Melbourne Cup-winning trainers Sheila Laxon and John Symons have been cleared to train in Victoria on a full-time basis, confirming Macedon Lodge as the permanent base of their operation.
The husband-and-wife training partnership will continue to maintain a stable on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast to service horses aimed at the state’s winter and summer carnivals, however Victoria will now become the primary base for their training activities.
Macedon Lodge holds significant history for the pair, having been Symons’ training base in the early 2000s when he prepared top-class sprinter Bel Esprit, and later where Laxon trained Ethereal to victory in the Melbourne Cup in 2001.
The property also served as their base two years ago when Knight’s Choice delivered the stable another memorable Melbourne Cup triumph.
The training centre was originally set to be their base for last spring, however a strangles outbreak disrupted preparations and prevented Knight’s Choice from attempting a Melbourne Cup double, while several stable runners were forced into mandatory quarantine.
Macedon Lodge, located west of Melbourne, was formerly owned by Melbourne Cup-winning owner Lloyd Williams and is now operated by Gold Coast-based hospitality entrepreneur Bruce Dixon, who purchased the property in 2022 for approximately $20 million.
The confirmation of Macedon Lodge as their permanent Victorian base signals a long-term commitment from Laxon and Symons to training in the state while continuing to campaign horses across multiple jurisdictions.
