Kia Ora Stud

Kia Ora Stud is a Thoroughbred horse-breeding property near Scone in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia. Its modern history began in 1914, when Percy Miller acquired the cattle property Kia-Ora from the established Segenhoe Stud. Miller subsequently developed the property into a major Thoroughbred breeding and sales operation. The stud entered the public yearling market in 1917, offering two yearlings at the Sydney Easter Sales. That modest initial consignment developed into a sustained commercial breeding program: between 1917 and 1949, Kia Ora presented 2,862 yearlings for sale, including a peak consignment of 105 yearlings at the 1941 Sydney Easter Sales. The property became associated with both commercial scale and high racing quality. Horses born and raised at Kia Ora included Amounis, Evening Peal, Shannon, Delta, Hydrogen and Windbag. Kia Ora-bred horses won the Melbourne Cup on seven occasions, an achievement that forms a central part of the stud's historical reputation in Australian racing. The operation also stood several stallions that became Australian champions, including Baguette, Gunsynd, Midstream and Delville Wood. These stallions linked Kia Ora not only to the production of individual racehorses but also to the wider development of Australian Thoroughbred bloodlines. Kia Ora remained under the ownership of Percy Miller and his family until approximately 1959. It subsequently passed through the ownership of George Ryder and John Clift before being sold again in 2000. The available reference material does not identify the current owner or provide a complete account of the stud's post-2000 corporate structure. The property continues to operate under the Kia Ora Stud name and is represented by a dedicated website. Its business scope is centered on Thoroughbred breeding, the raising and preparation of young racehorses, and participation in the Australian bloodstock sales market. A notable later transaction occurred at the 2007 Inglis Easter sale, where a Redoute's Choice–Procrastinate yearling bred by the stud sold for A$2 million. This sale illustrated the continuing commercial value attached to Kia Ora's breeding program and its association with elite Australian bloodstock. Overall, Kia Ora Stud is best understood as a historic Australian racing institution and breeding brand rather than a mass-market consumer business: its reputation rests on its property, bloodlines, stallion history, race results and the sales performance of its graduates.

Kia Ora Stud is a historic Thoroughbred breeding property located near Scone in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales. The property's recorded development as a racehorse stud began in 1914, when Percy Miller purchased the Kia-Ora cattle property from Segenhoe Stud. Miller transformed the property into a Thoroughbred operation and established the foundations of a breeding business that would become closely associated with Australian racing history. The stud entered the commercial yearling market in 1917, when it offered two yearlings at the Sydney Easter Sales. Its activity expanded considerably over the following decades. From 1917 through 1949, Kia Ora presented 2,862 yearlings for sale. At the 1941 Sydney Easter Sales alone, it offered 105 yearlings. These figures indicate that the stud functioned not merely as a private breeding estate but as a substantial participant in Australia's organized bloodstock market. Kia Ora's historical importance also derives from the racing success of horses born and reared on the property. Its graduates included Amounis, Evening Peal, Shannon, Delta, Hydrogen and Windbag. Kia Ora-bred horses collectively won the Melbourne Cup seven times, giving the stud one of the strongest documented associations with Australia's best-known staying race. The property also stood a number of stallions that achieved champion status in Australia, among them Baguette, Gunsynd, Midstream and Delville Wood. Through these horses, the stud contributed to both race-day success and the development and circulation of significant Thoroughbred bloodlines. Ownership changed over time. Percy Miller and his family retained the stud until approximately 1959. The property later came under the ownership of George Ryder and John Clift, and it was sold again in 2000. The available references do not specify the complete ownership history after that transaction or identify the current proprietor. They do, however, document the continued use of the Kia Ora Stud name and its ongoing presence as a breeding property near Scone. The stud's later commercial record includes a notable result at the 2007 Inglis Easter sale, where a Redoute's Choice–Procrastinate yearling bred by Kia Ora sold for A$2 million. This transaction provides evidence that the stud's reputation remained commercially relevant in the modern Australian bloodstock market. Kia Ora Stud's identity is therefore built on a combination of historic land, breeding expertise, famous graduates, champion stallions and participation in elite Thoroughbred auctions. Its principal activities are breeding, raising and preparing racehorses and offering bloodstock through established sales channels.

• 2007

  Two-million-dollar Inglis Easter sale

  [1]Kia Ora Studen.wikipedia.org

  A Redoute's Choice–Procrastinate yearling bred by Kia Ora sold for A$2 million at the Inglis Easter sale.

• 2000

  Stud sold again

  [1]Kia Ora Studen.wikipedia.org

  After periods associated with George Ryder and John Clift, Kia Ora was sold again in 2000.

• 1959

  Miller family ownership ends approximately

  [1]Kia Ora Studen.wikipedia.org

  Percy Miller and his family ceased to own the stud at approximately this time.

• 1949

  Long-running sales record documented

  [1]Kia Ora Studen.wikipedia.org

  The stud's documented yearling consignments from 1917 to 1949 reached a cumulative total of 2,862.

• 1941

  Large yearling consignment

  [1]Kia Ora Studen.wikipedia.org

  The stud offered 105 yearlings at the Sydney Easter Sales.

• 1917

  First documented Sydney Easter Sales consignment

  [1]Kia Ora Studen.wikipedia.org

  Kia Ora offered two yearlings at the Sydney Easter Sales, beginning its documented commercial sales history.

• 1914

  Percy Miller acquires Kia-Ora

  [1]Kia Ora Studen.wikipedia.org

  Percy Miller purchased the Kia-Ora cattle property from Segenhoe Stud and began developing it as a Thoroughbred breeding operation.

A heritage Australian Thoroughbred stud positioned around elite bloodlines, racehorse production, stallion history and performance in the national bloodstock market.

• Equine breeding · 1914

  Thoroughbred breeding program

  Kia Ora Stud's core offering is the breeding and raising of Thoroughbred horses for racing and future breeding use. The stud's historical record includes commercially sold yearlings, successful racehorses and influential stallions. Its value proposition is based on bloodline quality, physical development, preparation and access to the Australian bloodstock market rather than on a standardized consumer product.

• Bloodstock sales · 1917

  Yearlings and young racehorses

  The stud has historically offered yearlings through major Australian auctions, particularly the Sydney Easter Sales and Inglis Easter. These animals are presented as racehorse prospects, with their commercial appeal shaped by pedigree, conformation, preparation and the reputation of the breeding operation. A notable modern example was a Redoute's Choice–Procrastinate yearling bred by Kia Ora that sold for A$2 million in 2007.

• Equine breeding

  Stallion services

  Kia Ora has historically stood stallions for Australian breeders, including the champion sires Baguette, Gunsynd, Midstream and Delville Wood. Stallion standing is an important part of a stud's breeding role because it allows outside mare owners to access selected bloodlines. The available references document the historical stallions but do not provide a current stallion roster.

1. 1Kia Ora Studen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Kia Ora Stud official websitekiaorastudscone.com.au