Treading a whole new path of marketing by a Thoroughbred Stud, Peter secured a long term sponsorship of the VRC Yallambee Stud Stakes on Derby Day.

With this Peter snapped up a prime piece of real estate in the Birdcage for the sponsorship marquee during the four days of Melbourne Cup Carnival. The problem was there was not enough floor space for the number of guests desired.

Discussing this with Rick in the farm kitchen, Rick quite simply said “go up, we double our area”. Sounded simple, but there lay the challenge- could someone build a double story marquee? Sure enough, in 1997, the first year of sponsorship up went a two story marquee.

This unique marquee in the birdcage generated enormous interest by the press and celebrities alike.

To win the Luxbet Best Presented Draft (Melbourne Premier Sales) in the first year of its introduction was particularly rewarding. The criteria for eligibility are a draft of 3 or more yearlings with the focus on yearling preparation, presentation of staff, general stable presentation, management and professionalism. We presented 29 yearlings to the market that year. This was a great effort by the whole team to set the benchmark across those numbers. Yallambee Stud at Barn D in Melbourne is well known for not just the quality yearlings, but also for the marquee and catering!

Located only 10 minutes apart in the Macedon Ranges, Contract Racing and Yallambee Stud have developed a great working relationship over the years. Rick and Christie foal down all of the mares owned by David & Jenny. Considering the standard of the mares the Moodies own, this is a great privilege. David’s farm manager, Troy Khan is an integral part of this farm bond and we have taken this one step further by now sharing and co-ordinating truck and driver Greg Capewell to walk in mares for service to NSW stallions. It was immensely rewarding for Peter and Rick to present the 2010 Yallambee Stud Australian Champion 2 Year Old (Crystal Lily, Golden Slipper winner) to David and Jenny. And yes, we are foaling down Crystal Snip again this year. Of course Crystal Snip is carrying a full to Crystal Lily by Stratum. We look forward to that!

Since the introduction of the Yallambee Stud Australian Champion Two Year Old of the Year Gai Waterhouse has been the recipient of this prestigious award an incredible six times in 12 years - a 50% strike rate! This includes in 2000 Assertive Lad, 2003 Hasna, 2004 Dance Hero, 2005 Fashions Afield, and 2007 Meurice. Pictured are Denise Martin of Star Thoroughbreds and Gai Waterhouse with Peter, Rick and Sam Woodard celebrating Sebring’s inclusion to this impressive list of 2 year olds in 2008.

1998 saw a major coup by Yallambee Stud by securing the sponsorship rights to high profile jockey Damian Oliver - this was a first for an Australian stud and a first for a jockey to form such a relationship. Yallambee Stud and Damien still enjoy a close affiliation on many levels, including a couple of trips to Japan to race Testa Rossa with the party including Rick & Christie, John Cappellin and others (at the time Testa Rossa was secured by Yallambee to stand this champion horse at stud) . Damien is seen here receiving a trophy from Yallambee Stud as jockey for VRC Yallambee Stud Stakes on Derby Day 1997 for his ride on the Ingham owned Confiscate.

In 2004, the introductory year of Yallambee Stud selling yearlings in the Magic Millions sales was a yearling very special to Yallambee Stud, especially Christie Woodard. Yallambee Stud’s draft located in the Testa Rossa Barn included a colt bred, foaled, prepared and owned by Christie. Testafiable later went on the win the G3 VRC Carbine Club Stakes and the G1 SAJC South Australian Derby. Returning to the Gold Coast with another draft of yearlings in 2008 and to see the Testafiable flag flying on our usual barn was an enormous thrill. We had gone to those sales, and in the first year sold a group 1 winner worthy of a flag.

Yallambee Stud has supported South Australian racing since 2001 by sponsoring the The Group 2 SAJC Yallambee Classic on Adelaide Cup Day. In 2008 the winner was Magically (by Danehill (usa) from Magic Music) bred and raced by Mr Gerry Harvey. Gerry is seen here with Peter, Rick and Christie Woodard. Magically has since been bred by some of the countries top stallions and has produced foals by Hussonet (usa), Encosta De Lago and More Than Ready.

It could not be more fitting that in 2005 Rockford Bay wins the VRC Yallambee Stud Stakes in a heart stopping race. Owners Lindsey and June Williams, who are based in the US were then and still are great supporters of Yallambee Stud, with mares residing at the farm. Making the trip for the Cup Carnival was a great double for them, winning the race, and having the family there to help celebrate. Seen here is the Williams family, the Woodard family and trainer Mike Moroney.

Peter and Rick enjoy a laugh with the lady with a larger than life personality,
Lillian Frank.

Molly - always a highlight, and always a pleasure to have him visiting our marquee
on Derby Day.

2005/2006 saw Yallambee Stud receive three major industry awards. Peter and Rick receive the trophy from Jenny Ingelton for the 2005/2006 John Ingleton Champion Victorian Stallion - Testa Rossa. On the same night, Yallambee Stud was also awarded the 2005/2006 Super Vobis Nominator of the Year. Perhaps the most gratifying award was the Woodard Family receiving the TBV Outstanding Achievement In Breeding Award, which recognised not only the current custodians of Yallambee Stud, but the contribution made the Stud’s founders, Ken and Betty Woodard.