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It was the year 2000 that Peter Orton first arrived at Vinery Stud, stepping into a role that would help him shape a new force in the Australian thoroughbred landscape, essentially from nothing and from the ground up.

Orton and Vinery: A great combination

Peter Orton walked through the gates of Vinery Stud with a bold mission ahead.

At the time, Vinery was more of an idea than an institution, about to find its feet after recently branching out from American roots.

It was the arrival of the German businessman Dr Thomas Simon that truly set things in motion. With his purchase of the historic original Segenhoe property in the Hunter Valley, Simon wasn’t just investing in land, he was laying the groundwork for a powerhouse.

And it was Orton, with his deep industry knowledge and vision, who would steer that foundation toward something far greater. What began as a quiet entrance would grow into one of the most respected breeding operations in the country.

Under Orton's leadership Vinery has thrived, beginning with the acquisition and shuttle of More Than Ready (USA), the young Southern Halo (USA) stallion who became an influential sire in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Building on More Than Ready’s success, Orton developed Vinery Stud into one of Australia’s leading stud farms, with a premium resident broodmare band and an expanded stallion roster over this period which included other prominent sires such as Red Ransom (USA), Mossman, All Too Hard and Testa Rossa. Now, Vinery is positioned for its next phase, with young, exciting stallions such as Exceedance, Hawaii Five Oh and Ole Kirk, who is the leading first season sire by winners, stakes winners and prizemoney.

Ready for the next challenge

After decades at the forefront of the Australian thoroughbred industry, Peter Orton is stepping into a new chapter with a deep sense of pride and excitement for what lies ahead.

When asked whether his decision to step away from Vinery Stud came with a mix of emotions - excitement, satisfaction, and perhaps a touch of sadness, Orton was candid: “Absolutely, very much so. I’ve thought about it for a while now, and now is the right time.

“Now that the sale of Vinery Stud has been finalised, it’s an appropriate time to take the opportunity to step away and focus on my own thoroughbred farm and bloodstock portfolio.

“This is something that I’m very keen to do, however, it was most important that I leave at a time when the Vinery Stud operation is in a great place, with exciting young stallions coming through and a robust client base with strong broodmare portfolios to ensure the continued success and growth of the business.”

Orton reflected on the evolution of his career with great satisfaction but at the same time excited about working on his own portfolio on his own farm.

“I’m looking forward to it. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while, but my time at Arrowfield was exciting, and so was setting up Vinery,” he said.

“I have about 200 acres between Newgate and Darley, and it’s time to enjoy the farm and everything else that comes with it.”

Grateful for the people and partnerships that have shaped his journey, Orton acknowledged the importance of those relationships.

“I’ve been very fortunate with the people I’ve worked with, with Arrowfield and the Messaras, and Tom Simon at Vinery. To make big decisions and set up farms like that with these people was great,” he said.

“We broke new ground with those farms, and it was a great opportunity. We saw some really interesting things.”

Orton played a pivotal role in the careers of two of the modern era’s most influential stallions, Danehill (USA) and More Than Ready, and remains deeply connected to their legacies.

“Those stallions have made a huge impact. I remember Danehill stopping off the truck for the first time, and seeing More Than Ready in the tie-up stalls in New York,” Orton recalled.

“To go back to that level, you do really connect with them big time, personally and physically. I have great memories of those two stallions and what stallions they were.”

Messara reflects on Orton’s impact

John Messara, Chairman of the Arrowfield Group, has worked closely with Peter Orton over the years and holds deep respect for the pivotal role Orton played in building Arrowfield Stud into one of Australia’s leading thoroughbred breeding operations.

Messara acknowledged Orton’s instrumental involvement in the establishment and development of not just one, but two significant Arrowfield properties.

“Peter was instrumental in helping us develop the first Arrowfield, which was at Jerry’s Plains, what later became Coolmore, and then the second Arrowfield, where we currently reside. In the early days, he was also instrumental in that property,” Messara explained.

Orton is widely regarded as one of the industry’s great farm developers, able to visualise, plan and execute major property transformations. Messara echoed that sentiment.

“He’s got good vision, and he is a great builder in the sense of developing things. He loves to build things and design things, and he is very good at that.”

