Liam Howley is going back to where it all started.
Unfortunately the former Shepparton native isn’t making the shift back to the Goulburn Valley, however, he is returning to where it all began for him as a horse trainer.
Howley made the announcement last week that he would be shifting his training operation — Liam Howley Racing — from Kyneton to Macedon Lodge.
“I’m really excited with the opportunity to move back to Macedon Lodge,” Howley said.
“Obviously it’s a place I’m familiar with and I’m just excited with how much more it’s going to benefit not only the horses, but the owners and the staff as well.”
The training base at Macedon Lodge has always been close to Howley’s heart.
He was the operation’s trainer at Macedon Lodge for a period of time when successful Melbourne Cup owner Lloyd Williams owned the property.
Howley’s stint at Macedon Lodge spanned 10 years — five years as an assistant trainer before he was the head trainer for a further five years.
Williams has since sold the training base to Bruce Dixon and Howley has been busy building and establishing his footprint in Victoria’s racing scene.
Dixon’s purchase of Macedon Lodge, which he acquired in July last year, has opened the door for Howley to make his return to the ranges.
Howley said he expected the shift to Macedon Lodge to be completed by late March to early April.
It has been reported that Macedon Lodge, which was a private facility in the Williams’ ownership, will be open to four trainers.
Howley is joined by top New Zealand trainer Andrew Forsman in the shift to Macedon Lodge.
“We’ve been presented with a great business model under Bruce and the new management,” Howley said.
“It’s going to allow me to focus more time on the horses and the admin side of things is going to be looked after.
“My model has always been ‘let horses be horses’.”
And it’s that focus on his horses that excites Howley the most about the shift to Macedon Lodge.
The training complex offers “first-class” facilities with its uphill gallop track, vast paddocks, water-walker, horse pool and more now at Howley’s disposal.
Howley said he couldn’t wait to welcome his clients to his new base of operations.
“One of the big benefits of this move is what it means to our clients. They will now be able to get up close and personal to their horses in an environment that’s second-to-none on a day-to-day basis.”