After a quarter of a century playing a pivotal role in developing Vinery into one of Australia’s pre-eminent studs, general manager Peter Orton will leave the business in the coming months.
The decision is not totally unexpected as Orton has been considering his future at the helm of Vinery for some time, particularly since the late Ananda Krishnan acquired an almost 50 per cent stake in the farm in early 2023.
Orton, who has managed Vinery since it was established in 2000, has overseen the stallion careers of champion shuttler More Than Ready, Red Ransom, Mossman, Testa Rossa and current sires All Too Hard, Exceedance and Ole Kirk during his Vinery tenure.
Vinery confirmed Orton’s decision on Tuesday evening, revealing that its general manager was stepping away from the role to focus on running his own Hunter Valley farm located between Newgate and Godolphin while managing his personal thoroughbred interests.
“Now that the sale of Vinery Stud has been finalised it is an appropriate time to take the opportunity to step away and focus on my own thoroughbred farm and bloodstock portfolio,” said Orton, who will leave Vinery before the start of the 2025 breeding season.
“This is something that I am very keen to do. However, it was most important that I leave at a time when the Vinery Stud operation is in a great place, with exciting young stallions coming through and a robust client base with strong broodmare portfolios to ensure the continued success and growth of the business.
“The most important next step is to ensure that there is an appropriate handover to new management and to ensure that all Vinery clients, staff and bloodstock are well looked after.”
Changes began at Vinery when Krishnan, whose estate also owns rival Hunter Valley farm Kia Ora Stud, the home of 2020 Golden Slipper winner and promising first-season sire Farnan, bought into Vinery.
Harvey Norman founder and Magic Millions owner Gerry Harvey also increased his equity in Vinery when long-time shareholders Neil Werrett, Greg Perry and David Paradice made it known in 2022 that they wanted to exit the business.
More recently, the share in Vinery owned by the late Alan Green, the founder of surfwear brand Quiksilver who died in January, was also bought by Harvey and his wife Katie Page.
Steve McCann, currently the CEO of struggling casino group The Star, is also a shareholder in Vinery and he paid tribute to Orton’s long contribution to the success of the thoroughbred nursery.
“Peter has for many years been one of the most respected thoroughbred experts in the country and has made a tremendous contribution to both Vinery and the broader industry,” McCann said.
“I would like to thank Peter personally and on behalf of all of our clients and current and past shareholders.”
Katie Page expressed her gratitude for Peter’s many years of service.
“Over his 25 years leading Vinery, Gerry and I have been the beneficiaries of Peter Orton’s peerless expertise, wise counsel and vision – both personally and professionally,” she said.
“Peter, to say we are so grateful to you and to Adele is such an understatement. Our great friendship and mutual respect continue beyond the farm and we look forward to seeing you in January.”
Orton, who also resigned as a board member of NSW Thoroughbred Breeders, added: “I would like to thank all the staff, clients and the previous Vinery partnership that owned the stud farm for the previous 19 years, and prior to that Dr Thomas Simon, who I worked with to establish the business in Australia back in 2000.”
Ole Kirk, the dual Group 1 winner out of an unraced sister to champion mare Black Caviar, is the leading first season sire and shapes as the future of the Vinery stallion roster with his fee increased to $99,000 (inc GST) this year.
Star Turn, Exceedance, All Too Hard, Headwater and Hawaii Five Oh, who will enter his second season at stud later this year, are also on Vinery’s 2025 stallion roster.
A replacement for Orton as Vinery general manager has not been announced.
