History of the Stud

Introduction

Haydon Horse Stud polo horse bronze

The Haydon horses at Bloomfield have the unique claim of being bred by the same family on the same property since the early 1830`s. The horses in the stud today are grouped into families which trace, mother to daughter, to the original foundation mares. Over the generations these families have been recorded and graded for ability, temperament, action, mouths and conformation. The success of the stud today can be mostly attributed to the strength of these female lines. The stud’s policy has been to breed a quality versatile riding horse with about three-quarter thoroughbred blood. The aim is to breed and train horses that will perform at the elite level.

The sort after Stud’s proven bloodlines continue to have a strong influence with their home bred horses performing so well here and overseas, as well as in numerous other studs with many other successful horses like Romance/Conman, Star Black Minstril, the sires Haydon Satellite in the USA and Haydon Oracle in the UK.

The Haydon Family

Peter, Alison, Henry, Nick and David Haydon before mustering at Scotts Creek

Peter, Alison, Henry, Nick and David Haydon before mustering at Scotts Creek

The Haydon family has for seven generations now, had a strong association with horses at Bloomfield. Each generation has produced well recognized horsemen in their fields and they have ridden and performed the horses they bred at Bloomfield.

The direct line of the Bloomfield Haydon’s started with Thomas Haydon. He frequently rode his stallion Young Dover, who he purchased in 1840, from Bloomfield to Maitland to do the banking where he won many races before being ridden home again. This often meant competing in three 3,200 km races on the same day and in 1843 he won the Maitland Cup. Thomas’s son Bernard Haydon started the Jewel Family with his top mare Countess, who was renowned for her feats brumby running. He established properties in the Gulf and continued on breeding fine horses at Bloomfield. He stood the undisputed bridle spurt champion race sire Haydon Tester from 1888 to 1904. His son F B Haydon was known as ‘the father of the northern carnivals’ for his contribution in the early days of Bushman’s Carnivals and Campdrafting.

His son F B (Jim) Haydon was a renowned horseman representing NSW before the war at Campdrafting, later playing polo and he won the Australian Cutting Horse Championships in 1969. His son Peter Haydon participated in nearly all forms of equestrian pursuits and in 1989 went to England to manage the Royal Stables at Windsor Castle. In 1991 he won Champion at Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Freddie Haydon

Freddie Haydon

In this time many top horses continued to be bred at Bloomfield including, Haydon Angel Jewel who won Best Playing Pony at 2009 Coronation Cup at Guards Polo Club in England played by the world’s best player Adolfo Cambiaso, then going onto win every major tournament in the world including the Argentine Triple Crown, the British, American and Spanish Gold Cups. She was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

Peter with his wife Alison and their three sons Henry, Nick and David, who now ride and play the horses, are enjoying the success from the dedication of the seven generations at Bloomfield. The grandchildren are keen riders and like getting involved.

Tommy, Freddie and Charlie Haydon 2021

Tommy, Freddie and Charlie Haydon                       2021

Tommy Haydon feeding his pony

    Tommy Haydon feeding his pony

Lulu Haydon 2017

  Lulu Haydon 2017

The Pioneering days

Peter Haydon arrived in the colony in 1830. He established Bloomfield being one of the original landholders and pioneers in the district. He was joined by his brother Thomas in 1836 who then built the sandstone homestead and took up more country. Thomas spent most of his time in the saddle, frequently using Aboriginal guides and realized the importance of breeding good riding horses. With his prized stallion Young Dover he started breeding top quality horses and started exporting horses as Army remounts known as the renowned “Walers”.

His son’s Stuart and Bernard’s journeys took them as far as the Gulf where they established various properties including Haydon, Vena Park, Claraville, Maggieville, Wondoola, Glenore, Timora, Waverley and Lily Lake. All stock were taken with them involving long Droving trips, with hundreds of horses from Bloomfield, starting them in as they went. Read more about Droving horses from the Hunter to the Gulf and Droving to the Gulf .

