Peter Orton retires

One of the breeding industry’s true stalwarts in Peter Orton announced his retirement in late May, bring to end an amazing era at Vinery Stud. The manager of that famed Hunter Valley nursery since its inception in 2000, Peter has been at the forefront of the stud’s many achievements which includes one of the great shuttling success stories in More Than Ready. Stallions like Red Ransom, Testa Rossa, Mossman, All Too Hard and now Ole Kirk have kept the Vinery name in lights with Peter deciding that all was right timing wise to hand the reins over.

“Vinery is in a great place,” he said, “it has a good reputation and Ole Kirk is going so well; it just felt to me that the time was right - both for the farm and for myself.” Peter is looking forward to spending time at home; “we have a nice farm and I can enjoy it now,” he said, happy to have his own group of mares and a few owned by friends to look after.

“I will just take it easy for a while,” he added. “We are heading to Africa next month and we will do a bit more travelling overseas and around Australia.” Peter finishes up at Vinery at the end of the season, feeling that to be an appropriate time. “In racing August 1 is our new year, the time for fresh ideas and new beginnings,” he said. Katie Page was keen to lay credit for the farm’s success to Peter, noting that “over Peter’s 25 years leading Vinery, Gerry and I have been the beneficiaries of Peter’s peerless expertise, wise counsel and vision; both personally and professionally.” “To say we are grateful is such an understatement,” she said.

Fellow Vinery shareholder Steve McCann echoed those sentiments. “Peter has for many years been one of the most respected thoroughbred experts in the country and he has made a tremendous contribution to both Vinery and the broader industry.” Peter looks forward to continuing to follow the fortunes of Vinery horses, excited by the start Ole Kirk has made. Currently Australia’s leading first season sire by earnings, winners, wins and stakes winners, Ole Kirk (whose dam is a half-sister to fellow Vinery resident All Too Hard) has four stakes winners amongst his first dozen winners.

“I thought it was important to leave at a time when the operation was in a great place with exciting young stallions coming through,” Peter said. Peter said that he “had a lot of horses to choose” from when asked about his favourites over the years, citing it a privileged to have worked with the likes of Danehill and More Than Ready whilst Vinery was also the birth place of Exceed And Excel. And he has a special soft spot for the dual Group 1 winning sprinter Samaready who has done the job on and off the track (dam of Shinzo and Exhilarates), describing her as “special.” “She is such a sweet mare,” he said.

Peter Orton has had a distinguished career in the thoroughbred industry and has excelled in every role he has held. We have appreciated both his support of our publications and his generous friendship over a long period. All of us at Bluebloods wish him a stress free and happy retirement. Andrew and Margaret Reichard. BBBB