“Peter is a really good man, and a very good judge of a horse in my opinion,” Messara said.

“I regard him as a very sound manager, whom you can trust implicitly. You can't say that about everybody, but I can certainly say that about him.

“I’m pleased to say that my son Paul has taken after him a bit and has set up stud operations and racing operations as he built his track at Scone. Paul has looked at Peter as a great example and as a guide in that regard.”

As Orton now looks ahead to focusing on his own bloodstock portfolio and private farm, Messara was supportive of the decision.

“I think the move will be great for him. It’s a lot of weight running these big commercial farms, there’s never a moment you can rest. There’s always something happening whether it is looking after clients’ horses or the stallions and the issues they bring, and the books you have to fill. It’s a very demanding life being a manager of one of these big operations.

“He deserves to enjoy doing his own thing, and I’m sure he will succeed.”

Hamish Esplin: “Peter Orton, to me, is a person that really is a role model”

President of Thoroughbred Breeders New South Wales, Hamish Esplin, has known Peter Orton for most of his life, both on a personal level and through their shared roles in the breeding industry. His admiration for Orton’s legacy is both heartfelt and unreserved.

“I’ve known Peter since I was knee-high, growing up in the industry, right through to working alongside him at Thoroughbred Breeders New South Wales,” Esplin said.

When asked about Orton’s impact and the depth of his contribution to Australian breeding, Esplin didn’t hesitate: “It's remarkable, really.”

“I can’t conceive of a person who has given more to the industry, both from a personal perspective in managing studs, and from a representative standpoint, through the wide range of board positions he has held.

“The sheer time, breadth, and dedication he has committed to pushing the Australian industry forward is, in my experience, the greatest I’ve seen across all facets.”

Esplin was quick to highlight Orton’s pivotal role in shaping some of Australia’s most iconic breeding operations.

“His record is incredible. He established Arrowfield Farm from the ground up and they stood Danehill, sold Arrowfield to Coolmore, moved it to Scone, then started Vinery Stud and stood More Than Ready. Even on a shortlist like that, those are the pivotal moments in the Australian breeding industry over the last 25 years, and he was front and centre, hands-on, in every one of them.

“He has built leading stud farms (Arrowfield and Vinery) and they only exist because of the person on the ground who plans the farm, builds the infrastructure, knows where to put the paddocks and the stallion barns, can assemble the team that sells nominations, raises weanlings, and manages yearlings. It all comes down to leadership. And Peter has done that, twice.

“Any one of those achievements on their own would be enough to write an article about. But the fact he’s done all of them, and while doing that, mentored so many people including myself - is extraordinary.”

That mentorship, Esplin emphasised, extended beyond the practical elements of farm management.

“He’s been there through all the arguments and lobbying we’ve had to do on behalf of breeders against administrative bodies like Racing New South Wales and Racing Australia. He’s been instrumental in those conversations.

“To leave Vinery in the shape it’s in now, with its team, its stallion roster, its outstanding record, is an achievement that can’t be overstated. A large part of that success belongs to Peter Orton.”

Beyond his professional contributions, Esplin said Orton has always been generous with his time and guidance.

“He’s always been available to myself and so many others, offering advice to both breeders and commercial operators. And you’d struggle to find anyone in the industry who has a cross word to say about him. I certainly can’t think of one.

“There is barely a person I would know that would have had a cross word with him or have been upset with him, or that he has disappointed in some way, I certainly can't. Going along with that, to do it with the charisma and personality that he has, just shows how unique an individual Peter Orton is.”

In summing up Orton’s influence, Esplin offered a simple but powerful tribute:

“He is, to me, a person that really is the role model. He can do it all, and he has done it all.”

Vinery pays tribute to Peter Orton’s enduring legacy

There’s no question that Peter Orton is one of the most respected figures in Australian thoroughbred breeding and Vinery Stud would not be what it is today without his leadership, dedication, and vision. Over his two and a half decades at the helm, Orton not only helped shape the Vinery brand into one of the country’s premier studs but also mentored and inspired the people around him.

