Redbank North’s 1300 acres (520 hectares) have for over 100 years been recognised as some of this country’s finest grazing land. James and Fiona Middleton became the landowners and operators of Redbank North in 1979.
For the past 35 years some of these acres have provided the ideal environment for spelling racehorses and broodmares. Due to the success of this spelling operation the horse area was increased in 1998 to provide a natural environment for the growing out of weanlings and yearlings.
To complete this picture, the Middleton family purchased Wirrilla in 2007, an additional 520 acres (208 hectares) of rich alluvial river flats on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River.
Whilst acknowledging the importance of bloodlines in producing superior runners, Redbank North has the staff, the experience, and most importantly the ideal environment to help their equine athletes develop to their full potential. In addition to the ideal environment, pastures and feed, Redbank North has the ongoing support and expertise of local master farrier Mark Peel and equine veterinarians. Vet Ken Jacobs specialises in performance and rehabilitation, whilst vet Coco Willsallen specialises in reproductive and neonatal care. Therefore medical, rehabilitation and breeding support and regular trimming and corrective shoeing services are provided for spellers, foals, weanlings, yearlings and broodmares.
Redbank North is a family run operation and James and Fiona’s eldest daughter Dimity joined the team full time in 2008 after studying (Business and Sports Management), working locally and abroad in the equine industry. Her experience includes being an administrator for Star Thoroughbreds at Tulloch Lodge, being part of sales team at Keeneland and Saratooga sales in America, working as the Sports and Event Coordinator for the Australian Stock Horse Society and polo grooming in England and New Zealand. Katrina (their second daughter) is also a valuable member of the team and became a full-time member in 2015. Katrina has travelled and worked with horses abroad and enjoys caring for the spellers, managing the broodmares vet reproductive work and farms’ pastures.
For over four decades, James and Fiona have been keen participants in the racing industry by breeding, training and racing thoroughbreds. They have bred multiple stakes winners and in 2016 bred and raced their first group 1 winner Single Gaze. They both and the team at Redbank North understand the importance of the role a spelling farm plays in a training stable.
The properties are located near the village of Jugiong on the South West Slopes of New South Wales. It is an easy 3.5 hours drive down the Hume highway from Sydney and 6 hours up the Hume highway from Melbourne. It is also only 1.5 hours from Canberra and an average of 5-6 hours from major studs in the Hunter Valley and in Victoria.