Scone Revitalisation Project

Featured Image: Artists Impression St Aubin’s Town Square

I’ve written extensive ‘blogs’ about this subject. I’m grateful to the Scone Chamber of Commerce and Industry plus the Upper Hunter Shire Council for further enlightenment. This has been a long journey and many constituent elements had to be resolved before arriving at the ‘final solution’. Fundamental was the removal of the massive heavy vehicle component through the Kelly Street corridor; the social, cultural, and economic epicentre of the town and district. 1.4 million per annum was far too many. This necessitated the construction of Scone Bypass as an essential pre-requisite.

See also: Scone CBD Revitalisation – UHSC (nsw.gov.au)

See also: Scone_MP-Report_160705_Final.indd (nsw.gov.au)

See also: Scone Revitalisation Project – November Update – Scone Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc

I’ve lived in Scone for over 56+ years and like to think I’ve played my part.

See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/why-scone-2024/

See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/new-england-highway-bypass-of-scone/

See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/equine-walk-of-fame/

See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/horse-heritage-precinct-scone/

See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/scone-nursery-of-champions/

See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/hoof-prints-leaving-a-legacy/

See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/hoof-prints/

 

Sydney Spring Racing Carnival 2023 ‘Higher Than Everest’

See: Record highs at the Sydney Everest Carnival (justhorseracing.com.au)

Record highs at the Sydney Everest Carnival

Posted by: Bernard Kenny at 9:56am on 12/11/2023

Posted in: Horse Racing News

 

FEATURED IMAGE: STEVE HART

“The 2023 Sydney Everest Carnival was Sydney’s biggest and best Spring on record, with record participation and prizemoney complemented by world-class competition.”

James Ross, ATC Head of Racing and Wagering further stated “a total of 29 Group and Listed races including six Group 1 events were contested, with 21 races worth $1m or more.”

“We expect several of our races feature in the world’s top 100, with the TAB Everest the world’s highest rated sprint race, and including the $5m King Charles III Stakes being very successful.”

“The strength of Sydney’s biggest training centre Warwick Farm was further highlighted with Joe Pride leading in first and third in the TAB Everest, with a third of the field from the centre.”

“The stature of the James Squire Golden Eagle again rose significantly with international participation and victory for Japan leading to increased engagement from the Japanese market.

$87m in prizemoney was won from 16 September to 11 November, including the world’s richest turf race the $20m TAB Everest and second richest race the $10m James Squire Golden Eagle.

12 weeks of world-class racing which concluded with significant increases across key areas, including a new record crowd for modern-day Royal Randwick of 46,498 people on TAB Everest Day.

In all, Racing NSW’S increased investment in the $87m Sydney Everest Carnival at Rosehill Gardens and Royal Randwick has set a new level for Spring racing that’s been extremely Successful.

On the scoreboard, Nash Rawiller finished first as the Carnival’s Leading Jockey on 66 points with 14 wins, based on the 3-2-1 system, with Jason Collett second on 41 points and 5 wins.

Sydney’s 13-time premiership trainer Chris Waller was the Leading Trainers on 66 points with 12 wins with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott second with 42 points having had 9 race wins.

Again, it was Chris Waller as Leading Group 1 Trainer with Rediener, Militarize and Fangirl and Adam Hyeronimus as Leading Group 1 Jockey with wins on Tom Kitten and Tropical Squall.

Across this 2023 Sydney Everest Carnival a total of 1512 acceptances were taken, up by 129 horses from the previous Spring, while nominations increased to 2803, up from 2520 last year.

The 11th $20m TAB Everest was won by the Warwick Farm and Joe Pride trained Think About It, ridden by Sam Clipperton, and the $10m James Squire Golden Eagle by Japan’s Obamburumai.

Trained by Keiji Yoshimura and ridden by Josh Parr, Obamburumai headed the eleven internationals at the Carnival, with 12 arrived for the Spring Carnival, and 10 to continue racing in Sydney.

