Farm Manager

In association with Brown, Pennell

Having the number one stud job in New Zealand harness racing doesn’t faze Scott Yarndley.

After all he has been brought up in the standardbred industry all of his life and is one of the best credentialed studmasters in the country.

Yarndley is the farm manager at Ohaupo-based Breckon Farms and is the son of long-time harness racing identity Sandy Yarndley. “My father and grandfather were both involved with horses when I was a youngster.

“My grandfather was involved in both codes and I remember heading down to the Te Awamutu track when he had Black Watch. With the involvement my father, Sandy, had it was just a natural progression that I got involved with the mares and foals and the prep of the sale yearlings from around the age of 11.

“I went off to boarding school and worked on the farm during the holidays. Once I left school I worked for a couple of years on the farm then left for about eight years then came back. Slowly but surely I took over the management role while the farm was still owned by Sandy and Jan (Yarndley) and now manage it for Ken and Karen Breckon.”

He says his role at Breckon Farms is the number one job on a stud farm in the New Zealand harness racing industry.

“We get to work with some of the best bred horses in our industry and we also have the best group of owners anyone could ask for, some of whom have become life long friends,” Scott says.

There was never going to be any other career choice for Scott.

“Growing up on a farm and being around the stock just seemed to suit me. You don’t just wake up one morning and think hey I like horses, you either do or you don’t. The bad ones just make you appreciate the goods one,” he says.

Scott says one of the highlights of his job is being able to follow the progress of the broodmares and their resultant progeny.

“When you are with the mares year round and you follow their progeny and they perform on the track is a real highlight,” he says.

Yarndley believes Breckon Farms will establish itself firmly in the industry as a leader in the breeding and agistment of well mannered and presented stock.

“We are always looking at new ways of improving our service to the client and the horses,” he says.

So what makes Breckon Farms so successful?

“The people involved in the organisation. From the owners Ken and Karen (Breckon) and their charismatic can do attitude, our excellent staff, the vets and even our singing blacksmith. It’s the total combination of many things that makes Breckon Farms so successful,” he says.

Yarndley says the current star broodmares at Breckon Farms are: Giveitawhirlgirl ,Lauraella,Hotshoe Shuffle,Fear Factor,Vicario,Dancing Diamonds,Twice As Good,Black Maire, Ok Rock,Queen Of Fire,
Braeside Lady and,Rock N Rhonda. Maiden mares to be served this year include,Twist And Twirl,
Holly Madison,Yankee Doosie and Luby Ann.