Blue Gum revamps management team in major restructure 

Victoria’s Blue Gum Farm has undergone a significant management overhaul, with owners Jason and Mel Stenning bringing in three key personnel and promoting another to run the large-scale breeding operation.

Former Milburn Creek assistant manager Siobhan Smyth has been appointed as Blue Gum’s farm operations manager and Jane Hearn has been secured as broodmare manager.

Well-known bloodstock agent Suman Hedge has been employed as Blue Gum’s director of bloodstock while Colum McCullagh has a new title as racing and operations manager.

McCullagh joined Blue Gum Farm and the Stennings racing entity Trilogy as its racing and bloodstock manager early last year.

Phil Marshall remains at Blue Gum as nominations and sales manager.

Sean and Cathy Dingwall, who have been beside the Stennings since the entrepreneurial couple launched Trilogy Racing in 2021 and bought Blue Gum Farm about a year later, have left the business after playing a key role in the business’ development.

They will continue running their family thoroughbred business Caithness Breeding elsewhere in Victoria.

Jason Stenning admitted entering the racing and breeding industry on such a large scale over the past five years had proven a steep learning curve.

“We have been working diligently behind the scenes, earning our stripes, and 2026 marks the beginning of a significant transformation as Blue Gum Farm positions itself to become the benchmark for premium thoroughbreds in Victoria,” Stenning said. 

“There certainly are bigger farms, but we will ensure that none are better when it comes to quality and commerciality.

“It’s fair to say Melanie and I came into this commitment with a lot of dedication, passion and enthusiasm, but we were quite green. 

“Our time in the industry has been incredibly rewarding, and we have learned a great deal by being involved in every facet of the operation, including breeding, farming and racing.

“It certainly helps when you have some of the industry’s best as friends and mentors, including (Newgate Farm’s) Henry Field, Suman Hedge and Colum McCullagh. 

“Their guidance has helped us develop a clear understanding of what is required to build an elite operation.”

Before accepting the role at Blue Gum, Smyth managed elite broodmares and prepared quality young horses for Australia’s premier yearling sales during her time at Milburn Creek. 

Earlier, she gained experience at Ireland’s Rathasker Stud, renowned for producing elite breeze-up horses and commercial yearlings, as well as at Coolmore and Segenhoe Stud.

“We undertook a comprehensive search, and Siobhan was the perfect fit,” Stenning said.

“She has an outstanding résumé, is exceptionally detail-oriented, highly process-driven and possesses an exceptional understanding of thoroughbred breeding and farm management. We’re thrilled to have her leading the farm into the future.”

Hedge has been an advisor for the past two-and-a-half years, appearing on sales dockets alongside Trilogy Racing since early 2024, with his new role solidifying his and the Stennings’ relationship.

“Suman has collaborated closely with us as a consultant over recent years and his contribution has been invaluable,” Stenning said.

“He is one of Australia’s leading bloodstock authorities and brings decades of experience working with many of the country’s premier farms. 

“Everyone in the industry is well aware of Suman’s outstanding achievements at both ends of the market. 

“His ability to identify elite youngstock – from weanlings through to yearlings – as well as outstanding colts with stallion potential and exceptional broodmare prospects, is second to none. 

“Securing someone of his calibre was a major priority for us, and I was determined to convince him to join Blue Gum Farm in an official capacity with a long-term commitment.

“We’re absolutely delighted to have Suman leading this critical area of the business and are excited about what the future holds.”

Among Blue Gum Farm’s recent broodmare additions are the I Am Invincible mares La Mexicana (Group 3 winner purchased for $920,000 in foal to Too Darn Hot) and California Gallant (a sister to Houtzen secured for $475,000 in foal to Switzerland).

“Recent purchases complement recently retired mares raced by the Stennings, including Group 3 winners Queen Of Dragons and Paradise City, together with stakes performers Our Queen and Sunset Dreaming, adding further depth and quality to the band,” Hedge said. 

“It’s wonderful to see those mares come home to Blue Gum Farm to complete the circle and begin their careers as broodmares in such a beautiful environment. 

“It provides an outstanding foundation on which to continue building.”

The Stennings, who founded personal protective equipment company Industree, burst onto the scene at the Inglis Ready to Race Sale in 2021, buying five two-year-olds to go from relative anonymity to large industry investors in quick time.

“It provides an outstanding foundation on which to continue building.” – Jason Stenning

Trilogy joined forces with the China Horse Club-Newgate Farm colts partnership while they have also spent millions either outright or in partnership with agents and trainers on more than 200 weanlings, yearlings, two-year-olds and broodmares.

The Stennings subsequently made an industry-committing statement in 2022, acquiring the Euroa-based stud Blue Gum Farm from Philip and Patti Campbell in partnership with the Dingwalls. 

A long-time leading vendor at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, the new partners expanded Blue Gum’s presence by consigning yearlings across Australia’s east coast, with a presence at the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast.

While the Campbells were exiting the stallion business when the Stennings’ offer was produced and accepted, under new management Blue Gum embarked on reimagining a roster of sires.

Blue Gum is standing first season sires Coleman and Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes-winning sprinter Libertad this year alongside Oxley Road. Its foundation stallion Sejardan died unexpectedly last November.

Trilogy Racing had shares in both Libertad, a son of Russian Revolution, and Pierata’s Golden Slipper-placed Coleman during their racing careers.

“A successful farm is built on three key pillars: the property itself, the people, our staff and clients, and the bloodstock,” Stenning said.

“We’ve worked tirelessly alongside Suman and Colum identifying quality mares that will elevate our breeding program, and we’re delighted with the progress we’ve made.”