Euroa’s Ealing Park has changed hands recently with new owners Rebecca and Simon Lurati seeking to repeat the renowned farm’s success.
Ealing Park was established by Geoff and Mary Johnson in 1983 with their son Tim (a former President of Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria) and wife Lisa taking over in 2000 and has been a breeding ground for many a good horse.
“We value the reputation that Ealing Park has within the thoroughbred community, so we wanted to keep the name and write another chapter in its proud history,” Rebecca Lurati said.
The Luratis has have over 25 years of breeding and showing experience with horses including foaling down hundreds of mares. They previously owned a 500-acre property at nearby Tamleugh that was the home of Dallu Welsh Mountain Pony Stud.
At the new Ealing Park the Luratis will be partnering with specialist equine vet Stacey McGregor of Seven Creeks Equine and well-known breeding farrier Shaun Gray helping give resident horses the best of care.
Historically, Ealing Park can count many a Group 1 star among its ranks. This autumn’s Coolmore Classic winner Daysee Doom grew up at Ealing Park as did Titanic Jack and Grand Journey while Cox Plate heroine Pinker Pinker and Faint Perfume were both foaled down at the farm.

Ealing Park raised Daysee Doom wins the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (pic-Steve Hart)
Melbourne Cup winner Kingston Rule stood at stud at Ealing Park and is now buried in the front yard alongside 1966 English Derby winner Charlottown (who stood at the farm in the 1970s when it was known as Summerhill Stud).
Rebecca Lurati said this history was a key lure for her and her husband in buying the farm.
“I remember driving past Ealing Park twelve years ago and completely fell in love with it. Being only around the corner from where my mum was buried, it was always a dream to buy it, and it’s even been a running joke in the family that any extra money goes towards the Ealing Park ‘fund’.
“We wish to continue to run this property as a thoroughbred broodmare farm with plans to extend to spelling and yearling preparation in the near future and, once the weather warms up, we look forward to welcoming prospective clients to visit.”
Having been a major player in Victoria breeding, the Johnsons wound back the operation in recent years and the Luratis are aware that there is a lot of work ahead of them.
“The property has been professionally set up, but we will be busy putting back some polish on the stunning property,” Rebecca said.
With pasture maintenance already underway, they are looking forward to their first thoroughbred mares arriving at the property for the season ahead.
“We will only look to foal around twenty mares this year, giving them the best of care while we continue to concentrate on improving and renovating the 200-acre property.”
Interestingly, Rebecca’s welsh ponies have already played a vital role in the thoroughbred industry.
“My welsh pony stud has a strong connection to the industry having supplied teasers to a number of leading Victorian thoroughbred studs including Blue Gum Farm, and they will be the most brilliant nannies for the thoroughbred weanlings,” she said.
In the future, they will also look to provide safe spelling for racehorses while Rebecca will draw on her extensive showing background of preparing horses for the show ring, to prepare yearlings for the sales ring.
“I would love to get into yearling preparation, as it complements the immaculate attention to detail that I learnt showing, and every little bit helps to attract the right buyers attention.”
The Luratis are offering introductory rates for their debut season. Contact Rebecca on 0427 736 662 or visit www.ealingpark.com.au for more information.