Breeders Dig Deep for Prime Land

Media Release - Monday June 4

Two prominent Waikato thoroughbred operations have signalled a major vote of confidence in the future of the industry.

Tony RiderIn a multi-million investment, Tony Rider's Milan Park and the Hawkins family's Wentwood Grange have paid a record price of $11.1 million for a Cambridge dairy farm.

The 92.5-hectare operation, located between Maungatautari Road and the Waikato River, was recently sold at auction and will be split into two properties.

"It's on our boundary and fits in nicely with our farm," Wentwood Grange's Des Hawkins said.

"My boys are running the business now and they want to keep growing. We've been searching for more land for a year or so and this came up so we had a chat with Tony and we did the deal.

"It's a lovely bit of land, free-draining soil, and it will be split in half between Tony and us."

Advertisement

Hawkins said Wentwood Grange, who became the first New Zealand breeder of a Group One winner at Royal Ascot when Little Bridge triumphed in the 2012 King's Stand Stakes (1000m), required more land to accommodate growing numbers.

Des Hawkins"It's positive because we're getting more horses, not just our own, but clients we've got are willing to invest more and expanding their broodmare bands."

A Group One-winning breeder and owner, Rider said the new land acquisition would serve a dual purpose for his operation.

"We bought it to expand, to spread our horses and to grow more cattle.

"We always knew it was going to come up one day, and when it did, Des and I worked together and it's worked out well for both of us." – NZ Racing Desk.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Thursday August 7
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First Foal for Golden Mile – Now a Gelding
The Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas has been won in recent years by colts that have gone on to become some of our most exciting young sires - The Autumn Sun, Super Seth and Ole Kirk, but for the 2022 winner Golden Mile that path is not an option.
Zoustar Entering the Zenith
The dictionary tells us Zenith is an astronomical term —describing the highest point in an arc travelled by a star, planet or another celestial body- and in the case of this story it’s planet Zoustar!
Wootton Bassett Set to Blast Out of Winter
Many people may have anticipated Wootton Bassett (GB) would have been our Champion Australian First Season Sire last season and while that didn’t quite eventuate, he did finish the season with a wealth of horses holding spring potential and several were in action at the trials this morning.
2025 Cox Plate Entries – Who are the 3YO Cox Plate Dreamers?
108 entries have been received for the 2025 Group I MVRC Cox Plate (2040m) to be run on October 25 with a galaxy of stars that include 11 overseas contenders and a group of new season 3YO’s.
Extremely Good Week!
It’s been a memorable week for Star Thoroughbreds having sold their multiple Group winning mare Olentia for $2.6million and then the purple and white stars were back in the winner’s circle at Canterbury on Wednesday carried by 3YO Extreme Choice colt Estremo.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 6
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Racing’s Night of Champions August 28
45 of the top horses in Australia will be recognised for outstanding performances during the 2024/2025 racing season at Racing’s Night of Champions.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for last season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end this season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
First Godolphin Winner for Maher
Champion trainer Ciaron Maher saddled his first winner for Godolphin at Kembla on Thursday and he did it with a blue-blood colt by Too Darn Hot (GB).