The Sydney Everest Carnival was signifyingly enhanced with the Group 1 $5m King Charles III Stakes on TAB Everest Day, won by Fangirl for Chris Waller and champion jockey James McDonald.

Two of the Australian Turf Club’s flagship races, the Group 1 $1.5m TAB Epsom and Group 1 $750,000 James Squire Metropolitan were won by Sydney trainers and two Sydney  emale jockeys.

Kathy O’Hara took out the ATB Epsom in the Chris Waller trained Rediener, and Just Fine ridden by Rachel King for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott saluted in the James Squire Metropolitan.

The Group 1 Darley Flight Stakes was won by Adam Hyeronimus on Tropical Squall for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, and on Tom Kitten for James Cummings and owner breeder Godolphin.

Nash Rawiller also took out the Group 1 $1m Moët & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes on Tom Kitten, while he won the new Carnival feature $1m 7 Stakes on Think It Over for trainer Kerry Parker.

 

The Goulds in the Hunter Region of NSW 1839 – 1840

See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/coxens-of-yarrandi/

Featured Image:

LHS: ‘Birdman’ John Gould at the age of 45 by T H Maguire

RHS: Elizabeth Gould in a portrait after her death at the age of 37. The cockatiel she holds was one of those brought back from Australia.

Gratefully Acknowledge:

Albrecht, based on the map ‘Journeys on horseback, Hunter/Goulburn Valley, NSW,, December 1842 – March 1943 in Aurousseau 1968, p. 610 and map ‘Probable Arrangements of the Hunter River Delta, circa 1800’ in ‘Inquiry into Pollution. Kooragang Island’ E. J. Coffey (Commissioner), 1973, p. 20)

Naturae Number 2, ‘The Goulds in the Hunter Region of NSW, 1839 – 1840’ by Glenn and Jillian Albrecht, August 1992. ISSN 1038-5371. ISBN 0 7326 0411 7

John and Elizabeth Gould were married in 1829 both aged 25. Elizabeth Gould’s brothers Charles and Stephen Coxen had already emigrated to Australia taking up land in the Dartbrook region of the Upper Hunter Valley in NSW. (See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/coxens-of-yarrandi/). Charles Coxen had been requested by the Zoological Society in London to study and collect native species of Australian birds.

During their peripatetic sojourn in the Upper Hunter and the Liverpool Plains 1839/1840 the Gould’s were able to describe, document and record at least 106 local species. (See pp. 27 – 34 of Naturae Number 2, ‘The Goulds in the Hunter Region of NSW, 1839 – 1840’ by Glenn and Jillian Albrecht, August 1992. ISSN 1038-5371. ISBN 0 7326 0411 7.

This was the foundation of the epic “The Birds of Australia 1840 – 1848”, 7 Volumes, London. Glenn and Jillian Albrecht conclude: ‘How fortunate that a major part of their Australian visit was spent in a region in which such natural abundance, in such a favourable season. We may indeed be grateful that circumstances guided John and Elizabeth Gould to the Hunter Region in 1839-40’.

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Dr Michael Robinson – Equine Veterinary Polymath Extraordinaire

Featured Image: Dr Michael Robinson and ‘friend’

If there was no such thing as a polymath, it would have to have been invented for Michael Robinson. My old boss Murray Bain said this was the ultimate outcome of positive thought. I once aspired to it, but I think I left my run too late. I started with Descartes: “I think, therefore I am”. I horrified my children with my retort: “I stink, therefore I was”! Maybe the building blocks weren’t aligned in the first place?

See: Dr Michael Robinson – EQUITANA Melbourne

I encountered Michael at the Beijing Jockey Club when he was representing Randwick Equine Centre there. Somehow it was no surprise. My old colleague and partner in veterinary practice Tony Parker alerted me to him saying he was ‘something special’. Tony was right. I was with a delegation from the Australian Stock Horse Society based in Scone. Our paths have crossed several times since.

