Dixon rides into equestrian

Former Healthscope and Spotless executive Bruce Dixon can’t seem to get enough of private equity!

After selling his pubs business to KKR’s Australian Venue Co, the businessman has popped up at another private equity-linked play and this time it’s in horses.

Bruce Dixon.  Josh Robenstone

It is understood Dixon has entered into a partnership with Highland Dressage, the largest equestrian breeders in the world, to expand their operations in Australia.

Highland Dressage is backed by European PE shop Waterland Private Equity, while the Australian arm is to be known as Helgstrand at Turnberry.

To kick it all off, Dixon has purchased a stud he’s named Turnberry. The site was better known in the equestrian world as Statene Park, home to Olympian Mary Hanna’s elite training facility on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula.

Dixon’s plan is to bring world class equestrian horses into Australia and New Zealand, starting from next month, in what he no doubt reckons should provide a big boost for equestrian in Australia.

While Street Talk doesn’t know much about horses, having seen what he has done in the past, it’s hard to back against him.