Written by Keely Mckitterick
Cover image courtesy of Ray White Scone
Hamish Firth of Ray White Scone has been trusted to facilitate the sale of the historic thoroughbred property Wakefield Stud. It is located in the picturesque Hunter Valley and only eight minutes from the township of Scone, the horse breeding capital of Australia.
Wakefield Stud is nestled on approximately 244 acres, underlining the quality of the property. Wakefield Stud is currently under lease to Henry Field’s juggernaut Newgate Farm, which has a lease in place to Sunday, June 30, 2024.
Hamish Firth of Ray White Scone | Image courtesy of Ray White Group
Firth told The Thoroughbred Report, “Wakefield Stud is still on the market. The thing about this property is its fantastic location. Wakefield Stud is such a short drive from the centre of Scone. The proximity is terrific.
“In addition, Wakefield Stud has a fabulous homestead on it. The house has eight bedrooms and six bathrooms, while there are 55 paddocks, 330 Meg of water and all the infrastructure needed to operate a horse stud.”
“Wakefield Stud has a fabulous homestead on it. The house has eight bedrooms and six bathrooms, while there are 55 paddocks, 330 Meg of water and all the infrastructure needed to operate a horse stud.” - Hamish Firth
Firth pointed out the easy access potential buyers would have to all the major Thoroughbred studs, such as Yarraman Park, where the reigning Champion Sire I Am Invincible resides and his Group 1-producing son Hellbent.
Alongside the proposed future upgrades of the Scone racetrack, Wakefield Stud is arguably ideally positioned for both trainers and breeders.
“I think it’s just location, location, location. Yarraman Park is approximately one kilometre down the road, making it a short trip for breeders who may want to access the stallions. At the same time, there is about to be an influx of money spent on the Scone Racecourse.
“I think it’s just location, location, location. Yarraman Park is approximately one kilometre down the road, making it a short trip for breeders who may want to access the stallions.” - Hamish Firth
“The go-ahead has been given to build 300 new boxes alongside a new Polytrack at the Scone Racecourse. These developments should attract horse people to Scone and Wakefield Stud would provide them with the opportunity to set themselves up with an amazing new base.”
Modern and old meet
Wakefield Stud mixes the new and the old in a charming twist. The original Redbank Village near the homestead dates back to 1828, and in 1834, a hospital was built on Wakefield Stud.
The existing house dates back to 1920, when William and Minnie Badgery purchased the property and began breeding thoroughbreds. In the modern era, Wakefield Stud can claim to be the breeder of one of Australia’s most popular and much-loved Subzero (Kala Dancer {GB}).
Subzero was bred at Wakefield Stud | Image courtesy of Sportpix
The late grey galloper is part of Australian racing’s folklore, having scored the 1992 G1 Melbourne Cup, the horse affectionately known as ‘Subbie’ once roamed the property.
Wakefield Stud blends lifestyle and business. For downtime, there is a 16 x 6m inground pool, a tennis court and a 28m x 5m verandah offering expansive views over the property. In addition to the substantial homestead there are three staff cottages and a stud office. While for business alongside the 55 paddocks, there are 20 stables with concrete flooring and rubber lining for safety. There is also a 12-horse walker.
As a fully functional breeding establishment, the facilities include a stallion-serving barn rubber-lined with a crush. An additional stable block measuring 26 metres x 16 metres has seven stables lined with rubber and steel mesh infill.
Gallery: Historic thoroughbred property Wakefield Stud, images courtesy of Ray White Scone
Contractors such as vets will have everything they need to perform with vet crush facilities on a concrete base plus a dedicated vet office.
With the extensive facilities and Scone location the property should appeal to buyers far and wide. Firth confirmed that in addition to local interest, New Zealand-based buyers had also looked at Wakefield.
Wakefield Stud is a thoroughbred paradise with soft alluvial creeks and rolling basalt hillside grazing country. It is the ideal location to raise the next generation of racetrack stars.
