Early-to-mid last century the New South Wales town of Crookwell was known as a thriving harness racing hub which produced many Group One and Open Class standardbreds.
But as industry participants aged or moved away to more populated harness racing areas like nearby Goulburn, champions and the numbers of big-time winners, and stable numbers, dwindled.
Then six years ago, that all changed.
The little town located in the Southern Tablelands, had its harness racing life pumped back into it when Craig Judd moved to the picturesque village, which boasts just 2,641 people.
According to “micro-chipping statistics”, his new NSW – Benstud Standardbreds – is now the biggest standardbred equine breeding business in New South Wales.
“They are statistics we are very proud of. It has all happened in quick time too. It made sense to come here and set up Benstud Standardbreds in mid-2019. We believed there was a market in New South Wales and Crookwell was the ideal location. We wanted to extend our Victoria operation and try something different with a full-range of the latest state-of-the art facilities.”
“We did our homework. We knew the harness racing history the town had, but more importantly we also knew the area received up to 900mm of rain each year, even if there was a drought 30km away. This little pocket of land is a grass-growing dream. It has volcanic soil which is also a very important component in raising and breeding healthy, strong horses,” Craig said.
Benstud Standardbreds NSW – Volcanic soils and high rain fall
The father-of-three daughters (Eilish, Kendal, and Morgan) said the location was also ideal for his agistment business.
“With our Victorian stud being so successful we wanted to set up in rural New South Wales, and Goulburn (45km), Canberra (113km) and Syndey (237km) not too far away, it was common sense to choose Crookwell. It has always been a prominent harness racing town, and we are big supporters and sponsors of the Goulburn Harness Racing Club.”
“They are a progressive and friendly club and we have lots of clients and mates there. We like to support those that support us, and Goulburn, being so close, will always be special and important to our progress,” Craig said.
The family’s racing interest all stemmed from Judd’s grandfather, Arthur, who was a bookie. Then his father, Peter, owned a few pubs and horses early on which developed into a passion for standardbred breeding.
“Dad, Mum (Judy), myself and my ex-wife, Renee, purchased what was formerly Lynrose Stud in Katunga Victoria (235km north of Melbourne) off Graham and Lyn Ward 17 years ago. Then seven years ago my sister, Tracey, and her husband Mark Commadeur bought into the business, then a year later we expanded into Crookwell,” Craig said.
Judy and Peter Judd
The Benstud Standardbreds team
“We had 94 foals this year and 70 in Victoria. All up we rebred 210 off both farms, including 122 here,” he added.
To say Crookwell is a state-of-the-art operation is a big understatement. The facilities, which are now run by Craig and his new wife, Bec Hewitt, are pristine and modern, with lush grass and timber rail fences.
“We have the latest alarm system which tells us of any sign of a mare having foal troubles, and if there is we stay with them ensuring a healthy foal. It is paramount that we look after ‘Mum”. It doesn’t matter if it is a $4,000 or $100,000 mare, they all get the same love and attention, simply because each client believes their horse is a champion, and they are their pride and joy.”
“We are extremely proud of what we do for our clients and our own horses. We run a very caring family operation here,” Craig said.
The Crookwell farm is on 320 acres (180 leased), while Victoria boasts 600 acres. Craig said both farms had their own specialised vets for the foaling/breeding season.
“Anna Schroeder (NSW) works here, while Ellen Newton has been our permanent vet in Victoria for 10 years. Ellen’s husband, Cyle, is our farrier down south, while up here Cole Moxey does all the shoeing and foal corrective trims. All surgeries are performed by Alannah Norton (NSW), and Jim Vassey (Victoria).
“Our business wouldn’t have the reputation it has got together, without this expertise and friendship. Plus, all of our kids have, or do work on the Farm, and attend all the yearling sales,” said Craig.
And speaking of Yearling Sales, Benstud Standardbred has produced several champions over the years, and last year fetched their highest price ever at a Yearling Sale when Jean Feiss paid $220,000 for Lot 258 at the Melbourne Nutrien Standardbred Yearling Sale. This was a Bettor’s Delight colt from the dam (Ah) La Vitesse, who is a Well Said mare.
“We have produced some really nice yearlings with six-figure-plus results over the years. We have also seen many go on to be champions, and I’d imagine there are still many more to come.”
“Some that have come off the Crookwell Farm include, We Walk by Faith, Captain Ravishing, Tay Tay, Golly Gee Fellas, Tough Love, Sugar Pie Honey, and Renewal to name a few.”
“Those New South Wales stars are all from only four years of racing stock. Then on our Victoria farm we have produced guns like Heaven Rocks, Bling it on, Philadelphia Man, Centenario, Tough Tilly, Stars Align, Catch A Wave, Treachery, Pettilante, Jay Ok, She’s Ruby Roo, Hezasonovagun, and Sahara Breeze.”
Craig said now was the “silly” or very busy time of the year for both farms with three sales looming between February 23 and April 23.
Benstud Standardbreds will have six yearlings line up at the 2025 Ladbrokes Sunshine Stars Sale at Albion Park in Brisbane on Sunday February 23; 24 at the Nutrien Standardbred Yearling Sale in Sydney on Sunday March 9; and 25 in the Nutrien Standardbred Yearling sale in Melbourne on Sunday April 13.
“We are well and truly into our prep for these sales and we are delighted with the build, manners and conformation our yearlings have displayed. It’s now a matter of finesse and fine-tuning them for the big day,” Craig said.