At Normanton in 1887 with 70 horses

At Normanton in 1887 with 70 horses

Bullock Team 18 Bullocks at Bloomfield Woolshed

18 in the Bullock Team at Bloomfield Woolshed

The Waler’s

1872 Flying Stakes won by B Haydon’s Deception

Thomas’s sons Peter, Stuart, Bernard and Thomas continued on with horses as their rural interests spread. Horse breeding became a bigger enterprise and “Walers” were shipped out in hundreds as remounts. In 1888 Bernard stood Haydon Tester who was undefeated and whose stock were rarely beaten in the then popular Bridle Spurts over a quarter of a mile, where the winner received a bridle. Haydon Tester continued on a legacy as most of the horses in the stud today trace back to Tester. Three horses by Haydon Tester where in the famous Battle of Beersheba, galloping their way into history. B Haydon was a keen racing man, winning many races with the horses he bred.

The Light Horse days

Guy Haydon on Midnight

Guy Haydon on Midnight

Bernard’s three sons F.B, G.B and B.B Haydon all established reputations as notable horsemen in their era. F.B. (Fred) Haydon continued running Bloomfield, breeding many good horses, especially station sires used by breeders all over Australia. He was heavily involved in establishing the original Australian Bushman’s Carnivals. He played in the Bloomfield Polo Team and continued on with a life long association with competition horses. G.B. (Guy) Haydon when camped with the Light Horse at Cairo, was chosen to represent Australia against the British Cavalry and riding the Bloomfield mare Midnight (by Tester) won the three events for Australia, the Sprint Race, Flag Race and Equitation Test. Unfortunately, Midnight was shot while jumping an enemy trench in the Battle of Beersheba. The bullet went through the mare, the saddle and lodged within millimetres of Guy’s lower spine. When the bullet was later removed five days later in the hospital at Cairo, he sent it back to his mother at Bloomfield, where it is still kept in the Archives, along with a personal account of the charge. Read Guy Haydon’s letter.

This famous charge has now been recognized as a National official day of remembrance, and has gone down in history as “the last successful mounted cavalry charge”. The feat of these Australian horses under the harsh desert conditions was truly remarkable and well documented. His brother B.B. (Barney) Haydon riding his Bloomfield mount Polo (by Tester) survived the entire Middle East campaign, a remarkable feat. This feat was also accomplished by Fred (by Tester) ridden by their neighbour Max Wright. Both were taken for their “last ride” as they could not be returned home. Barney Haydon was also one of the leading horsemen in the early days of Campdrafting and established an enviable record on the Bloomfield mare Haydon Thora. He later became a well known judge, officiating at the RAS and major shows all around Australia.

The Charge at Beersheba

The Charge at Beersheba

The fourth generation

F B Haydon at Bloomfield yards watching a young one ridden by F B (Jim) Haydon

F B Haydon at Bloomfield yards watching a young one ridden by F B (Jim) Haydon

The Bloomfield Homestead block was then taken over by Fred’s son F.B. (Jim) Haydon. Through his life he reached the top in Campdrafting, cutting, training, instructing, judging, breeding and producing polo ponies. He drafted in the N.S.W team at the Sydney RAS in the 1930’s and years later played polo on the same ground winning Champion Polo Pony with Haydon Gem in 1967. He took on the challenge of the quarter horses and won the Australian Cutting Horse Championships on the Bloomfield mare Haydon Gypsey II in 1969.

Haydon Dawn represented N.S.W. beating Queensland in the Atlantic Ethyl Campdraft Cup at the Sydney R.A.S in 1938 ridden by Jim Haydon

Haydon Gypsey 11 won the Australian Cutting Horse Championships in 1969 ridden by Jim Haydon

HRH the Prince of Wales riding Haydon Bambi in 1966 at Scone

His brother H.B. (Hilton) Haydon also established a similar reputation as a horseman as did his daughter Jill who won champion Galloway hack in Sydney many times on Bambalina. Guy’s son J.B. (John) Haydon also played polo like his father playing on home bred horses. His champion mare Haydon Eulalie continued on the Thora Family for the stud.

Bloomfield Campdraft Horses 1930 held by groom Jack Calinan

Bloomfield Campdraft Horses 1930 held by groom Jack Callinan

Campdrafting team NSW 1937 RAS winners G Wisemantle Radium 2, FB Haydon Promise, Reg Watts Norma, A Wiseman Barry

 NSW Campdrafting Team 1937 RAS winners; G Wisemantle-Radium 2, FB Haydon-Promise, Reg Watts-Norma, A Wiseman-Barry

Australian Stock Horse Society formation

ASHS 50 Years

ASHS 50 Years

50 Years Medallion

50 Years Medallion

With the formation of the ASH Society in 1971 the Bloomfield horses were all entered into the stud book being foundation members. The stud in 1982 was then divided between Jim’s sons Peter and James. Peter retained the Haydon Horse Stud prefix, continuing to register all the horses and James adopted the Scotts Creek Horse Stud prefix.