These days Michael is with ‘Randlab’. See: Randlab randlab@randlab.com.au

His regular ‘editorials’ in the company newsletters are erudite, edifying, educational, illuminating, and informative. I look forward to reading them when safely landed in my inbox. I especially enjoyed his soliloquy on the history of the veterinary profession (‘Farriery’) and its ultimate expression in Dr Rick Redin who has visited Scone and presented a ‘hands on’ seminar at Emirates Park, Blandford arranged by Billy Neville and Dr John Greathead.

Bio

He was accepted into the veterinary science program at the University of Sydney in 1980 and later also obtained his PhD from the University of Sydney. Upon graduating, Michael worked at the world-renowned sports/performance horse practice P.E. Sykes & Partners (now Randwick Equine Centre). During his time at the Randwick Equine Centre, Michael was responsible for the veterinary care of some of the best racehorses, standardbreds and eventing horses of that era. Michael was the first veterinarian to use ultrasound to diagnose tendon, ligament, and joint problems in the Southern Hemisphere. He was also instrumental in introducing the first bone scanner (nuclear scintigraphy) unit in Australasia.

Michael has worked as an equine veterinarian in China, Dubai, Qatar and Spain and as an official treating veterinarian at the Asian Games. In China he was Head of the Veterinary Department at the Beijing Jockey Club and responsible for the health and welfare of over 3500 horses. He was also head regulatory veterinarian at the Jockey Club. In 2012, Michael left veterinary science to pursue a long time passion for training racehorses. Entering into a training partnership that achieved top 10 status in the highly competitive Sydney Trainers’ Premiership.

In 2016, Michael joined the Australian-based international equine pharmaceutical company Randlab as its Global Technical Director/Veterinarian. Randlab has facilitated gastroscopies on over 7500 horses and has assembled the largest collection of data on Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome that has been gathered. His current job allows Michael to travel extensively both within Australasia and around the world and meet horse experts of all disciplines.

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Why Scone 2024?

See also: https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/scone-nsw

See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scone,_New_South_Wales

See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/scone-revitalisation-project/

I wrote the first draft of this in 2004. At that time, I quoted the National Farmers Federation’s definition of an ‘ideal’ country town as:

‘Vibrant local volunteer community concerned with health care, aged care, education, employment, adequate policing, public transport and committed to arranging events such as shows, gymkhanas and tennis tournaments’ [NFF 21/07/04]

Featured Image: Scone Horse Festival Parade

‘Points of difference’ – some generic – some specific – some repetitive:

• Family ties and reunions
• Objective perception by visitors
• Area of great natural beauty
• Attractive location/destination
• Active service, sporting and cultural clubs [Bridge, ADFAS etc.]
• Exceptional sporting facilities
• ‘Affordability’
• Proximity to major centres – Sydney, Newcastle, Coast, New England
• Public transport access to above – Cityrail, Buses, Planes
• Proximity to areas of ‘exceptional’ natural beauty: Barrington Tops, Glenbawn etc.
• Perceived area profile and reputation – ‘Horse Capital of Australia’
• Graziers/farmers preferred retirement option
• Downsizing farm
• ‘Country change’ flow out and flow on [C/f and contrast ‘Sea change’]
• Pristine pollution-free healthy environment, climate and lifestyle – ‘healthy clean green perception’
• ‘Like minded’ community cohort and attractions
• Access to health care facilities and services:
• Doctors
• Dentists
• Nurses
• Hospital
• Aged Care Facility
• Home Care
• Physiotherapists/Occupational Therapists etc.

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Greater & Lesser Gutsbys

See: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/chris-winters-barbers-shop-and-maternity-ward/

Chris Winter and I shared a few anecdotes.

We invented a rating for the ‘Great Gutsby’, the ‘Greater Gutsby’ and the ‘Greatest Gutsby’. F Scott Fitzgerald wrote brilliantly about the Great Gatsby (Jay Gatsby) in New York, but we didn’t have any of those, so we countered with our local variety of which there were plenty. We both arrived at the same decision(s) for clear winners in each category.

