In further good news for the Victorian breeding industry, a major investment will see Woodside Park return to Northwood in north central Victoria.

Darren Thomas’ Seymour Bloodstock has bought Newlands Farm – next door to Godolphin on Northwood Road – with Woodside to manage the quality property. As part of the major investment, Thomas will move his band of high quality broodmares to the farm.

The farm was built originally by Walter Altieri and comprises of 500 acres of prime pasture along the Goulburn River. In 2007 it was bought by Peter Rowsthorn senior and operated as Wadham Park before being sold to Jim and June Anderson in 2011.

Darren Thomas is an Adelaide business identity in charge of Thomas Foods International, a family-owned, major agribusiness company. He is perhaps best known in Victorian racing for ownership of horses such as He’s Our Rokki, Keen Array and Don’t Doubt Mamma, but also has sizeable breeding interests in South Australia.

2016 foals for Seymour Bloodstock include a Written Tycoon half brother to flying filly Heatherly and a filly by Not A Single Doubt from three time NZ Group 1 winner Viadana.

Recent Group race winning mares Risque and Don’t Doubt Mama and recent acquistion Mossin Around will eventually join the Seymour Bloodstock broodmare band. As will recent impressive Cranbourne winner Ceylon.

Woodside assumed management of the property, renamed Seymour Park, on October 1st. Having recently sold their farm at Canungra, Queensland, they will now undertake yearling preparation at Northwood

“We know the property very welland the facilities are outstanding,” said Woodside’s Stud Manager Gerard Jones.

“Initially we will prepare out 2017 yearling draft from here and we will look to use it for our dry & maiden mares for next season. While we only have Written Tycoon standing at our Tylden property this year, we will be welcoming back Zoustar and Rich Enuff next season so we will be very busy.”

Will Rowsthorn, who will be managing Seymour Park, is excited by returning to the property formerly owned by his grandfather Peter.

“This enables Woodside’s expansion to continue as well as its great opportunity to manage and assist in the growth of Darren Thomas Seymour Bloodstock,” Will said.

“We are both making significant investments in quality bloodstock and the utilisation of such a renowned property gives us great excitement for the future.

“My farming background and the fact that I will be living on the property will give me an opportunity to continue further development of the pastures that will enable us to give our stock the best nutritional care.”