New Zealand has provided an invaluable resource for decades when it comes to quality bloodstock – and its record is as strong today as it has ever been.

Here are four outstanding New Zealand stud farms, where owners and trainers are regularly on the look-out for fresh talent at reasonable prices. Punters would be well advised to stay on the right side of their graduates.

Cambridge Stud

Cambridge Stud is owned by Brendan and Jo Lindsay.

It was originally established in 1976 after Patrick and Justine Hogan sold their Fencourt Stud property and purchased land at Discombe Road Cambridge.

The selection of Sir Tristram as their foundation sire would change the landscape of Australasian breeding. Not only would the stud stand this champion sire, but his equally prolific son Zabeel also.

Westbury Stud

Westbury Stud is New Zealand’s home of breeding and rearing elite thoroughbreds. Spread over two picturesque properties in Karaka and the Waikato.

Trelawney Stud

Trelawney Stud is New Zealand’s oldest commercial Thoroughbred horse stud farm. It was established in 1930 by Seton Otway near Cambridge, New Zealand.

Waikato Stud

Waikato Stud is New Zealand’s premier Thoroughbred nursery, internationally-renowned for its award-winning breeding, rearing and development of elite racehorses.

Our resident stallions include Savabeel, Super Seth, Tivaci, Ocean Park, Ardrossan and Banquo.

Rich Hill Stud

Rich Hill Stud has firmly established itself as one of New Zealand’s leading thoroughbred nurseries. Its picturesque location and superb facilities provide a safe and natural environment for its young thoroughbreds.

Valachi Downs

Valachi Downs has been purpose built from the ground up, incorporating the many terrains of the region. Hill country, rolling pastures and lush flat lands make up the landscape of the stud, along with first class stabling facilities and kilometres of post and rail fencing.

Valachi Downs is a reflection of the focus on quality and attention to detail that is synonymous with the co-founder of Ryman Healthcare and stud owner Kevin Hickman, along with his wife Joanna.

Haunui Farm

Almost sixty years of high achievement provides the background to the adventurous and carefully planned 2011 relocation from Whitford to the prized rural landscape of Karaka. It is a move that has provided the ideal springboard to build on the traditions of success founded by three generations of the Chitty family.

The original Haunui Farm was founded in 1955 by my grandparents, Geoff and Peg Chitty, who nurtured an original hobby activity into an expanding commercial enterprise which grew to prominence under the guidance of my parents, Ron and Carolyn.

Ron took over the reins in 1975 and when the decision was made to move to Karaka, he was the perfect project manager to plan and establish a purpose-built facility which answered every requirement of efficient management and animal welfare.

Windsor Park Stud

Windsor Park Stud, is located a few minutes drive from the township of Cambridge, New Zealand, in the heart of some of the best thoroughbred breeding country in the world.

In 1998 and 2001 Windsor Park Stud was honoured for its achievements by the New Zealand thoroughbred industry when receiving the prestigious New Zealand Breeder Of The Year award.

Pencarrow Stud

Situated in the lush countryside of the Waikato region of New Zealand, Pencarrow Stud was established by international businessman Sir Peter Vela.

Developed in tandem with his late brother Philip, the pair created a legacy for their families and the NZ thoroughbred industry through years of dedication, passion and expert judgement. The 2013/14 season marked a new era in the history of the stud with Sir Peter taking the reins on his own and continuing the success that the brothers started together.

Comprising some 300 hectares of mineral rich countryside, Pencarrow Stud has an enviable record producing world-class thoroughbred racehorses.

Wentwood Grange

Established in 2000 by Welsh immigrants Des and Jan Hawkins, Wentwood Grange has quickly transitioned from a boutique farm to a major player in the New Zealand bloodstock industry. 

Named after the Wentwood forest that their dairy farm in Wales, prior to their move to New Zealand, looked over Wentwood-bred horses carry the distinctive brand of the Prince of Wales feathers. 

Wentwood Grange is now in the hands of their sons Sean, Dean and Leigh – although Des and Jan continue to play key roles in the day-to-day running of the farm.

Family values and a hands-on approach are trademarks of this growing business, owned and operated by the Hawkins Family and located just 5kms out of Cambridge in the extremely fertile Waikato region of New Zealand. 

Home to a desirable broodmare band of over 120 quality thoroughbreds, Wentwood Grange is focused on breeding and preparing quality horses for trade across Australasia. 

Curraghmore

Nestled in the rich dairy farming region of Waikato in New Zealand, Curraghmore has developed into a top class nursery for raising great racehorses.

Established by Gordon Cunningham, a grandson of the legendary Irish trainer Michael Collins, in 1994 Curraghmore derives its name from Curraghmore House and Gardens in Port Law, Co. Waterford in Ireland.

Growing up in Waterford Cunningham, was in awe of this property and often remarked that it would be the perfect place for raising horses. And so in 1994 he established his own Curraghmore, originally situated on 160 acres in Ngahinapouri.

In 2008 a second farm, nestled in the countryside of Te Awamutu was purchased and initially used in conjunction with the Ngahinapouri property. In 2016 Curraghmore centralised it’s operation at Te Awamutu and now includes a full sale preparation facility also.

The gently rolling contours and lush pastures of Curraghmore provide future racehorses the best possible opportunity to grow and develop to their full potential.

At Curraghmore the focus has always been and will always be on quality. We’ve developed a reputation for producing sound and durable racehorses, that continue to do us proud on the racetracks of Australasia and beyond.

Mapperley Stud

A stud with a rich history, Mapperley Stud has been in the Davison family for three generations. Developed for the sole purpose of breeding and raising young thoroughbreds, Mapperley spans over 600 acres of beautiful rolling Waikato country. Large, undulating paddocks are a prime feature at Mapperley and have proven time and time again to be the key ingredient to the success of many great racehorses who have been born and raised on the farm.

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Family owned and operated, Mapperley Stud is managed by Simms and Margaux Davison who share an exciting vision to re-establish Mapperley Stud’s stallion roster and return the Matamata based stud to its former position as one of New Zealand’s leading thoroughbred studs.