lush spring pastures.
Ben Cooper at Merricks Station on the Mornington Peninsula.
Manager of Merricks Station, Dearne Gess-Jones who has been involved with the
farm since its inception, was excited to show off the operation that she is
thrilled to be a part of.
Gess-Jones had previously managed Musk Creek Farm, and after starting a young
family of her own, she remained involved in the industry before coming on board
at Merrick's Station full time.
"Merrick's Station was born when two former cattle properties of 50 acres were
purchased and merged by Ben Cooper, allowing this purpose-built equine property
to be built from scratch."
Gai Waterhouse visits the team at Merricks Station.
"It has been well planned out and developed by Ben with an amazing eye for
detail. With fully renovated pastures, stable complex and clever paddock
layout, the design ensured that the farm flowed from a horse point of view. We
developed laneway's and yards, that allow us to run the farm efficiently and
safely."
Although busy as Managing Director of Cameron, his family owned and operated commercial
and industrial real estate business, Ben Cooper still enjoys the picturesque
property as much as possible.
"Ben loves getting out on the farm and amongst the horses as much as he can. He
doesn't mind getting dirty and wants to be involved in the day to day running.
It's great as Ben is happy to help with a feed run or foaling and I often ask
him to lead a mare or grab a foal." Gess-Jones said.
The property is currently home to Cooper's dozen or so broodmares, many that he
raced successfully himself, as well as the young horses, yearlings, foals and a
number of spelling racehorses.
Merricks Station boasts state of the art infrastructure that includes a
10-horse walker with a centre round yard, foaling paddock under lights and 24/7
cameras, walk in / walk out boxes, and stable complex for yearling preparation.
Coupled with improved lush pastures, gentle, undulating paddocks for
development and growth of yearlings and excellent rainfall all year round, it
is an idyllic setting catering for horses throughout all stages of their
lifespan.
Cooper first became involved with racehorses when as an owner in a Matthew
Ellerton & Simon Zahra trained galloper, which was the start of a long
association with the EZ team. Now EZ Racing train all of Cooper's horses, and
between preparations, his racehorses can enjoy coming up to Merricks Station to
spell.
Additionally, the operation provides thoroughbred agistment and spelling for
other leading trainers, including Lloyd Kennewell's and his Group 1 sprinter
Viddora, who is loving life on the Peninsular.
Viddora is enjoying a well earned spell after her Group 1 Moir win.
Focusing on the Melbourne market, Cooper will be taking a high-quality draft of
seven yearlings to Melbourne Premier next year under the Merricks Station
banner, all expertly prepped on farm, which includes yearlings by Written
Tycoon and Zoustar.
While loyal to the Victorian breeding industry, Cooper welcomed two Written
Tycoon foals this season and is looking forward to greeting the first foals
from Darley's Impending next season, a stallion he has bought lifetime breeding
rights in.
Excited now to watch the Merrick's Station brand grow and flourish, Ben Cooper
is quick to give credit when credit is due.
"At the start-up, it's so important to get a good team around you, like-minded
people that share your passion. They are able to give you the right advice and
along with Simon & Matt from EZ racing, I have to thank Mat Becker for all
his knowledge on selecting the right black type families and brilliant mating
plans and Dearne, who has been instrumental for all her advice and hard work to
make the farm so functional." Ben Cooper said.
"A product of Merricks Station is, Whistle Baby, a filly we bought from the
Premier yearling sales, raced her and now she is our star broodmare. She
represents what we are looking to achieve. To buy high-end quality fillies,
race them in the Merricks Station silks and then bring them into our growing
and improving broodmare band. We have a lot to look forward to over the coming
years."
For more details visit Merricks Station on Instagram - @merricksmerricksstation.