Only recently I met our mutually selected ‘Greatest Gutsby’ outside the Scone Post Office. Where else in Scone! He was still a ‘Gutsby’, but not now the ‘greatest’. His midriff reduction strategies have been working. Perhaps its ‘Man Shake’? The Man Shake | Weight Loss Shakes For Men and More It could be to do with the fact he’s no longer working in a pub?

It set me thinking. I believe there’s a ‘Lesser Bustard’ (Bird) in Australia? Like many species, the original Greater Bustards were driven to extinction for being too ponderous, fat, and slow. There could be some lessons there. As soon as ‘Whitefellas’ introduced guns, many species succumbed. I contacted Chris and suggested we should introduce a new category of Lesser (Great) Gutsbys. There are plenty of obesity candidates out there including a few of our elected (political) brethren. The leader of the United Australia Party who likes you to vote ‘no’ and claims all the credit springs to mind. It might remind us of our corpulent cadre and that we can do better. Guilty as charged.

See: obesity – Bing images

Sellwood at St Aubins

See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/nifty-neville-sellwood-scone-st-aubins-racetrack-1939/

See also:  https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/hats-were-gone-with-the-wind/

Scone Hospital Racing Club (Registered A.J.C. and N.W.D.R.A.) Office-Bearers-1939 President: Mr. W.J. Smith, Vice-Presidents: Sir Hugh Denison, Mr. A.E. Cooper, Mr. P. Miller, Mr. W.T. Badgery, Mr. W.H. Mackay. Committee: Messrs. F.L. Bragg, A.W. Riddle, J.L. Raymond, L.W. Davies, S. Johnston, J.F. Morris, F.J. Whyte. Judge: Mr. A.W. Riddle. Hon. Surgeons: Drs. W.O. Pye, E.S. Stuckey and O. Barton. Stipendiary Steward: Mr. R.G. Lackey. Detective and Starter: Mr. F. Lane. Handicapper: Mr. H.V. Kelaher. Clerk of Course: Mr. S. Clark. Clerk of Scales: Mr. G.A. Cumberland. Official Timekeeper: Mr. H.V. Cooper. Hon. Consulting Veterinary Surgeon: Mr. W.K. Goodsir. Hon. Treasurers: Messrs. G.N. Lochhead and C.A. Gracie. Hon. Secretary: Mr. Stan. G. Keene. Hon. Ass. Secretary: Mr .J.A. Simpson.

Max Presnell SMH (‘in conversation’) has confirmed that future great international jockey Neville Sellwood rode at the meeting without landing a winner; finishing third in Race 2 (‘Hasten’), second in Race 5 (‘The Ped’) and unplaced in Race 7 (‘Miss Sal’). His mounts were owned by Mr A E Cooper of ‘Alabama’ who also hosted race meetings post-WWII. The trainer of all three was S Thomas who also won with Mr A E Cooper’s ‘Dangar Mark’ winning two races on the day.

