About Lindsay Park Stud - Colin Hayes had a passion for thoroughbred breeding that left an indubitable mark on the industry. With the support of a strong client base and through the exploits of stallions such as Without Fear, Godswalk, Bluebird, At Talaq and Jeune, Lindsay Park Stud established itself as an industry leader.
Since the mid 1960’s Lindsay Park has bred over 4,000 winners of over 15,000 races.
Following the death of Colin Hayes in 1999 Lindsay Park Stud reached a crossroad. The focus of the breeding industry in Australia was now well and truly in the east. Lindsay Park’s stallion roster began to dwindle and when the stud’s flagship stallion Jeune moved to Victoria in 2004, the future of the stud was becoming uncertain.
In 2005 a rejuvenation process began. David Hayes, whom inherited control of the stud from his father, moved home after a decade of training in Hong Kong and set about re-establishing the stud business.
David Hayes and fellow stud director David Saegenschnitter have since overseen some significant changes at Lindsay Park Stud.
The re-structure began with the appointment of David’s nephew Sam Hayes to the position of Managing Director. At the same time the stud operations were re-located to a different section of the Angaston property, independent of the racing stable.
A renewed emphasis on client service resulted in the appointment of Louis Le Metayer to the position of Client Relations Manager. Louis along with Greg Thomas (Administration Manager), David Storton (Operations Manager) and Dr Madalen Baltussen (Reproductive Vet) are the key staff around which the Stud team is built.
A new plan for the stud was established in 2005 which clearly outlined the company’s goals, strategies and values. In order to achieve the company goals Lindsay Park Stud needed to maintain a national presence whilst at the same time fostering growth within the local industry.
The plan revolved around standing stallions that would:
a) Attract mares form interstate,
b) Encourage local breeders to upgrade their mares and;
c) Encourage new breeders into the thoroughbred industry.
Being built on a proud tradition of horsemanship the plan was to continue to deliver the best in horse care whilst providing a renewed focus on client service. The stud team also aimed to capitalize on the racing stable as a source of stallions and mares as well as a vehicle to maximise the potential of their stallion’s progeny.
The ongoing aim is to gradually increase the quality of the stallion roster whilst maintaining stallion numbers at between five and seven.
The bloodstock team lead by Lindsay Park’s Bloodstock Manager, Mark Pilkington are also gradually improving the quality of the stud’s broodmare band. The vast majority of the stud’s broodmares are owned in partnership with clients thus ensuring that Lindsay Park Stud only prospers if their clients do too.
Lindsay Park Stud is once again moving forward with momentum and a plan for the future. In 2006 Lindsay Park Stud attracted more mares than they have since 1991, when the stallion roster boasted names such as At Talaq, Scenic, Military Plume and Alzao. 2007 saw another increase in numbers, attracting 360 mares to the farm which included 148 to Barely a Moment, a South Australian record.