Wednesday, 1st April 2026
All enquiries - Gary Knowles 0406 599 773
Arguably one of the leading thoroughbred nurseries in the southern hemisphere, Mill Park Stud's expansive 10,000 acres of undulating, limestone-based countryside, offers abundant space and naturally rich pastures ideal for raising young horses. Owned and operated by the Watson family – Peter and Serena along with their son Chris and his wife Sian, the property was originally purchased by Serena's father and his brothers in the 1950s and initially run as a cattle and sheep property. The Watson family's interest in thoroughbreds began as a hobby with a small band of broodmares and this early passion grew into a fully commercial breeding operation in the early 1990s, particularly after a significant broodmare influx from Toorak Park, setting Mill Park on a trajectory toward producing high-quality racehorses. Today, Mill Park Stud houses around 200 horses, including approximately 80 resident broodmares, and is widely recognised within the industry for consistently producing a plethora of stakes performers year in and year out. "Our location and climate give us a real advantage. It's an exceptional part of the world to raise livestock, and horses in particular, thrive in these conditions," said Chris Watson. "Being close to the coast is a little unconventional for a thoroughbred operation, but it's something that's worked extremely well for us over time." The farm combines its deep knowledge of pedigrees with careful mating decisions and personalised care, ensuring each horse is nurtured according to its individual potential. Large paddocks and low stocking rates allow each horse ample space to grow and develop naturally, while specialist staff and facilities, including on-site veterinary care and dedicated yearling preparation areas support optimal health and conditioning before sales or returning into work ahead of a training campaign. With winners of the Caulfield Cup, Robert Sangaster Stakes, Blue Diamond Stakes, Makybe Diva Stakes, Oakleigh Plate, Champagne Stakes, Toorak Handicap, as well as the Victoria and South Australia Derbies to name a few, Mill Park Stud has produced no fewer than 22 individual Gr1 winners highlighted by the likes of Rebel Raider, Warning, Benedetta, Happy Trails, Fawkner, Gold Guru, Instant Celebrity, Mummify and many more. And it's not just the stakes winners off the farm, but also what those families go on to produce in future generations. This season's G1 AJ Moir Stakes winner Baraqiel and Gr1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Tentyris, as well as Cosmo Kuranda, a narrow second in Japan's G1 Arima Kinen, although not directly bred by Mill Park, are out of daughters, and grand daughters of mares nurtured at the famed South Australian property. "A major factor in what we do is the level of detail we apply across every stage from pedigree analysis to stallion selection and all the decisions in between," said Watson. "We aim to pair the right mare with the right stallion and try not to use unproven sires unless we think the mating works very well. "Above everything else, the people behind Mill Park play a huge role in what we achieve as we're fortunate to have a dedicated team who genuinely care about the farm and the horses. Their passion and commitment are fundamental to our success." In 2026, Mill Park Stud will take a draft of 14 to the Magic Millions yearling sale, and a further 8 to the Inglis Premier before sending a large group to their hometown sale of the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.