50 years Medallion 1st Meeting-back engraving

50 years Medallion First  Meeting engraving

2021 represented the 50 Year Anniversary of the 50 years Medallion 1st Meeting-back engraving formation of the ASHS. The stud has always been a strong supporter and stalwart of the Society from day one, being original members. Peter was an early classifier. This has been recognised going from a Gold Member to becoming a Platinum Member and receiving a 50 Years Medallion. Jim Haydon was at the first meeting which is acknowledged on the back of the Medallion.

Platinum Member Badge

Platinum Member Badge

Expansion of the Stud

Peter and Ali Haydon with the Jewel Family mares Haydon Pandora and Haydon Sky Jewel

The stud is currently run by Peter and his wife Alison, with their three sons Henry, Nick and David. The breeding numbers have been increased and on-property sales were held during the 1990’s. In 1991 34 horses were sold at the on property sale, in 1994 32 were sold and in 1997 46 were sold. A colt sale was held in 2011. Horses are sold continually privately and weanlings are sold on farm each year.

The horses have performed successfully across a broad spectrum of activities. Peter has competed successfully and pursued most horse avenues through pony club, jumping, eventing, Campdrafting, polo, cutting, roping, showing, judging, instruction and training.

Appointment to the Royal Stables, Windsor Castle, England

Peter Haydon riding Serene to Champion at 1991 Royal Windsor Horse Show

Peter Haydon riding Serene to Champion at 1991 Royal Windsor Horse Show

In 1989 Peter accepted an offer to play polo and manage the polo activities of H.R.H The Prince of Wales in England. During this time young horses bred by H.M. The Queen were started, trained and played polo by Peter, based at The Royal Mews, Windsor Castle. Great success was achieved in 1991 at Royal Windsor Horse Show when the stable for the first time dominated the Polo Pony Classes winning every class. The Light and Heavy Weight Classes, the Championship and Champion Turn Out. Peter rode the ASHS mare Serene so it was a real Aussie victory with the help of Australian grooms. It was a busy time with HRH The Prince of Wales playing in the high goal competitions as well as in all other grades plus a lot of charity games. He liked playing his polo as it was a good outlet from his other duties. In 1992 and 1993 Peter played professional polo at Guards Polo Club in England as well as working as a consultant in the city of London. In 1994 he judged at the  Royal Windsor Horse Show and in September the family returned to live full time back at Bloomfield Homestead.

Haydon Polo Team

Bloomfield Polo Team 1908 M Wright, GB Haydon, FB Haydon, JH White

Bloomfield Polo Team 1908 M Wright, GB Haydon, FB Haydon, JH White

In 1994 the three boys played at Ellerston in the junior polo league, all on Bloomfield bred horses. Henry (Haydon Beranghi Lass), Nick (Haydon Emerald) and David (Haydon Dark Jewel) at eight years old, hit the winning goal in the extra time to win the final and Nick took out the MVP award. They continued on through the Scone Junior Polo School, run by Peter and Alison. They helped with foal handling, played at young horse chukkas and with the general handling and riding of the young horses.

Haydon Polo Team 1996 with David, Nick, Peter and Henry Haydon

Haydon Polo Team 1996 with David, Nick, Peter and Henry Haydon

In 1996 Peter played with his three sons in Scone Polo Club’s Wootton Cup. It was quite a feat coordinating horses, saddles, bridles, sticks and strategies but made possible behind the scenes by wife and mother Alison. They reached the final but lost by one goal to a team rated six goals higher.

In 1997 they re-grouped and again made the final. After an exciting game they won beating Anto White’s team with the boys holding their own well in adult company. Nick at fourteen years of age was also awarded the club’s MacCleod Cup for the most improved player.

The Recent Years

Ali Haydon on Haydon Blush at Ellerston

Ali Haydon on Haydon Blush at Ellerston before playing overseas 

Ellerston White Nick Haydon 2005

Nick Haydon winning with Ellerston White in 2005 with 10 goalers Gonzalito Pieres and Pelon Sterling

In 2005 Nick won the J D MacLeod High Goal Trophy playing in Kerry Packer’s Ellerston White team alongside the renowned 10 goaler Gonzalo Pieres and 10 goaler nine goaler David ‘Perlon’ Stirling.

