Stonehouse Thoroughbreds is a top class environment for your Thoroughbreds, and is operated by Ryan Arnel. So often in racing, a passion for Thoroughbreds comes from a family member, and for Ryan Arnel, it was his grandmother who drew him in. She had managed Victoria’s first TAB, and this passion for racing continued through her life. Arnel completed an Advanced Diploma of Agriculture with Melbourne University while working on cattle stations, and this allowed him to grow his love of livestock. Awarded the Australian Stud Book Scholarship to study Horse Business Management at Marcus Oldham College in Geelong, Arnel gained experience with sales companies, before travelling to the UK to work with stallions. Arnel also has an interest in breeding working dogs, and his old favourite Gogetta Zoe even has her own page on Stonehouse Thoroughbred’s website.
Arnel brings this wealth of practical experience to Stonehouse Thoroughbreds, where he aims to provide a high quality service at affordable rates. Located in the heart of central Victoria beside the Bet Bet Creek in Eddington, Stonehouse Thoroughbreds consists of 150 acres of rich loam soils and beautiful creek flats. The surrounding district is renowned for cattle fattening enterprises, and Lucerne production, making the land ideal for growing young Thoroughbreds. The property is divided into excellent paddocks with high quality safe fencing, and has a range of facilities for young Thoroughbreds as well as spelling race horses.
With reliable water supply from the Bet Bet Creek, as well as a private spring fed lagoon, the land consistently produces top quality grazing for horses. Every paddock has shelter, and native shelter belts line every paddock. These trees also provide wildlife corridors for local fauna, so you might just catch a glimpse of a koala, echidna, or wombat while visiting your horse at Stonehouse Thoroughbreds. The property also has a stable complex for sales preparation, and a six horse walking machine. Full veterinary facilities ensure that broodmares are catered for during the season, as well as ensuring that horses have all their needs supplied no matter what age or stage they are at. Veterinary services to Stonehouse Thoroughbreds are provided by the Victorian Equine Group in Bendigo, whose vets have vast experience and are on call for the farm always.
As well as sales preparation, Stonehouse Thoroughbreds also offer a breaking in service for young horses, and take each horse from unbroken through to being confidently ridden in a quiet six week period. There is no need to rush a horse, and often extra time is taken to ensure the horse is physically and mentally ready for a happy future on the track.
Spelling racehorses are catered for at Stonehouse Thoroughbreds with Arnel having a simple philosophy – good food, warmth and correct trimming – will ensure that each horse goes back to the stable sound and in the best condition to achieve its maximum potential on the track.
Stonehouse Thoroughbreds is a modern farm that prides itself on timely communication with all clients. Farm visits are encouraged, and every individual horse has a program that is discussed with their owners to ensure the client is satisfied with the process. Regular updates and photos are all part of the standard service from Stonehouse Thoroughbreds.
