Country: Made of good stock

By CEDRIC GRAY

Curraghmore Stud is up for grabs. It doesn't some cheap, but it's among the finest there is.

Staff at the Curraghmore thoroughbred stud, south of Hamilton, have been under pressure this week.

They prepared 31 yearlings for the Premier and Select sessions of the National Yearling Sales, held at Karaka. A further 15 yearlings will be paraded on the final four days of the sale.

Curraghmore, one of the biggest thoroughbred studs in the country, is on the market. It is owned by David Gardner, a prominent Tauranga businessman, and it has a capital value (Sept 1999) of $2.1 million. The asking price is $1.95 million.

The stud comprises 63.6750 ha (in two titles) in Gillard Rd, Ngahinapouri. It is typically fertile Waikato grazing country, with Rukuhia peat on the flat land and Hamilton clay loam on the undulating sections.

The contour lies beautifully to the north, and with strategic tree-planting for stock shelter, adequate water from a deep well bore, and extensive paddock subdivision, it is regarded as ideal thoroughbred breeding country.

There are 80 horse boxes altogether, 15 of which are in the main stables and administration centre.

Built on two levels, the administration centre includes a comfortable two-bedroom unit and office facilities.

The lower stables feature more than 50 horse boxes, 40 grassed day paddocks, the parade area, the central courtyard and a self-contained flat.

The main residence, which is set in expansive lawns and gardens, is a 20-year-old, five-bedroom Lockwood-designed home. There are two other houses - a 10-year-old, three-bedroom Signature home on a separate title, and an older-style, three-bedroom property with a bunk room that is used as staff quarters.

The outbuildings include a veterinary area, a foaling watch room and the stallion stables, which are home to the two resident sires Daggers Drawn and City on a Hill.

Curraghmore is being marketed by Don Thompson Real Estate, Hamilton. Phone 07 854 5553 for details.