Sunday, 5th April 2026
All enquiries - Gary Knowles 0406 599 773
Hunter Valley-based Lime Country Thoroughbreds often sits at or near the top of the vendors lists by average at the sales they attend, and this reflects the quality of their stock and their attention to detail in the preparation of their horses. With such great sales numbers comes the expectation of results on track, and in the spring of 2025, Lime Country Thoroughbreds already boasted eight individual horses featuring on the Black Type Premiership. Inglis Classic graduate Rivellino won the Gr2 Skyline Stakes and Listed Inglis Millennium at two, and most recently placed in the Gr2 Callendar-Presnell Stakes. He has earnings over $1.9 million off a $180,000 yearling sale price. From the same draft came the Group placed trio of Kujenga, O'Sheamus, and Sanctified. Gr3 winner Gangsta Granny has been consistent this spring, while On Display made her $1.1 million price tag worth every cent in winning the Listed Adelaide Guineas. She also ran third in the Gr1 Empire Rose Stakes this spring behind Horse Of The Year Pride Of Jenni. "We aim to produce horses that are well-grown, sound and well educated - the three most important things that will help them maximise their chance of success on the track. Our mares live in a peaceful and well-planned environment to ensure they breed quality foals. We pride ourselves on our horse management, there are no short cuts with feed, education or time. It's all about the quality of service, the quality of the staff and the outstanding natural environment." Greg and Jo Griffin's journey from New Zealand to the Hunter Valley has always been about the horses. A New Zealand representative in Polocrosse, Greg moved from polo to Thoroughbreds and together with Jo's marketing experience, they began Lime Country Thoroughbreds. Initially located in Hawke's Bay, where they sold Gr1 winner Media Sensation, the business was given the opportunity to relocate to Think Big Stud in 2016. After four years, they found their own property in the Hunter Valley, purchasing Ballygrove in Blandford in 2021. The first graduates from their new home are currently 4YOs. Straight Charge, who won the Gr2 Silver Slipper, was the first group winner from the new farm. "One of the main things we fell in love with about this property from the get-go were the paddocks. They're big, idyllic places for horses with large established trees, along with a mix of flats and hills. The back boundary is the legendary Pages River and Scott's Creek runs through one length creating a perfect natural separation area for the property. The grass is strong and, with generous water license and major irrigation established, the stock have every chance to flourish and thrive." Lime Country Thoroughbreds will present a draft of 16 yearlings at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. They have a further 21 yearlings entered in the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and are likely to bring a strong draft to the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
