Wakefield Stud Open for Business

Sponsored Content - by Tara Madgwick - Monday July 22

Respected Hunter Valley nursery Middlebrook Valley Lodge has been expanded to include Wakefield Stud with a busy breeding season expected and both farms now being utilized to accommodate a growing number of mares.

The addition of Wakefield to the MVL farm means 600 acres will be available for use with the plan for dry mares to be agisted at Wakefield and pregnant mares at MVL.

“The owners have made a real statement with the purchase of Wakefield and the team we’ve built, and we’re all looking to the future with great excitement. It’s challenging for the smaller breeder, so we want to help where we can, and the best way to do that is through giving the best care possible to client’s horses, at a reasonable cost,” said MVL Sales and Bloodstock Manager Bernie Kane.

Martin Breuchert has been appointed Manager at Wakefield and comes with 40 years experience gained from working at Arrowfield, Coolmore(Ire & Aus), Darley and Cressfield.

Martin Bruechert will manage Wakefield Stud -images supplied

“Martin is the consummate horseman, teacher, and a team member that can cover every role on both farms when needed,” said Kane.

“He was a 2020 Godolphin Stud and Stable Awards winner of the Dedicated to Breeding Award and it is a real coup for us to bring him to Wakefield, which has undergone significant upgrades.”

Improvements have been made to the barn and parade areas at Wakefield, so 2025 yearling drafts can be prepared out of Wakefield if needed (in conjunction with existing MVL facilities) and the paddocks sprayed, soil tested, pasture examined, all with the aim of providing the best possible care for the horses on farm.

The new MVL team will be led by Rachel Ritchie, who has learnt under some of the best mentors in the industry, and has gained her experience at Vinery, Yarraman, Swettenham, and the world-renowned Hagyards in Kentucky.

Rachel Ritchie will head up the team at Middlebrook Valley Lodge.

“Rachel is a specialist in the pre/post-natal care of mares and foals, and that’s her passion- care of the young horse,” said Kane.

“She is a confident leader who will really manage and lead the team from the front, bringing a real hands-on management style to the farm, which will benefit all aspects of the businesses over time.

“Our dedicated team of staff are all working towards the goal of doing what’s best for the horse. In conjunction with agronomists and nutritionists, we have changed and streamlined our feeding regimes and the results have started to come through since we re-assessed that back in March.

“The farm is a happy place at the moment, and feedback from clients and industry participants regarding the purchase of Wakefield and the team we’ve built, has been nothing but positive.”

MVL will continue to have a presence at all the major yearling sales in 2025 and will also have a draft at Inglis R2R Sale this year with the potential for clients to sell under their banner at that sale.

MVL are also investing in quality bloodstock securing a share in exciting young sire Militarize, three lovely young mares in Salem(FR), Chalonne Princess and Geoffrin(GB) as well as three weanlings to pinhook into 2025 yearling sales. They also bought into a colts syndicate further cementing their commitment to the industry through that highly competitive avenue as well.

Middlebrook Valley Lodge has a past record of success and a bright future .

“We will continue to invest as we believe that gives clients confidence as we’re on the ride with them and are happy to back our farm and team by investing further,” Kane concluded.

“We have secured some big interstate farms that will base their mares on farm this season and we see that as a real vote of confidence in what we’re doing and offering clients.

“We have also leased out a portion of Wakefield and I’m looking forward to welcoming enquiries from clients that wish to place their bloodstock at either farm, for this season and beyond.”

All enquiries for either MVL or Wakefield can be directed to Bernie Kane on 0472 832 199.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 3
Here is the full list of 57 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Friday August 1
Here is the full list of 35 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Highland Blaze Wins $250,000 Grand National Hurdle
Jumps racing was the highlight at Sandown Lakeside on Sunday with the $250,000 Grand National Hurdle (4200m) the highlight and the $100,000 Crisp Steeplechase (4200m) offering a great start to the day.
The Novelist Returns to Form
The very first stakes-winner for his sire Written By when winning the Group III BRC BJ McLachlan Stakes in December 2022, The Novelist made light of the heavy 10 track at Rosehill on Saturday to claim another victory.
King of Roseau Wins G3 Aurie’s Star
Placed in the Listed VRC Poseidon Stakes at Flemington last spring as a three year-old behind Growing Empire, Capitalist gelding King of Roseau returned to the same venue on Saturday to capture the Group III VRC Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m).
Bred to Win Returns on Monday night
Caroline Searcy’s Bred To Win returns this Monday night profiling new and proven stallions heading into the Spring of 2025 and promoting the thoroughbred breeding industry in Australia and around the world.
Shooting to Win Relocating to Yarradale Stud
Yarradale Stud has purchased Group 1 racehorse and sire Shooting To Win to cover his first book at its Gidgegannup property this season.
Alma Vale Thoroughbreds Welcome First foal for Ozzmosis
The next chapter for Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Ozzmosis has officially begun with the arrival of his first foal. A bay colt out of the stakes-placed mare Cool Change (NZ) was born last night at Alma Vale Thoroughbreds, marking a significant milestone for the exciting son of Zoustar.
MM Yearling Sales 2026 Open for Entry
The 2026 Magic Millions Yearling Sales - from the Gold Coast in January to Perth and Tasmania in February and the Gold Coast and Adelaide in March - are ready to deliver more groundbreaking results.
Glorious Goodwood Day 3 – Flag Start Can’t Stop Wootton Bassett
The Group I Nassau Stakes (1m2f) for fillies and mares was the highlight on the third day of Glorious Goodwood and very nearly didn’t happen at all given the ‘biblical’ rain and a flag start for the five runners that braved the treacherous conditions.