THE PRESENT
The property known as Burnewang North has been tightly held since the Hunter’s relinquished their ownership in around 1950.
The Hains family became involved in 2001 and ran the property as a hub for some stallions whilst maintaining their flagship property at Merricks North for their racing stock. Kingston Park and my father David Hains’ great contributions to the racing industry in Australia have been well documented and that part of our history is deeply entrenched in the Mornington Peninsula.
I purchased Burnewang North from family interests in 2006 with a view to establishing a fully commercial operation across a variety of facets of farming. Over the next few years we restocked, beginning by procuring a small broodmare band which has grown in numbers and quality from modest beginnings. We believe Burnewang North is now producing some quality weanlings and yearlings who have found favour with leading buyers and syndicators in recent years, so we hope the best is yet to come.
Our broodmare band has been carefully collated since our reinvention in 2006/2007 with professional advice from the late and great Steve Brem. A number of these foundation mares were owned in partnership with our good friend Eric Lucas who is a well known participant in Australian and international breeding and racing circles. Both Steve and Eric were supportive and enthusiastic parts of the Burnewang North Story from inception.
Our current privately owned broodmare band is concentrating on quality and recent upgrades include purchases from Tattersalls UK, Arqana France and some private purchases brokered by Paul Moroney Bloodstock.
Burnewang North also run a commercial cropping and livestock operation which are both great contributers to our commercial mixed farming operation.
Our horses are grown with the utmost attention to every aspect of their well-being by a dedicated group of experienced carers under the management of Emma and Aaron Todd.
They develop under what we consider to be the optimal growing conditions of Far Northern Victoria and are raised in small groups on large clean paddocks. They are handled regularly as foals and our limited number permit the luxury of extra care, attention and education well before they are weaned.
Our nutrition programme is based on the quality dryland and irrigated Lucerne crops we grow. The reliable dry climate and great depth of soil result in good root penetration providing ideal conditions for growing lucerne. Lucerne’s high protein levels provide ideal building blocks for the most crucial stages of the horses’ development (in utero to 12 months old).
I believe there is no better place to raise horses than this exceptional property and we will continue to strive to make the most of the great natural opportunities here.
Catherine Hains
