The Cunningham family will sell their Hunter Valley stud Ridgmont Farm as part restructure of their thoroughbred interests, promising to remain as committed as ever to racing and breeding horses.
Ridgmont Farm’s 15 staff members were informed on Tuesday of the Cunninghams’ difficult decision to change direction, with the move set to come into effect by the end of the year
Ridgmont Farm is owned by Mitch Cunningham while his extended family’s racing interests include the Bjorn Baker-trained Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap and Doncaster-winning mare Stefi Magnetica and the now retired 2024 Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Storm Boy, the imposing son of Justify who is in his first season at stud on the Coolmore stallion roster.
The family's racing division also features the stakes-placed mare Arriving Home and Irish Group 3-placed And So To Bed, a Kodiac filly trained by Joseph O'Brien.
The Cunninghams’ broodmares, foals and yearlings will be moved to nearby Newgate Farm, which is also set to consign the Ridgmont-owned yearlings as agent from the Magic Millions sale on the Gold Coast in January onwards, while Yarraman Park will also take on some of their stock.
“It’s been an incredibly difficult decision. Building Ridgmont Farm has been our family’s proudest collective project. But over the past few years, our breeding and racing programs have grown substantially, and we’ve decided to change direction,” Mitch Cunningham told The Straight.
“We’re still completely committed to the industry. We’re not dispersing any stock. In fact, we intend to expand our brand presence and invest even more aggressively in breeding and racing.
“We’ve spent years developing Ridgmont into the world-class property it is today, and now it’s ready for the next custodians to take it forward.”
Last Saturday’s Gimcrack Stakes placegetter Masvingo, a $580,000 Zoustar filly, also carries the navy, gold sash, sleeves and cap colours of Ridgmont and Cunningham believes the strategic realignment will provide them with greater flexibility,
“Ridgmont will continue building towards having one of the leading broodmare bands in Australia, and we’ll keep an international focus as part of that,” he said.
“Our racing arm has been a real highlight, and we’re looking to build on that momentum including expanding the Ridgmont Fillies Partnership over the next few years.”
Donovan & Co will manage the sale process of Ridgmont Farm, which is in the sought after region close to Darley, Newgate, Segenhoe Stud, Arrowfield and Vinery, on behalf of the Cunninghams.
"Having planted feet on the amalgamated Ridgmont holding recently with Mitch, looking down on the mighty Hunter River from an elevated vantage point, I was in awe of the perfect balance, quality of country and thoughtfully considered design of the high-end A1 infrastructure the farm boasts,” agent Clint Donovan said.
“Just about every square metre of Ridgmont is well utilised and complimentary to producing the horses the Hunter Valley is famous for.
"The offering of Ridgmont to the market presents an unparalleled scenario of an 'as new', ultimate turn-key breeding farm in the prestigious Segenhoe Valley, within the 'Golden Triangle' of some of Australia's most revered farms."
Donovan says “every box is ticked” with Ridgmont possessing excellent carrying capacity, water, land and exemplary improvements.
“When it comes to location, from an Australian stud farm production perspective, Ridgmont is like having a foothold in Point Piper or Mayfair,” he said.
“The chance to secure a rarely available, completely turn-key farm, has been formally presented and we welcome all enquiries with the assurance of complete confidentiality."
Ridgmont’s resident veterinarian Chris Phillips had also acted as Ridgmont’s general manager while Mitch’s younger brother Xavier, who spent time with Waikato Stud in New Zealand as well as with trainer Annabel Archibald at her Eagle Farm stables, had been stud manager.
Cunningham has vowed to assist Ridgmont staff in finding new employment.
“Ridgmont’s staff are some of the most capable and passionate people in the industry, and without exception they’ve helped make the farm what it is today. We have around 15 full-time team members led by Dr Chris Phillips, and we’ve been open and transparent with them about this decision,” he said.
“Our absolute priority is to look after them and help them transition smoothly. Given their calibre, I’ve got no doubt they’ll be highly sought after, but we’re doing everything we can personally to make sure everyone lands in the right role.
“My biggest regret in all of this is not seeing Chris continue to execute our vision here at Ridgmont. He’s the most capable and forward-thinking person I’ve ever worked with.”
The Cunninghams and fellow Queenslanders Andrew Dunemann and Neil Douglas teamed up to buy what was Glastonbury Farm from Duncan and Di Grimley and Yvonne and Mark Clerke in a deal which was completed in 2021.
The home block comprising 101 hectares was purchased by the trio in 2020 before they bought a neighbouring parcel of land, taking their holding to more than 200 hectares.
They changed the name of Glastonbury to Ridgmont Farm and operated it in partnership until Mitch Cunningham and his family bought out Dunemann and Douglas in 2023.
Cunningham, along with his wife Stephanie and their four children, relocated to the Hunter Valley from Brisbane and have resided on Ridgmont Farm for the past two years.
“The Hunter has been such a big part of our story, but being closer to our support network in Brisbane just makes sense at this stage,” the former commercial airline pilot said.
“It lets us keep pushing ahead in the industry while being surrounded by family, which is the foundation for everything we do.
“We’re incredibly proud of what Ridgmont has become. It’s a farm built with purpose and care. Selling it is simply the next step in how we continue to grow and contribute to the industry we love.”
