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About Southern Cross Breeders

The marketing and selling arm of three highly regarded Hunter Valley studs - Ashleigh Thoroughbreds, Riversdale Farm and Byerley Stud - Southern Cross Breeders will be selling together again in 2007 having enjoyed outstanding results in 2006.

Members of the group have a strong commitment to improving breeding and rearing techniques. They do this by concentrating on smaller numbers of high quality thoroughbreds, each of which receives the individual attention of the stud owner. In the era of super-sized, globally owned studs, this personalised approach to both stock management and owner relationships has ensured that the members of the group are already recognised locally and internationally for their professionalism – reflected in their commercial success in an increasingly competitive market.

The results from the approach taken by these three smaller separate studs speak for themselves. They include:

  • DANNI MARTINE (Gr1 Coolmore Classic)
  • BULLA BORGHESE (Gr1 VRC Oaks)
  • LAURIE’S LOTTERY (Gr1 Doomben 10,000)
  • WILD IRIS (Gr1 AJC Australian Oaks, AJC Adrian Knox Stakes Gr3)
  • ADAM (Gr1 AJC George Main Stakes, Gr1 QTC Stradbroke, Gr2 STC Theo Marks Quality Stakes, plus five Listed races)
  • SPARK OF LIFE (Gr1 AJC Galaxy, Gr1 MVRC Manikato Stakes twice, plus 2 Gr2s, a Gr3 and a Listed)
  • ALL TIME HIGH (Gr1, 1000 Guineas)
  • LEICA FALCON (Gr2 Winning Edge)
  • FANTASIA (Gr 2 AJC Emancipation Stakes)
  • APOLLO WONDER (Gr2 MRC Bloodhorse Breeders Plate, SAJC Adelaide Guineas Listed)
  • CELESTIAL CHOIR (QTC Cup Gr2)
  • I AM A RIPPER (MVRC Champagne Stakes Gr2, VATC Angus Armanesco S Gr2, plus a Listed race)
  • ROCKFORD BAY (Gr3 Yallambee Stakes)
  • GUMNUTS (Gr3 BTC Richmond Grove Classic)
… as well as a host of other Listed winners, including VIONETTO, DREAM BALLAD, PAUL’S FOLLY, MAJOR VICTORY, NESSUNO, ST. JESSIE, NATIVE DAWN, CARETAKER, and many other stakes performers and metropolitan winners.

Ashleigh Thoroughbreds

With over 25 years experience breeding and raising top quality racehorses, owners Senga Bissett and Ivan Woodford-Smith now concentrate on managing a small number of their own quality broodmares at their stud, situated 19 kms north of Scone on the Cressfield Road. Current mares include Best Percentage, dam of Danni Martine, Rory's Ratio and Leading Bid, Fionnay, dam of Bulla Borghese and Cresta Run, and Murphy's Arch, dam of Murphy's Blu Boy. For more information on Ashleigh Thoroughbreds, please telephone (02) 6545 0283, or email sengaB@bigpond.com

Byerley Stud

Established by Martin and Jen Hawcroft in 1991, and expertly managed by Kelvin Williams, Byerley Stud lies in the heart of the fertile Upper Hunter horse country, 5 km west of Sandy Hollow. The 400 hectare property, running along the Goulburn river, is proud of its contribution to racing. With stallions Nothin’ Leica Dane and Sir Laurence, the exceptional results from horses raised on the property demonstrate Byerley’s strong commitment to improving pedigree and performance of all the bloodstock it handles. For more information on Byerley Stud, please contact Kelvin Williams, Manager, (02) 6547 4558, or email byerley@hunterlink.net.au

Riversdale Farm

Riversdale Farm, the Hodges family business for almost 25 years, specialises in foaling, handling weanlings and yearlings, sales preparation, walking on mares to stallions around the Hunter Valley, and rearing strong, well developed, well educated racehorses. With its main operation only 4 km from the centre of Scone, Riversdale offers top class thoroughbred breeding services at competitive rates. For more information on Riversdale Farm, please contact Nick Hodges, Manager, (02) 6545 2498, or email riversdale@hunterlink.net.au

Southern Cross Breeders will be selling yearlings at the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast in January 2007, the Inglis Classic Sale in February, the Easter Yearling Sale at Sydney, as well as other sales throughout the year.

The combination of years of experience and recognised skill will ensure that the Southern Cross draft presents the best yearlings at the major sales. Judging by their analytical attitude and the results members of the group have achieved in the past, an exciting future for Southern Cross Breeders seems assured.

So remember Southern Cross Breeders! Watch their yearlings parade, for these are the stars of the future!