Country: Horses for courses

Tailor-made for all things equestrian, this large property is the perfect set-up for horse-lovers to indulge their passion, as CEDRIC GRAY reports.

This is the home of Frugal Echo, one of New Zealand's finest trotters.

Already the winner of 11 races, the horse works out on an all-weather, 800m track, enjoys a comfortable stable and revels in the company of his trainer, Leanne Edwards.

The 12.6ha property is in Brookby Rd, about 3km from the Whitford township in South Auckland. The region is known in some circles as "millionaires' row", and the description is apt if the stylish homes and fertile pasture are the yardsticks.

The Tipapa Equestrian Centre, the Auckland Polo Club grounds and two golf clubs are in the Whitford-Clevedon district. It is, however, a changing scene. Dry stock farms are being subdivided and much smaller holdings are now the norm.

The Edwards' property is tailor-made for horses. Divided into 16 paddocks, half the property is gently rolling, well-drained, fertile land, while the other half, also in healthy pasture, is flat. This is where Frugal Echo and Leanne's other horses do their fast work.

There are eight stables on the property, with plenty of room for expansion. Several good-size outbuildings include a barn/workshop with a concrete floor, day yards, stock yards and a hay barn with access to Twilight Rd.

A spring-fed pond offers a picturesque backdrop to the stables and day yards, and ample shelter is provided by a small bush lot and several stands of kahikatea.

Built by Edwards' family 17 years ago, the three-bedroom, brick-and-tile house commands wide rural views from its splendid elevated site.

The open-plan interior has a central, sun-filled kitchen serving a small family dining area, a larger family lounge and a separate formal lounge. An attractive and practical feature is a cosy conservatory off the family dining area.

Served by a well-appointed central bathroom, the bedrooms and office are located in the accommodation wing.

There is double garaging, a carport and a large area for parking heavy vehicles. The cluster of outbuildings lend themselves to a variety of uses.

A one-bedroom, self-contained cottage is on the same site.

The property is for sale through Barfoot & Thompson, Papakura, at an asking price of $1.25 million. Contact Mike Butler on 298 8029 for further details.