Winning stakes
As building site inspections go, it was a doozy. Linda and Laurence Monds recall the event as a pretty regular day at Tyreel Stud, their thoroughbred horse-breeding property in the Hawkesbury region on Sydney’s western periphery. But for architect Michael Bell and his interior designer life and work partner, Michele, even long experience with country clients hadn’t prepared them for the excitement that eventuated. They were chatting with the Monds on the verandah of the late-19th century homestead, when the monitor that goes everywhere with Linda during foaling season alerted them to action stations. All talk of fabrics, finishes and furnishings was immediately abandoned for the birth of the first foal of the season.
Breeding the next generation of racetrack stars is core business for Linda and Laurence, who also agist other breeders’ horses and prepare them for sales. As well, they run a beef cattle and cropping operation at Merriwa in the Upper Hunter.
The restoration of Tyreel homestead and horse-breeding business is
