Twin Hills Stud has been purchased from Sheikh Mohammed by former Darley chief operating officer Olly Tait.

Tait and his wife Amber will return to Australia from Britain in April.  “Having grown up close to Twin Hills and been fortunate enough to work and live in the major thoroughbred breeding centres of the world, I know how lucky we are to have this opportunity,” Tait said.

“It is situated in an area that has produced Golden Slipper, Guineas, Derby and Oaks winners.  It is a magnificent property with world-class facilities on beautiful land.”

Twin Hills is located at Cootamundra in NSW and was established by Ferd Calvin in the 1960s.  The American expat also owned Dawson Stud on the Hawkesbury which was home to successful imports Bluescope (USA), Dignitas (USA) and Swiftly Morgan (USA).

Media personality Mike Willesee bought Twin Hills in the early 1980s and renamed it Trans Media Park Stud with high-profile stallions Rubiton and Snippets.

In 1993 it became part of Jack and Bob Ingham’s Woodlands Stud with English Derby hero Quest For Fame heading the roster before being absorbed into Sheikh Mohammed’s world-wide organisation in 2008.

Tait helped establish Darley in Australia and managed branches in Japan and the USA before relocating to Britain, where he was responsible for global operations.

Tait’s grandparents Peter and Daisy Tait owned legendary broodmare Dark Jewel (Star Kingdom) who foaled Group 1 winners Baguette, Cabochon, Heirloom plus stakes winners Birthright and Betelgeuse.

His parents Sandy and Kathy have continued breeding high class racehorses which have kept their famous red silks and white cap at the forefront of Australian racing through the deeds of Spinning Hill and Tie The Knot.  In 2014, the Tait family was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.