Brickie bites the bullet and becomes a fulltime breeder

Jake Stockton started with just one mare and has poured his heart and soul into harness racing in the last 20 years to build Wingate Farm, an elite breeding program with high quality broodmares and two stallions at stud. 

Stockton was 19 years old when he bought Mataranka Molly in foal to Panorama for $6000 in 2003. 

The granddaughter of champion mare Hyperstat went on to produce five winners of more than $600,000 for the bricklayer from Alfredtown and laid the foundations for Wingate Farm. 

“Without Mataranka Molly, we wouldn’t be in the position we are in today,” Stockton said. 

“Her first foal was Rotkara Rama, who was a handy horse, but then she produced Mach Wiper (1.54.1, $282K) and my favourite horse of all time Stirling William (1.52.9, $217K). We still have one of her daughters as a broodmare.  

“I put every dollar they earned back into the industry to develop the breeding program. Last year, I decided to bite the bullet and go full time with the horses. Before that I had the bricklaying business as well.” Stockton continues. “We bred 25 mares this year and both stallions (Be Happy Mach and Tin Tin In America) were well patronized – Be Happy Mach got 80-odd mares.” 

“And a couple of years ago, I bought O Baby and Dancing Diamonds from New Zealand to strengthen the broodmare list.” 

Stockton was born into harness racing but lost touch with the industry after his father died. 

“My grandfather, Les Stockton, had a stud in the Riverina,” he said. “My dad was a hobby trainer but he passed away when I was very young. It wasn’t until I started working that I decided to buy a broodmare. I knew it would be a faster path into the sport if I bought a racehorse but it has worked out well.” 

Wingate Farm will offer nine yearlings at the APG Sydney Yearling Sale on February 25. And with colts by supersires Somebeachsomewhere and Bettors Delight, there is a chance Stockton will produce a sale-topper. 

“We have the only two Somebeachsomewhere colts in any APG sale this year and I don’t think there is much of his semen left, so it could be the last chance his youngsters go through the sales ring,” Stockton said. 

“Lot 307 is a three-quarter brother to Be Happy Mach (P2,1.52.7, $344K), who was Australian 2YO colt of the year, and a half brother to Heza Thrill (1.49.2, $469K). 

“He looks just like Be Happy Mach. He is just bigger and stronger and looks like a two-year-old. The Somebeach, Mach Three sire line works with this family and we think he will attract plenty of attention.” 

Lot 318 is a Somebeachsomewhere colt out of Delightful Jackie, a half sister to superstar mare Frith (1.51.9, $1.1mil) – who has already produced 3YO Australian Gold Bullion winner Peaceful (1.51.7, $145K). 

Third dam, Miss Paula, left 12 winners (four $250K earners) – including McRaes Mate (1.51, $482K) and 2YO colt of the year Greg Kelly (1.56.4, $345K). 

Stockton also thinks (Lot 362) the gelding by Bettors Delight out of multiple Group 1 winning mare O Baby (1.54.8, $391K) will be sought after. 

“This colt is a lovely type and is bred on the golden cross of Bettors over a Christian Cullen mare that produced the likes of Lazarus and Chicago Bull,” he said. “Her two-year-old from last year, Treacherous Baby, ran second in a Group 1 race in New Zealand and showed a lot of promise for the Purdons.” 

For full details of Wingate farms draft and all catalogued yearlings in the 2024 Australian Pacing Gold Yearling Sales please visit our Online Sales Catalogue or Register as a Buyer now.

From APG Ltd