Where it all began Yallambee Stud is owned, operated and organised by the Woodard family - Peter runs (in conjunction with marketing manager Greg Tobin) the administration, promotion & client communication from our Melbourne office, while Rick and his wife Christie - in tandem with hand-picked professional horsepeople - take care of the day-to-day farm operation… hell, you can even spot family patriarch, Ken, on the mower, or mum, Betty, working the garden! It's a family affair alright. Since day one. Back then, flairs and mullets hadn't quite made their way to Skipton (in Victoria's Western District where the Woodard family owned a mixed farming business), but the vision of running a commercial thoroughbred breeding operation certainly had. Back then, Peter and his younger brother Rick were boarding at Scotch College in Melbourne, but couldn't wait to get back to Skipton on holidays to "muck around with the horses"… Back then, Ken's Arctic Explorer colt - Frozen Section - had just started racing and the Woodards knew they had a good'un. Frozen Section was an outstanding racehorse, counting the VATC Underwood Stakes (G1) among his wins. He was also an entire and the Woodards decided to "diversify a little" and stand him at stud. That got the ball rolling - 1975 Cox Plate winner Fury's Order would soon join Frozen Section at Skipton, then Favoured Bay. A prolific winner-getter for the Woodards, Favoured Bay's winners included Burano, Priceless Prince, Thelma Josephine and Star Pyramul. But then, it was time to move on… Location, Location, Location By the late 70s, both Peter and Rick were working the farm full-time. Peter had done a stint in Kentucky to round out his 'education', while Rick had 'teamed up' with Christie, who too had spent her life on a farm, working mainly with cattle (it didn't prove to be a quantum leap as Christie is now regarded as one of the finest equine practitioners in Australia). But the Woodards felt it was time to move on - to find a place closer to Melbourne, yet with the facilities, pastures and tranquility of the 'bush'. A big ask… however, in Romsey they found it - over 700 acres in the heart of the Kerrie Valley. Just 25 minutes from Tullamarine International Airport (and that's not even with a Michael Schumacher wannabe behind the wheel) and 40 minutes from the Melbourne CBD, it could be a million miles from nowhere. It's all about the vibe! This truly is God's Country… lush pastures year round due to good rainfall, it's also testimony to Yallambee's strict policy of not overstocking its paddocks. In the 18 years since the move from Skipton to Romsey, Yallambee has developed into one of Victoria's leading studs… with amenities second to none. Safe, well sheltered paddocks, 'roomy' boxes, a first class veterinary facility (with resident vet surgeon Dr Ian Douglas) - five star service for all our 'guests'…	'Field of Dreams' This game of ours is all about dreams. Dreams of breeding a Slipper winner, a Derby hero or a Cups legend. At Yallambee we can't guarantee your goals will come true, but we can make you one promise ... we'll put in 110% to roadmap your dream. That's our dream - build it and they will come… Care and Attention Having spent their lives working on farms - Peter, Rick and Christie - know, we stress know, that the care and attention paid to ALL horses at Yallambee Stud is paramount. There are absolutely no certainties in the thoroughbred industry, but poor management and inferior animal husbandry will not get you closer to that elusive winner. It may sound clichéd, but the horses which reside permanently on the farm, those there for a quick holiday, or the 'one night stands' are all treated like family. Last season, 160 foals were born at Yallambee with Rick or Christie attending every foaling. It's the sort of hands on approach we reckon you appreciate. Hopefully it gets us one step closer to the dream…