That sentiment is echoed by Vinery’s Bloodstock Manager, Adam White, who worked alongside Orton for the whole duration of 25 years

“Peter is wholeheartedly responsible for what the Vinery brand is. I feel privileged to have witnessed first hand the dedication and effort he put into the organisation from its birth and to maintain it over an extended period of time,” White said.

“It was quite ironic how I found myself in a position to work under Peter. He interviewed me for a position at Arrowfield in late 1999, which I was at the time disappointed not to get. Just three months later, I found myself working under him at Vinery when Tommy Simon first secured his services to run the stud.

“The mentoring he has given me personally is immeasurable. I am just one of many industry participants that have benefited from his guidance, which I’m sure I’ll continue to benefit from.”

Current Vinery Stud shareholders Katie Page and Steve McCann also paid tribute to Orton, expressing their deep gratitude for his years of commitment and contribution to the business.

“Over his 25 years leading Vinery, Gerry and I have been the beneficiaries of Peter Orton’s peerless expertise, wise counsel and vision, both personally and professionally,” said Page.

“Peter, to say we are so grateful to you and to Adele is such an understatement. Our great friendship and mutual respect continue beyond the farm, and we look forward to seeing you in January.”

McCann added, “Peter has for many years been one of the most respected thoroughbred experts in the country and has made a tremendous contribution to both Vinery and the broader industry. I would like to thank Peter personally and on behalf of all of our clients and current and past shareholders.”

Cover image courtesy of Matamata Racing Club

In a significant move set to reshape the New Zealand racing landscape, the Matamata Racing Club has confirmed the acquisition of a neighbouring property formerly owned by Valachi Downs. The purchase will pave the way for the development of a major new training facility, capable of housing up to 20 state-of-the-art barns with capacity for 250 horses.

Matamata Racing Club unveils major expansion plans

The new complex will bolster the club’s already substantial infrastructure, currently accommodating around 150 horses on-course. With approximately 850 horses training at Matamata every month, the expansion is poised to make the Waikato venue the largest training centre in New Zealand.

The Thoroughbred Report caught up with Matamata Racing Club General Manager, Regan Donnison, to hear more about the ambitious plans.

“The club purchased the property about three years ago with the idea of possible expansion,” Donnison said.

“At the moment, there is a lot of positivity around the industry and high demand for trainers to be able to set up on-course, as per what is becoming the norm in Australia.

“There are many reasons for this. There is significant cost involved in training off-course, with trucks and staff, and having all staff in one place obviously works financially and logistically.

“We are mindful that we need to act now and it is the first step of a process.

“We want to grow and for everyone to benefit, and we have to play our part in order for this to happen.”

Matamata: A centre of equine excellence

Founded in 1919, Matamata Racing Club remains a cornerstone of the New Zealand racing industry, both historically and in modern times. In the 2024/25 season, the club held eleven race meetings under its own banner and hosted an additional fixture for the South Waikato Racing Club.

The venue has also established itself as a prolific nursery of elite talent. In the 2023/24 season alone, Matamata-trained horses won 45 individual stakes races, including 40 per cent of all Group 1 races run in New Zealand. This season is already shaping up as another strong campaign, highlighted by significant results in spring and summer majors, including the inaugural running of the R. Listed NZ$3.5 million New Zealand Bloodstock Kiwi.

Already servicing around 40 trainers and approximately 850 horses, the club’s on-course amenities include a variety of training tracks, a swimming pool, weighing scales, schooling fences, custom-built jump out gates, and more. The next phase of development is aimed at future-proofing the venue and elevating it to truly world-class standards.

“This is more than just an expansion. It’s a vote of confidence in our trainers, our horses, and the future of New Zealand racing,” said Donnison.

“We’re responding to real demand and positioning ourselves, and our region, as a key contributor to the national industry moving forward.

“This next phase of development will ensure Matamata remains at the forefront of the industry for years to come, while strengthening the Club’s ability to continue investing in its facilities with the goal of achieving world-class standards in the near future.”

Industry reaction

Among those welcoming the project is Andrew Scott, co-trainer of the powerhouse Wexford Stables, based at Matamata.

“It’s great to see a local club taking a progressive approach,” Scott said.