Results

1. Maiden Handicap 4 3/4 Furlongs. £10, £3, £2. 1/1 Danger Mark, Mr. A.E. Cooper’s ch g, 6yrs. Trainer: S. Thomas. by Heroic-Willow Queen, 8.13 (K. Hasler) 1 6/1 Chippani, Mr. F.P. Crittenden’s ch f, 3yrs. Trainer: G.F. Gorrie. by Illiad-Gobble, 8.0 (W.Webb) 10/1 White Park, Miss M. Johnston’s b h, 5yrs. Trainer: S. Johnston. by Parkville – Lady Butler, 8.0 (C. Morcello). Other starters: Coradgery, 8.9 (L. Duncombe); Blue Idol 8.0 (V. Daniels); Maeranie, 8.0 (A. McHugh); Toosoon, 8.0 (R. Smart); Don Loola, 8.0 (J. Donaldson); Larwood, 8.0 (E. Mills); Gee Golly, 7.7 (N. Bradbury). Time: 59sec.
2. Northern Traveler’s’ Flying Handicap 6 Furlongs. £40, £7, £3. 4/1 Golden Glass, Mr. S.R. Johnston’s ch g, 6yrs. Trainer: S. Johnston. by Luigi-Venetian Glass, 7.0 (L. Duncombe 1 6/1 Babili, Mr. J. Scully’s br h, aged. Trainer: W,Craigie. by Promised Land-Babylon, 9.0 (E.Mills) 2 2/1 Bonnie Don, Mr. A. McLean’s br g, 5yrs. Trainer: H. McLean. by Dunnottar – College Belle, 8.9 (A. McHugh) 3 Other starters: Joan Darling, 9.1 (J. McDonald), Spear Gold, 8.7 (P. Lawrence). Time: 1.15.
3. Nurses’ Handicap 4-3/4 Furlongs. £10, £3, £2. 5/2 Bill Gauntlet, Mrs. E.M. Stewart’s b g, aged. Trainer: E. Stewart. by Red Gauntlet-Lindrum mare, 8.5 (C. Morcello) 1 5/2 Bowlalong, Mr.C.Duff’s br g, 4yrs. Trainer: C. Williams. by Baralong-Grand Lady, 7.13 (N. Robinson) 2 3/1 Hasten, Mr. A.E. Cooper’s b f, 3yrs. Trainer: S. Thomas. by Baralong-Fleetfoot, 7.7 (N. Sellwood) 3 Other starters: Futurist, 8.9 (—Young); Caisson, 8.7 (N. Bradbury); Fifty Grand, 8.5 (E. Mills); Prapser, 7.7 (A. McHue). Time: 59sec.
4. The Corinthian Handicap 6 Furlongs. £20, £3, £2. 3/1 Danger Mark, Mr. A.E. Cooper’s ch g, 6yrs. Trainer: S. Thomas. by HeroicWillow Queen, 9.10, inc. 7lb pen. and 3lb over (Mr L. Melvil 1 1/1 Lady Vamp, Mr. J.K. Lynch’s b m, aged. Trainer: W. Paul. by Nassau- Vamp, 10.1(Mr. J. Lynch) 2 7/2 Lady Kerabee, Mrs. R. Gilder’s br m, aged. Trainer: I. Ward. by Rivoli- Flower, 10.10 (Mr. F. Bell)3 Other starters: Gramme, 9.0 (Mr. R. Weber); Affluence, 9.0 (Mr. A. Holman). Time: 1-16½.
5. Scott Memorial Scone Hospital Handicap 1mile 15yards. £60, £10, £5. 4/5 Housemaster, Mr. G.R. White’s ch g, 6yrs. Trainer: J. Hobson. by Chief Ruler- Fillette, 61 8.7 (K. Shelley 1 2/1 The Ped, Mr. A.E. Cooper’s ch g, 5yrs. Trainer: S. Thomas. by Grand Joy- Fleetfoot, 8.2 (N. Sellwood) 2 10/1 Nargong, Mr. S. McDonough’s ch m, aged. Trainer: J. Cavanagh. by Blue Flame- Calcite, 7.0 (L. Duncombe) 3 Other starters: Mannaland, 7.9 (C. Morcello); Sir Rawson, 7.3(L. Booby); Had, 7.2 (N. Robinson). Time: 1.41½.
6. Welter Handicap First Division 6 Furlongs. £10, £2, £1/3/4. 2/1 Bonnie Don, Mr. A. McLean’s br g, 5yrs. Trainer: H. McLean. by DunnottarCollege Belle, 10.7 (E. Mills) 1 3/1 Valdrain, Mr. R.A. Hawker’s ch g, aged. Trainer: J. Cavanagh. by King ValNeandria, 9.3 (C. Morcello) 2 6/1 Lady Kerabee, Mrs. R. Gilder’s br m, aged. Trainer: I. Ward. by Rivoli- Flower, 9.10 (W. Donaldson) 3 Other starters: Scarlet Line, 9.7 (-Shelly); Molly’s Frill, 8.11(R. Collins); Improve, 8.0 (J. Shaw). Time: 1.16½.
7. Welter Handicap Second Division £10, £2, £1/3/4. 6/4 Broadway Rose, Mr. T.J. Nugent’s b m, 5yrs. by Grosvenor- Gay Vixen, 8.0 (L. Duncombe) Trainer: T. Nugent1 10/1 Lady Vamp, Mr. J.K. Lynch’s b m, aged. Trainer: W. Paul. by Nassau- Vamp, 9.1 (L. Kennedy) 2 3/1 Goorka, Mr. Phil Reynold’s b g, aged. Trainer: P. Reynolds. by Ghurka-Wild Night, 9.10 (E. Reynolds3 Other starters: Our Voyage, 8.8 (A. Clifford); Miss Sal, 8.3 (N. Sellwood). Time: 1.15.

