Riverslea Farm Thoroughbred Stud at Denman

Riverslea purchase new farm at Denman NSW

After many successful years at our property in Aberdeen, we began looking for a new property we could expand to.  In 2008, we found a dream property right in the middle of the Hunter Valley's horse breeding heartland.  Surrounded by such recognised properties as Coolmore, Woodlands, Widden, Barumal, Patinack and Baerami, we knew we were in the right place.  The farm less than ten kilometres from Denman. The 100 acre property has over a kilometre of river frontage and is on the junction of the Goulborn and Wybong Rivers. The paddocks are fenced from the beautiful river flats through to the gently sloping hills with irrigation over 90% of the property when needed. We really think it's just perfect for us to keep the standard that our clients and buyers have become accustomed.

In 2006 Riverslea won the Stablemate - Magic Millions Award for Yearling Preparation at the Gold Coast sales. That was a great thrill, winning the 'gold medal' of yearling preparation considering there was over 1000 yearlings at the sales and four individual judges.

Stephen and Karen Irwin have a lifetime of experience around thoroughbreds as Stephen's father, Les, managed Narrung Stud and Blandford Stud while his brother Scott has Rothwell Park.

I met Karen when she was working for my brother at Bhima. She also worked at Twin Palms before we were married. We both love horses so we make a great team. We have made a big commitment here and believe Riverslea will be as good a boutique farm as you would see anywhere."

Karen's love for mares and foals has her very hands-on during the breeding season, running the vet shed and keeping all records and mare bookings running smoothly. She is always on the lookout for new mares for both our clients and our own farm. Please call either Karen or myself if you would like our advice on mare purchases or matings.

My passion is the yearling preparation from the handling of the foals through to when they are sold. Pinhooking has been a very strong part of our success - besides making some very good profits along the way we have sold horses of the quality of Zero Rules, Fragmentation, Galleni, Blackink, and Twin Wing from some of our pinhooks. Please call me if you are interested in purchasing weanlings for pinhooking or to race

My father, Les Irwin, is semi-retired now but to the great pleasure of Karen, the kids and I, Dad and his partner Leone have moved onto the property to help develop this into a showpiece farm.

Les raised, bred, managed and trained some of Australia's great horses - Taj Rossi, Nunkalowe, Biscalowe, Kings High, Flotilla, Savanna City, Juanmo, Lord Essex, Argent Wonder and Flying Luskin, just to name a few Group 1 winners.

It is great back up for me with the horses and well as a wise head to toss a few ideas around about developing the new farm. Who'd ever have thought we would be doing the feed up together again morning and night (he still won't let me drive though). We are currently very busy developing the farm and invite all new clients to come and stay in the guest cottage and see what we believe to be our horse heaven. 

- Stephen Irwin