“If all goes to plan, their proposed facilities will be a real asset to the industry, creating more opportunities for people to train on track, in line with a growing trend across Australasia. There’s still a way to go before it’s fully realised, but it’s a strong step in the right direction.”

Mark Walker who trains in partnership with Sam Bergerson as part of the Te Akau team commented “Matamata has stood the test of time, Dave O'Sullivan and Jim Gibb's are the pioneers of Matamata and there have been a lot of very good Matamata trained horses over the years.

“It is great to see Matamata looking towards the future and it provides an opportunity for the younger generation to get involved in leasing barns of 15-20 horses which is great. Especially as the price of land around race tracks in the Waikato in particular involves big, big bucks, and it is beyond young people.

“The area that the club has purchased is the old Wexford Stables were Paul and Dave O'Sullivan used to train, so there is good history there.

“Things in New Zealand are looking positive and Entain has basically saved us, it was looking pretty bleak, but with the prizemoney changes there is light at the end of the tunnell which is positive.”

While investment and and development is great, Walker commented that “Work is still to be done in New Zealand, Matamata are doing a great thing here but across New Zealand we need to improve race track surfaces, if you got no dance floor you can't have a dance can you.”

Expressions of interest now open

With expressions of interest for the new barns officially opened this month, the club has already started that initial engagement process.

“The expression of interest concept is a way of finding out and getting an idea on interest levels,” said Donnison.

“I'm sure we will have no problem with interest levels, but it will give us a mark from which we can move forward.

“There are going to be opportunities for a range of people, for big stables, small stables, and even from further afield, those who are keen to move to Matamata.”

While the new project is ambitious in scope, Donnison is adamant that the process must be carefully managed.

“This is not a small project and can hopefully complement the Greenfields project once that is up and going. It is very important that we get it right; it is not a quick process but a very important one.

“So we will be taking our time and doing everything we can to get it right.”

With momentum on their side and the backing of the wider racing community, the Matamata Racing Club’s vision is not only bold, it's one that promises to have a lasting impact on the future of New Zealand racing.

Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos

But the win meant more than just a place on the honour roll and black type success; it also secured her an all-important golden ticket into the G1 Melbourne Cup. For the training duo and the connections of Basilinna, it was a result that opens the door to a spring dream. With a guaranteed start in Australia’s most iconic race, the road to the first Tuesday in November is now well and truly underway.

The charm of the Cup

There’s no doubt the G1 Melbourne Cup holds a special place in the hearts of racing fans around the world. For many Australians and New Zealanders, it’s a race ingrained in childhood memories, and every year, an international wave of European raiders descends on Flemington, aiming to snatch the prestigous race as well as the lucrative prizemoney on offer.

The Melbourne Cup has produced some of the sport’s most memorable storylines, from the underdog victory last year of Knight’s Order (Extreme Choice), to Michelle Payne’s historic win on Prince Of Penzance (NZ) (Pentire {GB}), to the imposing presence of the imported Fiorente (Ire) to give the legendary Gai Waterhouse success. There’s the unheralded three-time winner Makybe Diva (GB) (Desert Sun {GB}), the raw emotion involved with Damien Oliver and Media Puzzle (USA) (Theatrical {Ire}), and the battler’s dream with Kiwi (NZ) (Blarney Kiss {USA}).

There’s always a story. Could Basilinna (NZ) (Staphanos {Jpn}) be the next to join that illustrious list? Her co-trainer Emma-Lee Browne certainly hopes so.

She recalled her early fascination with the race, and what it means to be on the verge of playing a part in the Melbourne Cup.

“Growing up in New Zealand as a kid I remember the Melbourne Cup, I can also remember working in the stables and everyone getting through their work so they could knock off early on Melbourne Cup Day to watch the Cup.

“The race is so hard to get into, getting a runner in it is so hard to achieve, so knowing that this far out we have a spot, is an amazing feeling.”

Though the big race is still many months away, Browne said Basilinna is already out spelling and enjoying the sunshine.

“She’s got time to get ready as it is so far away. It is a great time to get her out to the farm, the weather’s still great, apart from Saturday!, which was perfect” she laughed. “They always do well when they get some sun on their back.

