Thoroughbred Stud Tours – a unique Upper Hunter Country experience

The Upper Hunter is home to unique Australian heritage and history, home to iconic world renowned horse studs and award winning wineries... nestled in the Hunter Valley surrounded by the Wollemi National Park which is part of the Greater Blue Mountains Heritage Area and the Barrington Tops National Park ... an unparalleled visitor experience.

Jerrys Plains is the gateway to the Upper Hunter. Horse Country stretching west though Denman to Widden and Bylong Valley, east to Muswellbrook and Aberdeen, north through Australia’s horse capital of Scone and on to Segenhoe, Gundy and Murrurundi.

Every stud tour is a unique experience.

Each stud is a working business, some are owned and operated by a family over generations, others are private businesses or companies with Australian and /or international interests.

Each farm has its own story to tell, from its history and heritage, to farm buildings, architecturally designed stallion barns and landscaping, through to the stud’s role in Australia’s national and international breeding and racing scene.

The Upper Hunter Country is home to more than 200 thoroughbred stud businesses and the centre of Australia’s multi-billion dollar thoroughbred breeding industry and equine critical industry cluster.

The origins of the Hunter Valley’s stud industry date back nearly 200 years, and is the second largest concentration of thoroughbred studs in the world – alongside Kentucky in the USA.

The studs are open all year for business.

Tours can be booked through commercial accredited operators such as Upper Hunter Tours for package deals and groups or the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association (HTBA).

You do not need to know about horses or the Upper Hunter, the stud tours will take you on that unique journey.

Tours are by appointment only and are to be booked 5 days in advance where possible, to avoid disappointment.

To enquire about booking a Stud Tour please contact one of the following:

•Upper Hunter Tours (Thoroughbred Studs and Wineries) group packages:

+61 (0) 417 439 776 email horse@hunterlink.net.au;

•HTBA events@htba.com.au or +61 (0) 488 150 133 

Visit the HTBA website to find out more

•1 of 3 internationally recognised breeding centres in the world etc

• Dominated by picturesque pristine landscape – river flats, rolling to steep hills, limestone soil – all play a key role in the breeding of champions etc

• Many of the studs in the Hunter Valley, are similar to the top studs in Kentucky USA and Newmarket England, have a strong and distinctive brand image which underlies their commercial value. An essential part of this image is the attractive landscape setting in which the studs are located as well as the high visual quality of the stud itself…. evident as you take your virtual tour or drive through the Upper Hunter.

• Hunter Valley studs are an Integrated network – including small family broodmare farms to large international, privately owned.

• Please note that all Hunter Valley Studs are privately owned commercial operating businesses and no public access for safety and security reasons, should you wish to book a personalised tour of a stud please contact the HTBA or Upper Hunter Tours via www.htba.com.au