David Haydon-Madonna Ellerston 2013

Henry Haydon on Haydon Finch 2012 at Sydney Polo Club followed by David Haydon on Haydon Sky Jewel

David started playing more in 2010 winning the Scone League. His horse Haydon Madonna (by Drawn) was award BPP and he also played the runner up Haydon Luna. During this time he combined working in Sydney with playing at both Scone and Windsor Polo Clubs as well as at Ellerston. In 2011 he won two finals at Windsor on their last weekend of the autumn season.

The Haydon’s took on a ten year fight to stop the Bickham Coalmine and history was made when the Premier came to Scone to announced it would not proceed. The Upper Hunter’s position as a leading horse breeding centre had been preserved. After Kentucky it is the second largest horse breeding area in the world.

Peter Haydon Scone Festival VIP 2009

Peter Haydon Scone Festival VIP 2009 on Haydon Celestial

Scone horses stop the Bickham Coal Mine

In 2009 Peter’s contribution to the horse industry  was recognised when he was appointed Scone Horse Festival VIP. Click here to read article from Scone Advocate.

The Haydon horses go from strength to strength, performing at the highest level in many pursuits with continued International success. Haydon Satellite was exported as a sire in 2008 to the USA. Haydon Angel Jewel was recognised as the “world’s number one player Adolfo Cambiaso’s best mare to play outside Argentina”. She won BPP at the Cartier International Day, when Argentina defeated England in the Test Match in 2009 to win the Coronation Cup. She was in the winning Queen’s Cup and Gold Cup teams in 2010. She won BPP prizes in the US including being in the Best String at the US Open, she won the Argentine Triple Crown with the maximum La Dolfina 40 goal team, then back to win again in the UK high goal plus winning the Spanish Silver and Gold Cups in 2014 and 2015. She won every major tournament in the world and in 2017 was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

 

 

Haydon Scud Final Gold Cup 2010

Haydon Angel Jewel

Haydon Angel Jewel Champion International mare

In a memorable game for the stud, Haydon Scud by Haydon Drawn, also played in the final of the 2010 UK Gold Cup on the opposing team, played by 10 goaler Sapo Caset. He and Angel Jewel often clashed in fierce competition against each other both playing in three of the six chukkas, being as they were their main horses.

In 2010 Haydon Victoriana was exported to Argentina where she played the Argentine Open. After playing Olivia 11 at Ellerston, Alejandro Mussio took her to England for the high goal in 2011 and often played against Angel Jewel. Australia’s top player Ruki Baillieu won BPP at Ellerston on Flirt in 2011. Haydon Spanish Jet won the US Gold Cup in 2016 after a career playing around the world.

Eden Park winners, Windsor 6g 2011 J Francis, D Haydon, H Kelly, R Ballard

Eden Park winners, Windsor 6g 2011 J Francis, D Haydon, H Kelly, R Ballard

2017 was the 100 Years Commemoration of the Charge of Beersheba and a special Landline Documentary was produced filmed at the stud. Haydon Midnight legacy has lived on in a children’s book, documentaries, the Midnight race, paintings and she was even mentioned in the Prime Minister’s speech at Beersheba.

Midnight Trophy and Portrait 2018

Midnight Trophy and Portrait 2018

Haydon Drawn

Haydon Drawn-a once in a life time sire 

The influence of Champion Australian Three Old Drawn has been immense for the stud. His stock proved that the higher the level of competition the better they got, especially overseas. The showed exceptional ability and control at pace, a rare commodity. The stud used his sire son Haydon Nightwatch and retained many of his daughters.

Haydon Oracle to UK in 2018

In 2018 Haydon Oracle was exported to the UK as a foundation sire to start the ASHS in England, similarly as Haydon Satellite had done in America.

The stud has been fortunate to be able to tap into the world recognised bloodlines of Ellerston using the sires Solar, Churchill and Ruski, whose mother Cruiser proved one of the best international mares in 2018 in England before going on to play the Argentine Open.

The depth of the bloodline and it’s trainability now means two olds in their first month of riding will just follow the ball around to hit using no reins, which is setting the benchmark worldwide.

Ellerston Ruski November 2020

                                                               Ellerston Ruski November 2020

Peter Haydon 2018 winners of the Peisley Cup at Scone

                                      Peter Haydon’s team that won the 2018 Peisley Cup at Scone