“She has pulled up so well. If we weren’t locked in with a Cup spot, there may have been a temptation to keep her in work and carry on. In saying that, I’m a big believer that a happy horse going out to spell is a great thing, and can help mean a happy horse coming back into work.

“We will work backwards to work out how many runs she needs and the spacing between those.

“The great thing about the racing community is we’ve had so many people offer to chat and bounce ideas off around the best way to get a horse to the Cup. They’ve done it before, and we haven’t.

“It’s obviously a first for us but something we are very much looking forward to, as are our amazing, very excited bunch of owners.”

A special breeding story

Basilinna is not just a racetrack success story, she’s a personal one, too. Bred by David and Emma-Lee Browne, her origins are bittersweet, sparked by the loss of a stable favourite named Monarch Chimes (NZ) (Shinko King {Ire}), who tragically broke down in a steeplechase trial at Cranbourne.

Monarch Chimes was a quality performer on both sides of the Tasman, winning eight races and taking out the prestigious Pakuranga Hunt Hurdle at Ellerslie. His memory lives on in an interlinked way through Basilinna’s dam, So Royal (NZ) (Shinko King {Ire}), a $500 mare David bought on the Gavelhouse platform.

“Monarch Chimes was a great horse for us. He also gave us a taste for racing in Australia, which ultimately led to us making the move,” Browne said.

“It was devastating when we lost him. I was cut up pretty rough. I can remember being upset and David said we’ll go to the beach for a few nights before going back to the stables. One night, after a few drinks, he said to me, ‘I bought a mare named So Royal on Gavelhouse for you for $500. She is by Shinko King, which is what Monarch Chimes was by.’ I laughed and said, ‘You can't replace him,’ but look at the job the mare has done now.”

When it came time to choose a stallion for So Royal, the couple narrowed it down to two: Satono Aladdin (Jpn) and Staphanos (Jpn).

“I liked these stallions as they had the Japanese influence and were by Deep Impact. I can’t quite remember what Satono (Satono Aladdin) was standing for that year, but he was a little more expensive than Staphanos, so we went with Staphanos as he was more within our budget.”

Basilinna was born and spent her early time at Wentwood Grange, always a nice type and an impressive enough filly. “She got the Wentwood Grange brand with the lucky feathers on them,” Browne said.

An enthusiastic ownership group

Once Basilinna was broken in and ready to head to Australia, It was around during the Browne stable’s Pakenham open day when her ownership group began to form.

“It was around the time we had our Pakenham open day, and we needed to get some owners into our baby,” Browne said.

“She was such a good type, so that part was easy, but most of our Australian clients had no idea who Staphanos was, and no idea about the Shinko King part either. It was a very New Zealand-strong pedigree.

“But a lot of our clients went in anyway. It wasn’t an expensive purchase being a homebred, and it’s so cool that they’ve been on a great ride so far.

“It is a great group and a great story. There are too many to name them all, but Mark Pollard has been with us since the early days, and so has Jill Stewart, and Robyn Wallace wasn’t too far behind.”

Browne recalled a particularly joyful post-race moment from one of the owners.

“There is some great social media footage around of one of the part-owners, Ash Holmes, running towards us after she won. I could hear some yelling and here he came, it was fantastic. We were in our lucky spot, and it has become tradition now after some great results.

“For these owners, having a runner in the Cup is something that they dream about. I can’t wait to see them experience the build-up. There is nothing like it in Melbourne.

“She really is befitting of a Melbourne Cup story, the underdog, bred from a $500 mare, owned by some pretty normal people.”

Basilinna’s humble beginnings contrast starkly with some of the horses she may face in November. One such example is Sir Delius (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who was dominant in the G3 Chairman’s Quality Handicap at Doomben the same day Basilinna booked her Cup berth.

He was purchased for 1.3 million guineas (around AU$2.8 million) from the 2024 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale by a combination of Go Bloodstock, De Burgh Equine, Waterhouse and Bott Racing and McKeever Bloodstock. Sir Delius ran mid-field in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at his last start over in Europe before being exported to Australia.

“We may be up against it against horses of that calibre,” Browne admitted, “but you never know.”

