Trelawney is an integral part of the fabric of New Zealand’s thoroughbred industry. Covering 485 acres of highly fertile farm land just out of Cambridge, the quality pasture and topography are ideal for growing equine athletes.
Established by Seton Otway in the 1930s, the farm is now owned by the Taylor family. They are just the third entity to take ownership of the property and hold a great respect for the history of the farm and its contribution to racing not only in New Zealand, but worldwide.
Trelawney has a long and illustrious record of producing champions. The Otway era gave rise to an unprecedented and yet to be bettered record of seven Melbourne Cup winners, and the unforgettable Tulloch.
Since the Taylor's have been at the helm they have added 41 Group One wins to the farm's tally. The Taylor family embrace their role as custodians of the farm's history and welcome visitors to the farm who are interested in seeing the iconic property and the horses raised there today.
"It's all about the girls, quality stock begins with a quality mare."
Though Trelawney has been home to many great stallions the farm moved away from that aspect of stud life and now concentrates on developing the farm's broodmare band and raising young stock.
High achieving fillies raced in the Trelawney colours will find themselves in the broodmare paddock on retirement. The Taylors also invest in fillies and mares with quality pedigrees that boost the value of an already enviable female line up.
Trelawney is a working farm and as well as raising quality horses, the farm is home to a flock of around 500 breeding ewes and at 150 head of cattle. An excess of 2000 lambs are also fattened on the farm each year.
Cross grazing with sheep and cattle are an important part of pasture management and ensures the farm stays in top condition. The high calibre of stock on the farm is a credit to the animal husbandry of the Taylors and their staff, and a further example of their attention to detail and goal of excellence.
Trelawney's motto is "great starts make for great finishes" and from the moment they are born, horses at Trelawney get the best to set them up for a successful future.
The experienced and dedicated staff take pride raising educated horses presented in pristine condition. The results speak for themselves, and with winners on the track and success through the sales ring Trelawney continues to earn its spot as one of New Zealand’s leading thoroughbred farms.
"Great starts make for great finishes."
In 2013 Trelawney Stud was awarded Breeder of the Year at the New Zealand Racing awards due to the achievements of Ocean Park and his dam, Sayyida who was named Broodmare of the Year.
The Taylor's are now chasing the ultimate goal of producing the quintessential Trelawney product; breeding a Group One winner who is by a Trelawney bred stallion out of a Trelawney bred mare.
The realisation of this dream could be closer than you think as Ocean Park, Grunt and Spieth are all Trelawney bred stallions currently at stud.
The Taylor family are also supporters of the development of young people in the industry. Faith Taylor sponsors the Faith and Keith Taylor Equine Scholarship through the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Association. The winning candidate is funded to attend the renowned Irish National Stud to complete the diploma course.
