Photo: Megan Liefting (Race Images)
Tony Rider, already well established in breeding and racing through his Cambridge nursery Milan Park, has significantly increased his footprint with the purchase of neighbouring farm The Oaks Stud.
Currently under the ownership of Queensland-based Dick Karreman and managed by Rick Williams, The Oaks Stud has a long history in thoroughbred breeding.
The farm’s most famous graduate is the dual New Zealand Horse of the Year Seachange, who won 14 races, including five Group Ones, in Karreman’s blue and white colours. The Oaks currently stands the Group One-winning stallions US Navy Flag and The Chosen One.
In partnership with his wife Vicki, Rider has enjoyed immense success both in the breeding barn and on the racetrack, initially with the 2014 and 2016 Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) winners Irish Fling and Adventador.
Having evolved from dairy farming to the retail grocery trade, the Riders established Milan Park in 2007 with the purchase of a 50-acre property at Kaipaki, south of Cambridge.
Their fledgling operation grew in 2015 when relocating to Bob Emery’s 85-acre Belvedere Farm on the southern outskirts of Cambridge, and the addition of a neighbouring property increased Milan Park to 250 acres (100 hectares).
At the same time the nursery’s record in elite races grew, with further Group One success as either the breeder and/or owner of Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) winner The Chosen One, who was also a major winner and placegetter in Australia, New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner The Perfect Pink, New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Pulchritudinous, and the latest headliner to carry Milan’s distinctive red, yellow and black colours, triple Group One-winning racemare Provence.
The sister to NZB Kiwi and Karaka Millions 3YO winner Damask Rose made further headlines when fetching A$1.8 million to the bid of Yulong Investments at last month’s Inglis Chairman’s Sale in Sydney.
Another recent windfall came Milan Park’s way through its five percent share-holding in former Waikato Stud stallion Super Seth when he was sold in a reported A$70 million deal to Coolmore Australia.
In the background, Milan Park has presented a proposal to local body authorities for the subdivision of the bulk of its current property for medium density housing.
“I looked at The Oaks some time ago and a deal got very close, but then it went on the back-burner due to health issues I was experiencing,” Rider said. “I had a knee replacement earlier this year and with the pain I experience before and after, to be frank I really wasn’t in a good space.
“Thankfully I came right, so I caught up with Rick (Williams), then I spoke to my accountant who said if you think you should do it, go ahead.
“Every time I drove out the gate here and looked across the road at The Oaks and thought about it, I didn’t want to think that in five or 10 years’ time I might be kicking myself for not doing the deal.
“So in the end it was very straightforward and it feels good. We don’t take ownership until the end of July next year, but I’m happy with that, it suits both parties, and in the meantime there’s a lot to do in the way of planning.”
Photo: Sharon Chapman
Milan Park’s longtime manager Grant Bennett intends staying in his current role, which means that Rider will cast his net for a general manager to oversee operations at the new acquisition.
“I respect Grant’s decision, it’s what suits him, so one of the main things now is to find the right person to head the new team,” Rider said. “We’ll be retaining some of the current staff at The Oaks, which makes sense especially during the transition.
“One of the things I’m most looking forward to is becoming more involved in The Chosen One’s stud career. After a late start he ended up with only 30 foals in his first crop, but those foals left such an impression that his numbers increased and he’s been serving 80 to 100 mares since.
“He’s a lovely horse, he’s by Savabeel and was such a good racehorse, and we’ve made a conscious decision to hold his fee at $4,000. I want to genuinely help the smaller breeder and when we take over the new property that will include offering agistment services.
“It’s not an easy game, everybody needs to support each other in this industry – we’re all in this together.”
Rider’s wider portfolio includes the retention of an interest in Super Seth, along with shares in fellow Australian-based stallions Bivouac, Anders, Anamoe, Broadsiding and 2026 newcomer Tentyris.
Amongst his local stallion interests, he was also a multiple shareholder in the recently deceased Savabeel, and mares in foal to the multiple champion will be among Milan Park’s 17-strong draft being offered on Gavelhouse Plus.
“There are some nice mares in that group, but at the same time as selling them and others like Provence, we put the proceeds even before we got them back into half a dozen quality Australian mares.
“That’s all part of our longer-term plans. The industry has its challenges but I’m in for the long haul.”
Meanwhile Rick Williams, who has managed The Oaks for 28 years, the last 24 under Dick Karreman’s ownership, has a sense of genuine satisfaction that the farm will remain in local ownership.
“It’s been a long process but now that it’s gone unconditional, Dick and I are thrilled that Tony has put his hand up. I really admire him for his positive attitude and we naturally wish him well for the future.
“Dick will be retaining seven hectares around in Redoubt Road and he’ll continue to race as well as investing in the odd well-bred filly. I’ll be continuing my association with him, but I’m looking forward to getting through the next year’s operations and then stepping back knowing the farm will be in good hands.”
As for Rider, he admits to some nervousness at what he has taken on, but at the same time excited at what the future holds.
“Yes, I’m a bit nervous, but I’m also looking forward to giving it my best shot.”
