Further into the poem, further than many Australian schoolchildren may have ventured, are the lines directly inspired by Torryburn: “Over the thirsty paddocks, Watch, after many days, The filmy veil of greenness, That thickens as we gaze.”

[Jenny Ferguson] said they had transformed a rundown farm not just into a thoroughbred stud but a place of beauty by planting thousands of trees, native and exotic, and creating the garden. “We only began to entertain the idea of selling Torryburn a few months ago,” she said. “What started out as a hobby had grown like Topsy over 14 years. We had a long discussion and agreed that no matter how much we loved the place we needed to slow down and live a quieter, more simple life.”

In its present incarnation Torryburn boasts two stable complexes including a modern mezzanine office, parade grounds, foaling stables, nursery paddocks, a veterinary room and spelling paddocks. Staff facilities include the three bedroom manager’s residence, two bedroom and three bedroom farm cottages, stable flats and a staff swimming pool. Torryburn is watered by an irrigation licence from McIntyre Creek and has 15 dams.

* Rural

TORRYBURN is a part of Australia’s history.

As the former home of the much-loved poet Dorothea Mackeller, the property is part of the inspiration for that most famous of Australian poems, My Country.

Generations of school kids learnt the poem, and most particularly the lines “I love a sunburnt country, A land of sweeping plains…”

But further into the poem, further than many Australian schoolchildren may have ventured, are the lines directly inspired by Torryburn: “Over the thirsty paddocks, Watch, after many days, The filmy veil of greenness, That thickens as we gaze.”

Mackeller might barely connect the property she loved so much with the luxury thoroughbred horse stud Torryburn is today.

The property is now on the market for $5.5 million. Situated at East Gresford in the sought after Lower Hunter Valley north of Sydney, Torryburn was first settled in 1821 by John McIntyre.

Reportedly a cruel master to the convicts in his employ, McIntyre went missing in the 1830s. The convoluted and irregular trials of various convicts for his murder ultimately caused great embarrassment to the Crown.

Rob and Jenny Ferguson, the owners since 1987, are selling the property and dispersing their high-quality bloodstock. The sale of Torryburn broodmares and weanlings at this week’s Magic Millions June Winter Carnival Sale is being touted as a great success.

The Fergusons have 37 years of history in breeding and racing thoroughbreds and continue to have interests with John Singleton and Gerry Harvey in theMagic Millions Sales Co.

Rob Ferguson, former chief of BT, says: “We came to a point in our lives where we needed to assess what it was we enjoyed the most about our involvement in the thoroughbred industry.

“We find racing is what we enjoy the most, so the decision to focus on racing rather than breeding has led to the Torryburn dispersal.”

Jenny Ferguson said they had transformed a rundown farm not just into a thoroughbred stud but a place of beauty by planting thousands of trees, native and exotic, and creating the garden. “We only began to entertain the idea of selling Torryburn a few months ago,” she said. “What started out as a hobby had grown like Topsy over 14 years. We had a long discussion and agreed that no matter how much we loved the place we needed to slow down and live a quieter, more simple life.”

In its present incarnation Torryburn boasts two stable complexes including a modern mezzanine office, parade grounds, foaling stables, nursery paddocks, a veterinary room and spelling paddocks. Staff facilities include the three bedroom manager’s residence, two bedroom and three bedroom farm cottages, stable flats and a staff swimming pool. Torryburn is watered by an irrigation licence from McIntyre Creek and has 15 dams.

The renovated 1880s homestead, once a gracious house in the classic Victorian Italianate style, was sadly neglected for many years before being twice renovated by the current owners into the elegant home it is today. It features ornate high ceilings with a dramatic atrium to the formal dining room. Cedar from the Dungog area, source of the original timber, has been used in the meticulous restoration. Bricks have been hand-made to match the originals.

But it’s the 20 acres of garden encircling the homestead, traditionally open to the public each year through the Open Garden Scheme, that attracts the most attention. There are more than 1000 roses in the rose gardens and arbours, there is a sunken garden, a walled formal garden with wisteria terrace, a pear tree walk to the summer house and, further across the creek, a poplar grove where seating encourages guests to relax.

Exclusive selling agent Pamela Munson of Paterson Valley Farms & Acreages said Torryburn was easily one of the best rural properties currently available in Australia.