Basilinna’s quick rise

Basilinna always hinted at talent, right from her debut when she produced an eye-catching second at Sale in September of her 3-year-old season. She franked that early promise next time out with an impressive maiden win over the mile at Cranbourne on September 21.

From there, she continued to test herself against quality opposition. She ran a credible eighth in the G2 Edward Manifold Stakes behind subsequent Oaks winner Zardozi (Kingman {GB}), before delivering two outstanding performances - finishing third in both the G3 Ethereal Stakes and the G1 VRC Oaks. Those runs firmly stamped her as a filly with high-level staying potential.

Her autumn campaign as a 3-year-old proved more challenging, although she still managed a strong second behind Autumn Angel (The Autumn Sun) in the G2 Kewney Stakes. A similar pattern followed as a four-year-old in the spring, where she showed glimpses of her best but struggled to consistently recapture her peak form.

“We did push her pretty hard as a 3-year-old filly and maybe that showed a bit in subsequent preparations,” Browne reflected. “She ran such a good second in the Kewney, and I think over the mile it really flattened her, she really left everything out on the track that day, and it was a very hot day.

“You learn more about them every day, and I think she really benefits from stepping up over ground pretty quickly. When she’s out of her comfort zone for longer, she doesn’t pull up as well and it can.”

Basilinna kicked off her latest campaign in excellent fashion, winning first-up and holding her form consistently through the prep.

“She won very well first-up this preparation and has held her form very well,” Browne said. “We’ve put her in races where she can get black type and improve her page and value.”

At one stage, connections even considered parting with the mare when her form dipped, nominating her for the Inglis Chairman’s Sale as a precaution.

“We did that as a way of looking after the owners and their investment, just in case she didn’t find her form, Inglis touched base and it sounded a good plan,” Browne confirmed. “Thankfully she did get back into form, and it was a pretty easy decision to pull her out.

“We are very glad we did now, we are in the Cup.”

Stable on the rise

Since making the move to Australia in 2022, Emma-Lee and David Browne’s stable has been steadily building momentum. The 2024–25 season has been a strong one, highlighted by Mcgaw’s (I Am Immortal) win in the $1 million VOBIS Showdown at Caulfield, Statuario (D'Argento) winning at Listed level, and Basilinna’s success in the Listed Andrew Ramsden.

“We’ve had a great season, the horses have been running great,” Browne said.

So far this season, the stable has recorded 24 wins and 47 placings from 176 runners, banking just under $2.7 million in prizemoney.

Basilinna’s Melbourne Cup journey may still be months away, but her story has already captured hearts, a reminder of what makes the race so special.

Entering the spring, with a spring in the step

While Basilinna understandably takes top billing heading into the spring with her place in the Melbourne Cup secured, the Browne stable has several other exciting prospects poised to make an impact during the carnival.

Among them is the unbeaten Mcgaw (I Am Immortal), who made a strong impression in the autumn with two wins from as many starts, including a dominant performance in the $1 million VOBIS Showdown at Caulfield.

“He (Mcgaw) is still in the paddock,” said Emma-Lee Browne. “He’s still a long, lanky-looking horse, but he’s done great and is due back in work in a couple of weeks.

“He just kept putting his hand up last preparation, and we’re going to target him towards the G1 Caulfield Guineas. He’s a fast horse, but we think he’ll stretch out to a mile. We got gene testing done on him as well, and that backs up our thoughts. Imagine if he could finish off like he does now at the end of a mile.”

Another promising runner is Just Kick (NZ), a filly by Staphanos (Jpn), who like Basilinna, may be more suited to longer trips as she matures. Though not bred to be a typical precocious 2-year-old, she still managed two placings from two starts, including a strong Listed-level performance in the Anzac Stakes over 1400 metres.

“We’re looking forward to seeing her as a 3-year-old,” Browne said. “Her runs as a 2-year-old were great, and she’s got lots of potential.”

“We’re very lucky at the moment. We’ve got lots of exciting horses, and we’re in a really nice position,” Browne said.

Despite the growing momentum, Browne remains grounded in her outlook.

“We still have a lot of work to do, and it’s still a long way to go, but it makes it a bit easier to get up early during the winter, doesn’t it?” she laughed.

“We really are still pinching ourselves. We’re having a pretty good run at the moment.”