Cover image supplied
Vinery Stud’s Bloodstock Manager Adam White is to step into the role of interim General Manager as the Hunter Valley nursery searches for a candidate to replace Peter Orton, who announced his retirement in May after 25 years with the stud.
Written by Kit Gow
White has been a part of Vinery since its establishment in 2000, and has played a pivotal role in the stud’s evolution into one of the industry's modern day heavyweights.
“We as a group owe a great deal of gratitude to Peter for creating such a well-respected brand,” White said on Friday. “I have been in the very fortunate position of being there for the entire journey and I am eagerly looking forward to the next part of the farm’s story.”
“I have been in the very fortunate position of being there for the entire journey and I am eagerly looking forward to the next part of the farm’s story.” - Adam White
During his time at Vinery to date, White has played a significant role in the acquisition of resident stallions Exceedance and Headwater. Exceedance was purchased as a yearling by Vinery Stud for $180,000 in 2018 and subsequently raced his way into a spot on the roster with victories in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and the G3 San Domenico Stakes, as well as a tough third in Bivouac’s G1 Golden Rose Stakes, and his second crop has him sitting well within the top 10 second season sires by wins.
Ole Kirk | Standing at Vinery Stud
The G2 Silver Slipper Stakes winner Headwater was likewise acquired for $500,000 in 2014, and finished the 2019/20 season as leading first season sire by winners, before taking out the second season sire title by earnings the following year.
“It is such an exciting time for Vinery, with the rapid rise of a stallion like Ole Kirk, and we have such a great resource in the farm itself as it continues to produce racehorses of the highest level,” White said.
The roster’s rising star, Ole Kirk has the first season sire title well and truly in the bag by both individual winners, stakes winners, stakes wins, and prize money. At the time of writing, he is nearly $500,000 clear of his nearest rival in stakes, with four stakes winners who have collected five stakes wins, including G3 Breeders' Plate winner King Kirk and $1.9 million earner O'Ole. Off the back of his first season deeds, the stallion has seen a jump in fee for 2025 to $99,000 (inc GST).
More Than Ready (USA) with Adam White | Image supplied
Hawaii Five Oh has been the latest addition to the Vinery roster, and the stud eagerly awaits the first foals from the Group 1 performer this spring. During his long tenure at Vinery, White has also been involved in the acquisition of a stake in and shuttle career of influential sire More Than Ready (USA), a dual hemisphere Champion 2YO Sire who visited the Hunter Valley for 19 consecutive seasons.
Vinery Stud has enjoyed another enormous sales season with White and Orton at the rudder, with two yearlings selling for $900,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale and consigning G1 VRC Oaks winner Aristia (Lonhro) for $1.45 million at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale. Ole Kirk’s second crop of yearlings proved extremely popular, with a top price of $700,000 and four yearlings making $500,000 or more.
White thanked the team at Vinery for their role in the stud’s continual success, saying, “having such a dynamic team of people that I have enjoyed working alongside for a great deal of time will ensure that this sale ring and racetrack success continues.
Adam White and Peter Orton | Image supplied
"We are actively building our broodmare band with the wonderful clientele we have around us, and we look forward to building those relationships further.”
White will officially commence his role on July 1.
