Join us at the Chamber’s February 2026 networking event for an exclusive opportunity to hear Belinda McCarthy, the powerhouse entrepreneur behind Cobbitty Equine. Discover how she built a multi-award-winning enterprise from the ground up, gain practical strategies for business growth, and connect with like-minded professionals. Don’t miss this chance to learn, network, and be inspired!
Belinda McCarthy is a leading figure in the Australian equine industry, known for her entrepreneurial vision, resilience, and passion for building world-class operations from the ground up. Born and raised in Canowindra, Belinda grew up on a 1,600-acre horse stud where her family managed up to 400 horses alongside sheep and cropping enterprises. This busy and hands-on upbringing laid the foundation for her lifelong connection to horses and business.
Highly active in her local community and sport from a young age, Belinda dreamed big and left country life at 18 to pursue tertiary studies. She moved to Brisbane to complete a dual degree at QUT in Public Relations, Marketing and Human Movement, graduating with both Business and Teaching qualifications.
Belinda’s early career combined global travel, marketing roles within Queensland harness racing, and teaching Physical Education at Beaudesert High School. She continued working hands-on in racing stables before relocating to Sydney in 2011, where a major turning point followed.
Together with her partner Luke, Belinda purchased Candy Lodge at Cobbitty, transforming it over the past 15 years into one of Australia’s premier training, rehabilitation and pre-training facilities, and later an international stallion centre. As leading trainers and drivers in New South Wales, Belinda and Luke have won multiple training premierships and elite races, including the prestigious Miracle Mile, alongside major industry awards such as The First Lady.
Belinda is also renowned for training the legendary pacer King Of Swing, the only horse to win three Miracle Miles, now honoured with a grandstand named after him at Club Menangle.
What began as an “accidental” venture into stallion services became a defining business success. Following the rehabilitation of champion racehorse Bling It On, Belinda established Cobbitty Equine Farm, now the leading standardbred stud in NSW and the second largest in Australasia. Over the past eight years, the operation has serviced more than 5,000 mares across Australia and New Zealand.
A strategic thinker and hands-on leader, Belinda personally designed, built and manages a state-of-the-art quarantine facility—one of a kind in NSW. With access to major transport infrastructure, including the new Western Sydney Airport, she continues to diversify her operations and expand into new equine markets.
Belinda’s story is one of regional roots, global ambition, and innovative business growth—making her a powerful and inspiring voice for business, leadership and entrepreneurship.
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