Ciaron Maher was locked away in meetings with Darren Weir on Thursday as the pair discussed the handover of the giant Forest Lodge operation in Miners Rest.
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Maher and his training partner David Eustace have acquired the facility following Weir’s four-year ban that was handed down by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board on Wednesday.
A rushed trip to Miners Rest on Tuesday afternoon cemented Maher's initial opinion that he had to take over Weir's stables.
"When I looked at the facility on Tuesday, I just knew I had to have the stables," he said.
"Full credit to Darren Weir, they are magnificent. It's an incredible complex and is be a great country environment for horses.
"It's an exciting time, not only for me personally and David, but for all the staff and owners."
Maher and Eustace now have facilities at Miners Rest, Caulfield, Pakenham and Warwick Farm.
The training partnership has already received a large number of Weir's former horses, including group 1 winners Extra Brut, Humidor, Gailo Chop, Sopressa, Voodoo Lad, Age Of Fire and Land Of Plenty.
The demise of the Darren Weir operation became even more real as branding on horse trucks were seen being taken down on Thursday.
Maher told The Courier that he, Weir and the Ballarat Turf Club had come to an agreement to purchase the Miners Rest property and that early discussions had centered around the staff.
“The staff needed a bit of certainty around their future and some of the staff had made alternative arrangements already,” Maher said.
Maher said it was a bit too early to reveal how many horses would be spread across his training bases.
“It’s just a great opportunity and something that seven days ago I didn’t think was possible or even an option… but that’s how life is sometimes,” he said.
“It’s great to be involved with such a proactive club and such a great facility.”
On Wednesday, Weir was found guilty on charges of possessing electronic equipment ("jiggers") and of conduct prejudicial to the image of racing.
- with Tim Auld and Andrew Thomson