Forty years of dedication and achievement, working in and managing some of the best thoroughbred breeding operations in Australia, a dedicated member of the community and leader in his field, Wayne Bedggood has been awarded the 2021 HTBA President’s Award for Life Time Achievement.
In his first role at Middlebrook Park Stud, then owned by another upcoming industry leader, Arrowfield’s John Messara, Wayne was quickly recognised as a talented young horseman with a bright future.
Following the purchase of the breeding interests of Robert Sangster and Jim Flemming, John Messara purchased the Strowan property and neighbouring Arrowfield Wines vineyard at Jerrys Plains. Wayne, aided by a small team, was assigned to develop the property that was to become Arrowfield and is today, Coolmore.
In his role as Arrowfield’s Stud Manager, Wayne was instrumental in not only overseeing the development of a world class thoroughbred breeding facility but also the management of a significant broodmare band and the Arrowfield stallion roster. During his time as Stud Manage, Wayne also oversaw the first and subsequent seasons of the champion sire Danehill.
When Arrowfield’s operations relocated to its current location in the Segenhoe Valley, Wayne was once again instrumental in developing that property’s state of the art facilities, managing one of the largest and best credentialed broodmare bands in Australia and overseeing the arrival and launch of the exemplary stud careers of champion stallions such as Redoutes Choice and Snitzel.
For the past twenty years, Wayne has been General Manager at Cressfield, appointed to that role by Bruce Neil following his acquisition of the Cressfield farm. In this role Wayne again applied his talents to creation of another world class thoroughbred breeding facility and the establishment a broodmare band of enviable quality, boasting Group 1 winner Champagne (NZ), Regimental Gal, River Dove, Star Satire (NZ), Our Egyptian Raine (NZ) and to the restoration of the 1917 Queen Anne Federation Homestead. Today Cressfield is renowned as a premier boutique broodmare farm, operated by a team of highly skilled and respected horsemen and women, producing many Stakes performers, including Gourp 1 winners Onemorenomore and Clearly Innocent.
In the Upper Hunter, Wayne is recognised and highly respected for his dedication to the community – whether it be as a long-serving Director of the Muswellbrook Race Club, a committee member and former past President of the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association, or his tireless efforts as both former Councillor and Mayor of the Upper Hunter Shire Council. His achievements are too many to mention suffice to say he has made an indelible mark on our industry and the Upper Hunter community.
A proud family man, an excellent horseman, a leader among leaders, a mentor and friend to many, a tireless advocate for the industry and the Upper Hunter community, a respected colleague, and a thoughtful boss. The HTBA honours Wayne Bedggood for his lifetime of achievement, for his unfailing drive, dedication and determination to lead from the front to help build and preserve Australia’s world famous thoroughbred breeding and racing industry.
