Sledmere Stud
Featured Image: Catriona and Royston Murphy
See also ‘Sailor’s Guide’ in this ‘blog’; probably the best racehorse bred at Sledmere
See: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/sailors-guide/
See also:
Sledmere Stud on the outskirts of Scone has enjoyed a long and enduring history which continues to the present day. At one stage in the 20th century it was administered by Guy Raymond and (Sir) Hugh Denison. The former relocated to St Albans Geelong and the latter to pursue other interests elsewhere in the State. Guy Raymond’s daughter Miss Ann Raymond returned to Sledmere in 1974 taking possession from Maurice ‘Maurie’ Point who had successfully run it as a commercial enterprise since WW II following on from the Raymond/Denison ownership. Two of the best horse bred there were international champion Sailor’s Guide (See Featured Image) and Golden Slipper winner (1968) Royal Parma.
Sledmere is now under the stewardship of Miss Ann Raymond’s niece Catriona Murphy and husband Royston Murphy. Catriona has a pedigree steeped in thoroughbred history herself. Her late father Jamie Mackay from Dungog was an International Polo Player and all round horseman. He succeeded his own father Ken Mackay. Other family relatives on the Mackay side included W H Mackay (Tinagroo), Bob Mackay (Tinagroo) and F K Mackay (Scrumlo and Mullee). Catriona’s brother Jock Mackay is back on the family farm ‘Cangon’ at Dungog; also a commercial thoroughbred and Polo Pony enterprise.
Catriona’s maternal grandfather Guy Raymond ran St Albans at Geelong and produced 1948 Melbourne Cup winner Rimfire. The immortal Phar Lap was secreted away at St Albans when threatened by gunmen before the Melbourne Cup in the early 1930s. Baby Michael Raymond was allowed to be placed on his back; ‘to ride him’! Catriona’s mother Judith Downey was a successful breeder of thoroughbreds herself while her brother Tony Downey also bred thoroughbreds in Victoria.
Sledmere Stud in 2017
See: http://sledmerestud.com.au/
Welcome to Sledmere Stud, situated in the pristine Upper Hunter Valley of NSW at Scone, in the horse capital of Australia.
The stud has an illustrious history as a thoroughbred nursery and has been specifically developed to accommodate the needs of thoroughbreds.
With the passing of Ann Raymond, long-standing breeder and principal of Sledmere Stud, Catriona Murphy and her husband Royston has been entrusted with responsibility of maintaining the future success of Sledmere Stud.
Their extensive industry experience enthusiasm and dedication to the thoroughbred industry ushers in an exciting new era for the stud and more importantly for its clients.
Sledmere Stud prides itself on attention to detail and personable one-on-one service and advice for our clients. We specialise in short and long term broodmare agistment, yearling preparation, spelling and injury recovery, and rehabilitation.
Our goal at Sledmere is simple: To breed and raise sound, healthy and on-type horses that will command top dollar in the ring and will ultimately graduate to racetrack success.