JOCKEY James Winks is saddling up to sell his Aberfeldie home this spring.

The 35-year-old said he and his wife Laura were turfing the four-bedroom California bungalow at 72 Fawkner St because they needed more space for their growing family.

But they planned on staying in the area, which Winks said had been convenient for his line of work, with “Flemington Racecourse down the road” and Moonee Valley Racecourse “a stone’s throw away”.

CoreLogic records show the property last changed hands in February 2010 for $1.205 million.

Winks is now hoping to rein in a buyer for $1.8-$1.98 million, with Rendina Real Estate set to auction the pad on September 15.

He said he’d renovated the kitchen and two bathrooms, repainted “the whole house inside and out” and done some landscaping at the property, where he and Laura had brought home their kids Cooper, 5, Zayn, 3, and Annabella, 1.

“It’s been a great family home,” Winks said.

“From the day we saw it, we fell in love with it.”

A highlight for the jockey had been the backyard, featuring a solar-heated pool, a barbecue area he’d installed and space to play cricket with the kids.

Winks has notched four Group 1 wins in Australia, including the Queensland Derby in 2015, the Coolmore Stud Stakes in 2010 and the Yalumba Stakes (now known as the Caulfield Stakes) in 2008.

He’s also ridden in Hong Kong, Mauritius, Singapore and Malaysia, with the highlight of his career coming in 2009 when he claimed the Chairman’s Sprint Prize in Hong Kong.

Rendina director Lou Rendina said the Winks’s house was suited to young families, offering formal and informal living areas, including an open-plan family, meals and kitchen zone that looked out to the low maintenance backyard so parents could keep an eye on playing kids.

Off-street parking for up to four cars, city views and a handy position close to parks, schools and cafes completes the package.


Article Source - Herald Sun 72 Fawkner Street, Aberfeldie