Wakefield Stud is preparing for another busy breeding season in 2025, as the business continues its re-emergence in the industry after coming under new ownership in 2024.
After being purchased last year by the owners of the nearby Middlebrook Valley Lodge, the stud has continued with both infrastructure and pasture improvements, as it looks to continue to build on the momentum created last season.
"When we looked into the purchase of the property last year, we knew that there were a few areas of the farm that needed attention, and we've made those improvements step by step since we took over," said Bernie Kane, Sales and Bloodstock Manager for the owners.
With the property still having a lot of the original infrastructure in place, the tasks undertaken have standardised both the look of the farm and materials used, with an eye to the future.
"All the new fencing has been done using Duncan Horse Rail, and we'll use that throughout the property now as the standard moving forward. We have replaced countless km's of poly pipe around the farm, refurbished the stables including the drinking systems, and all the yards and boxes in the crush area where we perform our reproductive vet work, have had new plumbing and drinkers installed," said Kane.
Whilst last season saw around 70 dry mares call Wakefield home during the season, varying factors mean the numbers won't be as high this year, however that presents opportunities.
"As we all know, it's getting tougher for breeders across the board, and we are hearing the same story that many farms are hearing in that breeders are reducing the numbers they are sending out this season. As we do accommodate many interstate seasonal mares our numbers from those breeders will be down slightly, however that presents opportunities elsewhere on the farm for us to utilise the improved facilities," Kane said.
One such area that is now up and running is the new spelling facility on the farm, that can accommodate 30-35 horses at any time.
"When we took over, one area that we identified straight away as needing some changes made, was the old day yard area. It was tired and run-down and needed a complete revamp, which it's had now. We left it alone during last season as the ground needed a break from horses and time to regenerate, so we sprayed the weeds out and pulled down all the fencing, and with some configuration changes we have an area consisting of eighteen individual yards all with new Duncan Horse Rail fencing, and numerous paddocks we can use for group spelling also," said Kane.
"We relocated some of our existing Middlebrook Valley Lodge spellers over there over the past few weeks and everything has gone well, so now we're opening it up to new outside clients and trainers to spell their horses there as well.
"The horses do so well at Wakefield. The whole valley from our end all the way down past Yarraman and through the back of Aberdeen, it's just such fertile land that produces good horses consistently."
Along with the new spelling facility, after a 'soft launch' of the Redbank Estate area on farm also last year, Kane says that part of the business is also ready to release to the public for their use.
"Aside from the horses, Redbank Estate is the jewel in the crown of Wakefield Stud," he said.
"A magnificent, renovated homestead that sleeps up to 16 people, the Estate is ready for the public to utilise, and is perfect for groups that want to attend Scone Cup and/or the yearly stallion parade weekend for example. In fact, it is available for the upcoming stallion parade weekend next month, and can be booked through the website if anyone wants to avail themselves of it."
With numerous groups staying at the Estate since last year, the feedback has been understandably positive.
"It's a magnificent property. When I was shown around by Hamish Firth of Ray White last year, I was blown away by the size and the quality of it all. It has so many different uses, and every group that has used it has given us positive feedback across the board," Kane said.
"We're in the process of appointing a manager to run Redbank Estate, and there are some exciting things in the pipeline that we will work on with them when they come on board-so watch this space!" See for yourself... https://redbank.estate/
Bookings for Redbank Estate can be made by contacting (02) 6545 0270, and anyone wanting to send mares for the season or spellers to either Wakefield Stud or Middlebrook Valley Lodge, can contact Bernie on 0472 832 199.
