They say Ōhaupō’s new stables match anything in Kentucky. Mary Anne Gill checks out Breckon Farm.
Ken and Karen Breckon at Breckon Farm Stables with Pirongia out to the west. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
A Waikato horse breeding legend has described Breckon Farm’s new state of the art complex in Ōhaupō as “world leading” saying no stone had been left unturned at the multimillion dollar development.
Sir Peter Vela said the vote of confidence in the industry by owners Ken and Karen Breckon – who have been breeding harness racing horses near Te Awamutu since 2007 – ensured the future for years and years.
“I’ve never seen anything like it anywhere in the world, it’s truly magnificent. It’s taken technology, logic, horse breeding to the next level.
“Just look at the technology. The windows that are automatically governed by temperature. That’s just so important when you’re dealing with animals,” Vela told The News after the official opening last week.
Ken and Karen Breckon with star mare Millwood Nike, 4, one of the greatest female pacers going unbeaten over 17 starts and with $690,932 in stakes’ money. She is now in foal to Art Major and settled into her premium accommodation. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
The stables have two wings housing 48 horses – one for colts and the other for fillies. Each stable has wash bays, feed and tack rooms and feeding facilities which the newly installed horses clearly loved.
The complex also includes a function-entertainment centre with views of Pirongia Forest Park to the west.
Guests from around New Zealand and Australia made the opening one of the most high-profile events in the racing calendar but it was Ken Breckon’s down-to-earth speech which stole the show.
Guests marvel at the automatic windows and the other technology in the Breckon Farm stables.
He talked of starting a small plumbing distribution business while his late brother Peter worked in the alcohol industry.
When they wanted to expand the plumbing business, they needed funding so called on family members to help. When told their mother might lose her house, the brothers went to the South Island and came back after two months having turned over $700,000 in business.
Suffering from stress, the brothers thought buying a horse might help so they went to the Karaka sales in 1995 and bought Megaera which went on to become a Group One winner and filly of the year.
Ken and Peter Breckon with Megaera, the filly they bought in 1995 which went on to become a champion. Photo: Supplied.
“They called us the Blues Brothers,” Ken told guests at the opening.
“She was lot 68 and she was going in the ring as we arrived. So, we went straight up, put our hands up, we’d never been to an auction in our lives, and we bought that horse for $35,000.”
But the brothers had not registered, and the auction had to be stopped halfway through to allow their details to be taken. Once bought they had no idea what to do with Megaera as they had no horse float or farm to take her to until they saw trainer Roy Purdon who organised for his sons Mark and Barry to make arrangements for her. The rest is history.
Waikato thoroughbred breeder and New Zealand Bloodstock owner Sir Peter Vela inside Breckon Farms new 48 box stabling area in Ōhaupō which opened last month. The multi million investment was a huge boost for the horse industry.
Peter Breckon died of a heart attack in 2003 after the brothers had established themselves as successful harness owners and breeders.
In 2007 Ken and Karen bought Sandy Yarndley’s 75ha standardbred farm in Ōhaupō and set about becoming one of the country’s premier standardbred breeders.
“The moment I came into this beautiful area, I fell in love with it,” said Ken.
“I say to people ‘if you have got a bucket and you wanna get rid of your money, this one here’s a hole in the bucket’.”
Harness Racing New Zealand chief executive Brad Steele cuts the ribbon to open Breckon Farm’s multimillion development at Ōhaupō.
It was clear the operation needed to expand though as the number of yearlings grew so, in 2019, they announced plans to build the new facility after visiting several stud farms around New Zealand, including Cambridge Stud which provided the “clincher”.
Five years later despite the setbacks Covid presented, the stables were complete.
“It’s as good as anything around people are telling me, as good as anything in Kentucky,” said Ken.
A selection of the food for guests at the opening of Breckon Farm Stables. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Before Harness Racing New Zealand chief executive Brad Steele have been instrumental in the growth and development of harness racing in New Zealand,” said Steele.
“Today we celebrate not just their success, but their vision for the future of this great sport.
“These new facilities are more than just a building project, they represent a significant leap forward for our industry, providing world class resources for horses and investors.
“These world class amenities will serve as the benchmark for others to follow,” said Steele.
Prized Breckon Farm mare Twist and Twirl on show between the stables and on the parade ground. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Millwood Nike, 4, one of the great female pacers in the harness racing industry, retired to Breckon Farm last year unbeaten over 17 starts and with $690,932 in stakes’ money. She is now in foal to Art Major and was the star turn at the opening.
Waipā district councillor Bruce Thomas with Millwood Nike, 4, one of the great female pacers in the harness racing industry, retired to Breckon Farm last year unbeaten over 17 starts and with $690,932 in stakes’ money. She is now in foal to Art Major.
