Ciaron Maher to take over Leilani Lodge

Leading trainer Ciaron Maher has been granted a base at Randwick and will take over the facility formerly known as Leilani Lodge.

Maher was one of three applicants for the boxes, along with Tulloch Lodge duo Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, and former Godolphin head trainer James Cummings, who subsequently withdrew his interest after accepting an offer from the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

The acquisition will strengthen Maher’s presence in NSW.

He currently has a Sydney base at Warwick Farm, along with Bob’s Farm north of Newcastle and another training centre at Bong Bong in the Southern Highlands.

The Randwick facilities, located on course at High Street, include 59 boxes and were formerly occupied by Anthony Cummings but became vacant when his licence to train was revoked earlier this year.

They were named after the great race mare Leilani, trained by Cummings’ legendary father Bart, who previously held the yard.

ATC Head of Racing and Wagering, Nevesh Ramdhani, said Maher’s presence at Sydney’s premier track was a positive move for local racing.

“Ciaron Maher’s new stable at Royal Randwick adds further depth to the strength of training ranks in Sydney,” Ramdhani said.

Maher’s main base is at Ballarat in Victoria while he also has facilities at Cranbourne and Pakenham.

He leads the national trainers’ premiership with 279 wins heading into Thursday’s meetings, while his horses have amassed more than $57.2 million in prizemoney earnings this season.