2010 Hunter Valley Horse & Wine Tour Review
Monday
13
September, 2010:
Our very popular Hunter Valley Horse and Wine
Tour has concluded for another year with plans for next years tour underway.
This year the group stayed at new venue, the Tuscany Wine Estate in the
heart of Wine Country in the beautiful Pokolbin Valley. We were well fed and
watered at The Mill Restaurant and the Brokenback Bar.
Saturday commenced with a hearty breakfast, before heading to
Coolmore Stud at Jerry’s Plains where we were hosted by my old Eliza
Park colleague in Irishman Shane McGrath.
After being wowed by the big Coolmore stallion roster, we departed to the
Denman Pub for a bet, coupled with a nice pub style meal which was washed
down by a cold ale or three.
The remainder of Saturday afternoon was spent at Darley Stud where we were
hosted by Sally Gordon and Stuart Mackay. The group saw three
generation sires Octagonal, son Lonhro and grand son Denman.
Sunday featured a visit to Arrowfield Stud, where we were hosted by affable
Frenchman Louis Le Mateyer.
Following a look at the Arrowfield stallions including a covering by
Starcraft, the group headed next door to inspect the Arrowfield Training
Centre, the base for Group 1 winning trainer Paul Messara.
We then ventured to Vinery Stud where we took our first look at the boom
horse Big Brown and his famous ‘go button’ (an unusual white marking
on his girth).
A visit to the Upper Hunter is never complete without a stop at the Linga
Longa Inn at Gundy. We stopped here for another fine pub meal, before
heading up the Gundy road to the beautiful Kitchwin Hills Stud.
Host Mick Malone and the team at Kitchwin were very
welcoming, and the group got up close with some lovely Dane Shadow foals,
before watching the promising young son of Danehill cover a mare.
Although impressed with Dane Shadow, the group was taken by Kitchwin’s first
season sire Duporth, who looks to have a great future in the breeding barn.
On Sunday we moved into wine mode, with tastings at three vineyards:
Tyrell’s, Audrey Wilkinson and Sadler's Creek.
Who says wine and horses don’t mix ?
Well known racing men
Brian Agnew and John Johnstone are the proprietors of Audrey
Wilkinson and Sadler's Creek.
Brian was the former boss of Wakefield Stud at Scone (breeder of Melbourne
Cup winner Subzero), whilst John Johnstone produced Golden Slipper winner Ha
Ha from his select group of broodmares.
During the tour we were moved around by the good people of Rover Coaches, a
company which was once owned by the late great George Ryder (former STC
Chairman, breeder and inventor of the Golden Slipper).
The next tour hosted by
Ontrack Thoroughbreds and managed by Zeppelin Travel will be our annual New
Zealand Horse and Wine Tour (25 – 30 November, 2010).
For a brochure or bookings visit
www.getontrack.com.au
:: Tour
Gallery
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