One aspect of yearling sales he was proud of was Benstud Standardbreds was “100 per cent transparent” when it came to selling equine horse-flesh.
“I think we are the only Stud farm I know that has a public reserve price for everyone to know on the day. When the bidding gets past our reserve the horse is for sale. I’m happy for people to come to me and ask the minimum price that we will accept. Everything we have taken to Queensland in the past has sold. In fact, we virtually have a 100 per cent sale rate for most of our sales,” Craig proudly said.
“We have learnt a great deal from our first sale and each year we take those lessons on board and improve our standards. The last two years we have averaged $32,000 at the Brisbane sale, and this year we take a lot of confidence in Queensland. We are taking some quality genetics north,” he added.
Benstud Standardbreds will be represented in Brisbane via:
Lot 19:
Art Major colt and the first of two foals out of the 2017 Bettors Delight four-win ($40,688) mare, Classical Music (1:58), who won $40,000. “Outstanding individual. Proven cross.”
Lot 58:
Downbytheseaside colt and the third of four foals out of the late 2011 Rocknroll Hanover eight-win ($70,884) mare Miss Rocknroll (1:54.9) for Matt Tuza.
Lot 60:
Downbytheseaside filly and the fifth of six out of the 2011 Sportswriter one-win (eight starts – $4,925) mare, Naevia (2:01.7) “Family boasts a lot of speed and the mare is a 100 per cent producer for 3-year-and-older yearlings.”
Lot 62:
Always B Miki colt and fifth of five foals out of the 2009 Art Major 18-win ($210,080) mare, Our Femme Fatale (1:55.3), for Nixon Bloodstock.
“The mare was a Group One $100,000 Vicbred 3yo final winner at Melton in July 2012 and Group two-placed. She is a super mare. Lovely little type, very neat and correct. He is also strong and robust unlike a lot of Always B Miki’s, who are usually long and lengthy.”
Lot 66:
Timoko chestnut colt and third of four foals out of the 2012 Love You eight-win mare (17 starts – $63,503), Parisian Chic. “We are pleased to present this colt for Pat Driscoll. The colt is a tall, lengthy, strong type of horse that covers a lot of the ground quickly. Both of the mare’s won Cups. This is a new frontier for Benstud.”
Lot 93:
Captain Crunch filly and sixth of six foals out of the 2011 Bettors Delight three-win (from 10 starts – $16,528) mare, The Stunning One (1:58.9) The mare, who is out of the 1999 two-win Classic Garry mare, Classic Cathy, is the older half-sister to the 2012 Somebeachsomewhere 19-win ($323,030) gelding, Phoenix Prince (1:52).
“He was an outstanding pacer who won the Group Two Geelong and Cranbourne Cups in 2019 and we are proud to be presenting this filly for Nixon Bloodstock.”
The Brisbane catalogue: https://portal.nutrienequine.com.au/catalogues/93
Craig then singled out some nice types for both the Sydney and Melbourne sales.
Sydney:
Lot 3:
Trixton filly and the fourth of four foals out of the 2014 Down Under Muscles maiden (seven starts) mare, Princessa Ruth. She is a half-sister to the 1:54.1 10-win Creatine mare, Shes Ruby Roo.
Lot 15:
What the Hill colt and the sixth of seventh foals out of the 2011 Majestic Son three-win (from eight starts – $38,075) mare, Royal Treat (2:03.2).
Lot 27:
Art Major colt and the eighth of nine foals out of the 2012 unraced Somebeachsomewhere mare, Someone To Love. An “exceptional” half-brother to the 1:51.4 15-win gelding, Amami. The oldest foal, the A Rocknroll Dance gelding, Curly James (1:50.4) also won 14 races ($345,112), and has placed in numerous group and Listed races, including runner-up in last year’s Group One Victoria Cup. He was also victorious in last year’s Group two Shepparton Pacing Cup.
Lot 45:
Downbytheseaside colt, who is the fifth of six foals out of the 2014 Bettors Delight three-win ($75,650) mare, War Dan Bad Girl – who won the Group Two 2017 APG 2yo Fillies Consolation at Melton.
Lot 162:
Stay hungry colt, who is the second of three foals out of the 2016 Bettors Delight six-win mare, Jemstone (1:55.5). She placed in two Group Ones and a Group Two.
The Sydney Catalogue: https://portal.nutrienequine.com.au/catalogues/92
Melbourne:
LOT 239:
(HALF-BROTHER TO LAST YEAR’S $220,000 TOP SELLER – a Bettor’s Delight – (Ah) La Vitesse (Well Said) colt.
Huntsville colt, who is the fourth of five foals out of the 2015 seven win ($31,005) Well said mare, (Ah) La Vitesse (1:58:1). “The bloodlines and last year’s sales result say it all.”
Lot 280:
Sweet Lou filly, who is the fourth of four foals out of the 2013 six-win ($32,395) Bettors Delight mare, Perfectlyimperfect (1:58). Her full sister, Naturally Gifted (1;50.8) has won 11 races and $258,413) including the 2023 Group One Queensland derby. Also Group Three and Classic Listed placed.
Lot 283:
Bettors Delight colt, who is the third of four foals out of the 2015 unraced Art major mare, Reachforthetill.
Lot 334:
Captaintreacherous colt, who is the fourth of four foals out of the 2014 six-win ($100,600) Art major mare, Angel of Arts – who ran second in the 2018 3yo Breeders Crown Final at Melton.
The Melbourne Catalogue: https://portal.nutrienequine.com.au/catalogues/94
