Aquis Farm boosts Scenic Rim’s equine credentials

The Scenic Rim is home to some stunning equine properties, including the world-class Aquis Farm pre-training and thoroughbred breeding facility at Canungra.

Aquis Farm operates from two properties, including the 447-hectare facility at Canungra in the Scenic Rim. The Canungra property is a fully-equipped breeding, agistment, and pre-training centre, featuring an 1800-metre irrigated premium grass track and a 1750-metre all-weather sand track.

Aquis Farm Canugra also boasts a state-of-the-art horse gym and extensive water facilities, including an aqua walker and a 65m lap pool.

The stables can house up to 80 horses in training, with many more in day yards and paddocks. The property includes separate foaling paddocks, a hospital barn, and vet station, ensuring all horses are provided with around-the-clock care and management.

The farm is also home to the Elysian Fields sports venue, which hosts impressive equine events, including the annual international showjumping competition, the Aquis Champion’s Tour and large polo tournaments. Elysian Fields was also the location of an intimate performance by global superstar Elton John.

Aquis Farm is owned by Hong Kong businessman Tony Fung, who started acquiring land in the region in 2015. Since then he has invested heavily to improve the facility and is working through plans with his son and Aquis Farm managing director, Justin Fung, for future development.

Tony visits the property every couple of months while Justin, an avid racing fan with a growing enthusiasm for the breeding side of the business, visits the farm more frequently.

Business Development Manager Paul Knight, who joined the operation 18 months ago following 29 years with the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast, says the farm has a number of stallions on the books, headlined by reverse-shuttler Spill the Beans.

Spill the Beans is currently in Newmarket (UK) at The National Stud for the 2018 northern hemisphere breeding season.

“From year to year the Aquis Farm stallion roster has, and will continue to be, developed to incorporate both proven and emerging bloodlines, sourced from both local and international bloodlines,” he says.

But diversity alone is not enough.

“Aquis Farm has focused on acquiring bloodlines of exceptional quality because it is this combination of diversity and quality that will achieve the greatest results for both our own breeding, but also for our clients,” says Mr Knight.

Aquis Farm has more than 70 full-time staff in a variety of positions to operate the farm and business. Many of the staff live on the farm, or within the surrounding suburbs.

In economic terms, Aquis Farm has greatly assisted in cementing the Scenic Rim’s reputation as the equine centre of Queensland, through regional job creation and by purchasing local goods and services.