After three generations of breeding countless winners, the Turkington family have decided to call time on their Thoroughbred business.
Gary and Phoebe Turkington's decision to put the Wattle Brae Throughbred Stud at Pilton on the market was made after their children decided to pursue academic careers.
Mr Turkington will keep 100 hectares of land and the home where he and Phoebe reside, which neigbours the stud complex.
The Turkingtons will offer 406 hectares in nine freehold lots, which include the stables, original homestead, a second home, staff quarters and office complex at auction through Ray White Rural in Brisbane, on June 7.
"I am looking to keep about half a dozen of my best mares, plus a handful of friends and longstanding clients," Mr Turkington said.
"We are negotiable on the balance of broodmares and stallions at stud.
Romy, Paris and Freya were not interested in taking on the Throughbred breeding business
- Gary Turkington
"My plan is to try my hand and buy a dozen or so Wagyu heifers and join by AI to produce steers and I will retain the heifers."
Their three daughters Romy, Paris and Freya were not interested in taking on the Throughbred breeding business so they decided it was time to sell.
"All the girls love the farm and ride horses but they have chosen academic careers," he said.
Over the years the Wattle Brae Stud has bred 400 Black Type winners and many thousands of other winners.
The Turkington family have also stood some great stallions include Passing Glance, Pandour, Claudius, Captain Piper and Easy Rocking.
The Turkingtons have sold their yearlings at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast, and at the William Inglis and Sons Bloodstock sales in Sydney and Melbourne.
Mr Turkington is the fourth generation custodian as the country was first taken up by Gary's great-grandfather, George Turkington, in 1910, who had left Ireland as a 15-year-old. George eventually settled his family of 12 on an annexure of Pilton Homestead, one of the great Darling Downs holdings dating back to 1870.
George and his wife Susan made their living out of cows, but always had a passion for fast horses. Eldest son Thomas, and his wife Daisy, established Wattle Brae Stud in 1921.
Helen Walker
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
