Progressive Victorian thoroughbred enterprise Leneva Park is moving forward this spring with a new phase in their development following the arrival of proven stallion Lucas Cranach (Ger) and the acquisition of three quality mares to add to their burgeoning breeding program.
Formerly known as Rockmount, Leneva Park was purchased in early 2019 by Luke Vandersluys and his family, who were originally a farming family from Wodonga.
Luke saw the opportunity to provide a premium pre-training service in the heart of Victorian thoroughbred country and the potential to showcase the talents of his sister Sarah Beaumont, who competed to a national standard in Equestrian, taught extensively in Australia and overseas in equine schools and polo stables, and her partner Joel Walton, a former champion country apprentice in NSW.
Sarah and Joel head up the pre-training and agistment arm of the business which counts major stables Mick Price and Mick Kent Jr, Mike Moroney, Lindsey Smith, Nigel Blackiston and John Moloney as valued clients.
“It has been a fantastic 12 months and we’re so proud of what we are achieving and of the quality that the farm is producing, our clients are happy and are getting results on the track and that makes us happy. You get a real thrill watching a horse that we have pre-trained or prepared go and win a race, it’s a great feeling to play a role in that success,” said Sarah Beaumont.
“The farm is a real family affair, I’ve worked with horses for as long as I can remember and the same goes for Joel.
“Mum (Judy Vandersluys) and Luke both have an active role in the business too and I think that’s what sets us apart. We’ve got a great team here and we treat every horse on the property as if it was our own.”
Luke also recruited Jenny Saunders, a very well respected yearling and weanling manager, who worked previously as yearling manager at Eliza Park and Princess Park, to oversee the development of weanling and yearling sale preparation.
“Luke is very keen to make an impact selling quality drafts at the yearling and ready to run sales and bringing Jenny on board was a big part of that,” Beaumont revealed.
“We’ve been slowly adding some real quality broodmares to the farm and they will get every chance to produce the sort of foals that will take us to the major yearling sales.”
In July, Leneva Park purchased three young broodmares Ingrid (USA) (Gemologist), Shoepeg (Bernardini (USA) and Cashla Bay (Fastnet Rock) from the MM National Broodmare Sale to grow the quality of their broodmare band.
The trio are in foal to high profile sires Russian Revolution, Brazen Beau and American Pharoah, so there is much to look forward to this spring!
The decision to take on Lucas Cranach was prompted by the sale of nearby Bullarook Park and the retirement of stud master Malcolm Boyd, who had previously stood the Melbourne Cup placed Group II winner.
“I really believe that there is an opportunity for Lucas Cranach to service the breed to race market that wants a middle distance horse,” Beaumont pointed out.
“Not everyone can go to Europe and buy a good stayer, but they can breed one with Lucas. He was such a good racehorse himself and he has proven that he can leave good racehorses as well. I think he’s one of the best value stallions in Victoria to be honest, he’s such an athletic horse and he’s very fertile.
“Smart breeders like John Fiteni (Surprise Baby) and Linda Huddy have bred the right mares to the stallion and have had really good success. I don’t think that anyone who sends a mare to Lucas this year will be disappointed.”
Standing at a fee of just $5,500 inc GST, Lucas Cranach has proven to be a great source of winners including wide-margin metropolitan winners like Dark Alley, Get Stuck In, Advance Warning, Stealthy Lucas and Arty Lucas.
Levena Park will offer two key promotions for Lucas Cranach in 2020 as follows:
1/“Lucas Lotto”- Broodmare owners have the chance to access Lucas Cranach at 50% of his advertised service fee. Book a mare to Lucas Cranach, nominate whether you want a colt or a filly, and pay 50% of the advertised fee on 45-day PPT.
If the resultant foal is the preferred outcome, the balance is due on live foal, if the foal is not the outcome they were seeking, there’s no more to pay!
2/ Breed a Stayer- Healthy discounts are available for broodmares that are city performed at 1600m+ or that have previously visited Americain, Fiorente, Dandino or Puissance De Lune.
Mare bookings via Mick Sharkie mick@lenevapark.com.au or Mitch Brown mitch@lenevapark.com.au
