Ciaron Maher establishes permanent Sydney base at Crown Lodge

Ciaron Maher has declared he's found his ultimate Sydney base, officially relocating to the prominent Crown Lodge complex in Warwick Farm, with the prominent trainer anticipating a more substantial metropolitan presence in the upcoming seasons.

Maher's initial strategy involved setting up at Leilani Lodge in Randwick and he had begun renovations there prior to the chance to acquire Crown Lodge arising.

This move has already proven fruitful, as Rock Empire became the inaugural winner to emerge from Maher's new Sydney headquarters following its victory at Randwick on Saturday.

Maher reported that the transition from his Bong Bong property in the NSW Southern Highlands, where he previously housed 60 horses, had been uncomplicated.

Regarding Crown Lodge, Maher remarked, "It's probably the best stable in New South Wales, and not surprisingly."

"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 his Bob's Farm location near Newcastle, Crown Lodge will serve as his principal Sydney stable. The trainer is set to formally unveil the complex this week and hopes to celebrate with a winner at Saturday's Rosehill races.

Maher has accepted with three contenders at Rosehill to launch the new racing season, including It's A Knockout in the Jockeys Celebration Day Handicap (1500m).

The mare faces a challenging draw, barrier 12 of 13, leading Maher to ponder whether to run her or save her for the Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m) on August 7.

He was buoyed by her return to form when she finished second behind Mickey's Medal at Randwick in her most recent outing.

"It was good to see her back and hitting the line (last start)," Maher commented.

"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 secured 45 Sydney metropolitan victories from 377 starts during the 2025/26 season, placing sixth in the Sydney trainers' premiership. He believes the enhanced facilities at Crown Lodge will empower his stable to become an even more dominant 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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