Featured Image: Scone Hospital Racing Club 1939:  Did the 16-year-old apprentice ride at St Aubins Racetrack SCONE in 1939?

See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Scones-Racing-History-2nd-Edition-.pdf pp 68 -70

See also:  https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/hats-were-gone-with-the-wind/

This meeting marked the rebirth of racing in Scone after a dormant period of a few years. Local agent Stan Keene ignited debate only about three months before the meeting took place. W J Smith of St Aubins generously agreed to host the meeting at his private track.

The winners on the day were:

1. Maiden Handicap 4 ¾ Furlongs; Mr A E Cooper’s ch g 6yrs ‘Dangar Mark’
2. Northern Travellers’ Flying Handicap 6 furlongs; Mr S R Johnston’s ch g 6yrs ‘Golden Glass’
3. Nurse’s Handicap 4 ¾ Furlongs Mrs E M Stewart’s b g aged ‘Bill Gauntlet’
4. The Corinthian Handicap 6 Furlongs Mr A E Cooper’s ch g 6yrs ‘Dangar Mark’
5. Scott Memorial Scone Hospital Handicap 1 mile 15 yards; Mr G R White’s ‘Housemaster’
6. Welter Handicap First Division 6 Furlongs; Mr A McLean’s br g 5yrs ‘Bonnie Don’
7. Welter Handicap Second Division 6 Furlongs; Mr T J Nugent’s b m 5yrs ‘Broadway Rose’

Neville Sellwood?

Is it possible that the future great international jockey Neville Sellwood rode at the meeting without landing a winner; finishing third in Race 2 (‘Hasten’), second in Race 5 (‘The Ped’) and unplaced in Race 7 (‘Miss Sal’). His mounts were owned by Mr A E Cooper of ‘Alabama’ who also hosted race meetings post-WWII. He was listed as N Sellwood and I have been unable to confirm (or deny) this is one and the same person? The trainer of all three was S Thomas who also won with Mr A E Cooper’s ‘Dangar Mark’ winning two races on the day.

Neville Sellwood would have been a 16 year old apprentice on 26 August 1939. He rode his first winner ‘Ourimbah’ at Doomben, Brisbane on 11 March 1939 when apprenticed to Jim Shean.

See: http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/sellwood-neville-francis-11656

The committee organising the Scone Hospital Racing Club’s opening meeting was both ‘heavyweight’ and influential. It was loaded with leviathan thoroughbred racing and breeding men of the day including President Mr W J ‘Knockout’ Smith (St Aubins Stud), Sir Hugh Denison (Sledmere), Mr A E Cooper (Alabama), Mr P Miller (Kia Ora), Mr W H Mackay (Tinagroo), Messrs F L Bragg (Rossgole), A W Riddle (Kia Ora), J L Raymond (Sledmere) and L W Davies (Yarrandi). Any one of them could have enticed the very promising Brisbane apprentice to ride at Scone. The most obvious candidate is Mr A E Cooper of ‘Alabama’ for whom ‘N Sellwood’ rode three starters. How likely is it that there were two ‘N Sellwoods’ around at this time? I prefer to believe that the emerging superstar graced the meeting with his presence. In 1939 no-one would have been any the wiser?

