Inglis' Riverside Stables complex at Warwick Farm was this morning officially opened by Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres.
Mr Ayres, Inglis deputy chairman Arthur Inglis and Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster were joined by Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller and NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley to plant a sapling from the famous Moreton Bay Fig from Inglis' old Newmarket site – to mark the official opening.
Australian racing legend John Tapp unveiled a 3m high statue at the front of The William Inglis Hotel named The Yearling And The Leader, a depiction of a young horse and its strapper.
Pic: L-R Arthur Inglis (Inglis deputy chairman), Tanya Bartlett (sculptor), Mark Webster (Inglis MD), Luke Foley (State Opposition Leader), Wendy Waller (Mayor of Liverpool), John Tapp (racing legend) and Stuart Ayres (Minister for Sport and Western Sydney).
Australia's First Lady of Musical Theatre, Marina Prior, then sang the national anthem before guests enjoyed lunch provided by the team at Accor, which is managing The William Inglis Hotel.
Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster said he was proud of the company's feats in planning, constructing and opening Riverside Stables.
Today has been 10 years in the making and to see how magnificent the hotel and auction grounds are, it's a truly gratifying moment in the Company's history,'' Mr Webster said.
"A lot of work from a lot of people has gone into this creation that we are today proud to show off to the world.''
Minister Ayres said Riverside Stables was an outstanding addition to the Western Sydney landscape, not only as an equine auction house but also as a purpose built event centre.
"The creation of this first-in-class racing and entertainment precinct by the country's oldest thoroughbred auctioneers is testament to the appeal of Western Sydney as an investment opportunity," Mr Ayres said
"The $140million Riverside Stables will bring hundreds of jobs to Western Sydney and see thousands of visitors from around the country and the world flock to the region - as part of a new wave of investment and tourism."
The first sale at Riverside Stables is the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, which starts at 6pm this coming Saturday night, February 10, and runs until Tuesday February 13.