Equine Walk of Fame

See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/installation-of-the-equine-walk-of-fame-plaques/

See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/horse-heritage-precinct-scone/

See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/scone-nursery-of-champions/

Very soon we will see 113 bronze plaques embedded in the pathways of Kelly Street, Scone. These are the culmination of several years planning, cajoling and prodding. The categories of famous horses are summarised thus:

Featured Image: ‘I Am Invincible’ Plaque (draft) Scale = 380mm vertical x 280mm horizontal

Scone Equine Walk of Fame Horse Summary:

Category	Number of Plaques	Sub-total(s)	Distribution (Placement)
Thoroughbred Racehorses	38		Liverpool to St Aubins, West
Champion Thoroughbred Sires	29		Kingdon to Liverpool, West
Australian Stock Horses	20		Liverpool to St Aubins, East
Performance/Other Horses	21		Kingdon to Liverpool, East
	(Light Horse)	(4)	War Memorial
	(Polo)	(11)	Kingdon to Liverpool, East
	(Olympian/Equestrian)	(6)	Kingdon to Liverpool, East
SHF Horse of the Year	5		St Aubins Square
Total(s)	113	(21)

Although this project has been many years in the making the following have contributed most significantly to eventual delivery in its current format. These include most importantly Jill Macintyre** and Peter Haydon***. Others were Julianne Christopher (HTBA), Steve Guihot (ASHS) and latterly Andrew Cooper** (ASHS), Alan Fletcher, David Gatwood, Belinda Oltenue and Tracey Warner (all UHSC). Chloe Leake (***) and Allan Greer (both UHSC) have been outstanding in driving the concept to fruition.

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Verna Metcalfe Honoured by HTBA

Media Release – Monday May 16, 2016

See also: Verna Metcalfe honoured by Hunter racing industry | The Land | NSW

See also: Alma Vale Thoroughbreds and Kitchwin Hills Join Forces | Breednet

Featured Image: Courtesy of ‘The Land’ newspaper and Virginia Harvey

This year’s (2016) Murray Bain Service Award recipient is a highly respected and valued member of the Hunter’s thoroughbred breeding industry who has worked expertly and tirelessly in all aspects of thoroughbred foaling, broodmare management, sales preparation and general horse care – Ms Verna Metcalfe.

Ms Verna Metcalfe is a veteran of our industry who’s finely honed skills and “hands-on” experience in thoroughbred care and welfare is both highly respected and sought after.

Over the past 30 years, Ms Metcalfe has demonstrated a commitment and passion for the care and welfare of mares and foals, foal fostering and many other aspects of stud work.

Whether it was at the Manado Stud farm at Sandy Hollow, the Newhaven Park Stud where she worked with the Kelly family, the Widden Stud farm, the Woodlands’ Stud farm, under the tutelage of the late Peter Flynn or her work with John Vincent, Ms Metcalfe has demonstrated a unique affinity for the foaling and after care of broodmares and a passion for reproductive work on mares who find it difficult to conceive.

It was at the Woodlands Stud where Verna first became involved with what is now commonly known as foal fostering. This was then a new initiative. Ms Metcalfe’s skills in this area, coupled with her record of foaling down more than 350 mares each year, are second to none and set a shining example of professionalism in our industry.

Together with her husband David, Verna Metcalfe established and designed Lurline Lodge (now Amarina Farm) and for the past eight years has managed Middlebrook Valley Lodge earning an enviable reputation exceptional care and attention to foals and yearlings.

The HTBA is very pleased to honour Ms Verna Metcalfe for her “hands on” dedication, passion and professionalism and award her the 2016 HTBA Murray Bain Service Award.

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