A new era has begun at renowned Victorian thoroughbred nursery Blue Gum Farm, which was acquired by Jason and Melanie Stenning in 2022. Since then, the couple have been laying the foundations for a successful future, and this season sees several key staffing appointments alongside the addition of two exciting first-season stallions to the roster.
"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. There certainly are bigger farms, but we will ensure that none are better when it comes to quality and commerciality," Jason Stenning said.
"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 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."
With that vision firmly in mind, Blue Gum Farm has appointed former Milburn Creek Assistant Manager Siobhan Smyth as Farm Operations Manager.
"Siobhan comes from one of the best farms in Australia and has spent many years under the tutelage of Scott Holcombe, who is widely acknowledged as one of the country's leading stud managers," Stenning said.
During her time at Milburn Creek, Smyth was involved in managing elite broodmares and preparing high-quality youngstock for Australia's premier yearling sales. Prior to that, she gained valuable experience at Rathasker Stud in Ireland, internationally renowned for producing elite breeze-up horses and commercial yearlings, as well as at Coolmore Ireland, one of the world's largest and most successful thoroughbred breeding operations, and Segenhoe Stud in Australia, an elite Hunter Valley nursery renowned for producing top-class racehorses and sale graduates.
Following an extensive recruitment process across Australia and internationally, Stenning said Smyth was the outstanding candidate.
"We undertook a comprehensive search, and Siobhan was the perfect fit. 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."
Joining Smyth is highly respected horsewoman Jane Hearn, who has been appointed Broodmare Manager.
"Jane is an exceptionally experienced and highly regarded horsewoman, and we believe she and Siobhan will complement one another perfectly. Together they bring outstanding knowledge and experience to our broodmare operation."
The appointments form part of a broader restructure designed to strengthen every aspect of the business, with respected bloodstock agent Suman Hedge appointed Director of Bloodstock.
"Suman has collaborated closely with us as a consultant over recent years and his contribution has been invaluable. 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."
Completing the senior management team is Colum McCullagh, who has been appointed Racing and Operations Manager.
Originally from Ireland, McCullagh began his career in the thoroughbred industry before graduating from the prestigious Irish National Stud Thoroughbred Breeding Management Course. After gaining experience at leading operations including Platinum Bloodstock, Darley's Kildangan Stud, Yeomanstown Stud, Moyglare Stud, Arrowfield Stud and with Group 1-winning trainer Matthew Smith, he spent more than six years as Racing & Bloodstock Manager for Peter Snowden at Royal Randwick.
Throughout his career, McCullagh has been involved in the selection, management and development of elite racehorses, stallion prospects and commercial bloodstock, bringing extensive experience across both the breeding and racing sectors. Since joining Blue Gum Farm in January 2025, he has played an integral role in the continued growth of the operation.
"Colum comes from an outstanding background, having developed his skills through some of the world's leading breeding and racing operations. His experience spans the entire thoroughbred industry—from stud farms and yearling selection through to managing elite racehorses and commercial bloodstock. We believe he's tailor-made for this expanded role and will play a pivotal part in the leadership and continued growth of Blue Gum Farm."
While significant investment has been made in people, the Stennings have been equally focused on building the farm's greatest asset—its broodmare band.
"A successful farm is built on three key pillars: the property itself, the people—our staff and clients—and the bloodstock. 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."
Among Blue Gum Farm's recent acquisitions 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).
According to Hedge, the quality of the farm's broodmare band will only continue to strengthen.
"Jason and Melanie have been unwavering in their commitment to assembling an elite group of mares. 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. 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."
Adding even more excitement to the upcoming breeding season is the arrival of two new stallions—Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes winner Libertad and Group 3 winner and Golden Slipper runner-up Coleman.
"Blue Gum Farm has such a rich history of standing elite, breed-shaping stallions, including Encosta De Lago and Rubiton," Stenning noted. "It is important to us that we continue that proud tradition, and we believe Libertad and Coleman provide breeders with two exceptional value stallions offering very different physical profiles, while both are outstanding physical specimens."
"Libertad boasts an exceptional CV—an unbeaten Group-winning two-year-old and a Group winner at two, three, four and five years of age, a remarkable achievement matched in recent decades only by the great Lonhro. Coleman, meanwhile, is the embodiment of speed and precocity: a beautifully athletic horse with the natural speed and quality to sire early-running juveniles."
Dual Group-winning sprinter Oxley Road, a full brother to Exceedance who has made such an encouraging start to his stud career, joins proven sire Flying Artie to complete a roster tailored to suit all breeders.
"We are delighted not only to be standing three promising young stallions," Nominations & Sales Manager Phil Marshall said, "but also to be benefiting from the continued success of Flying Artie. He has sired 12 stakes performers globally this season, including Group 1 winner My Wish in Hong Kong, which is enormously significant commercially for both the stallion and the farm."
As Blue Gum Farm embarks on an exciting new chapter, Jason and Melanie Stenning remain committed to building one of Australia's premier thoroughbred breeding operations.
Through continual investment and an unwavering commitment to improvement, the Stennings are raising the benchmark for quality, innovation and service within the Victorian breeding industry.
Supported by an elite team, they are inviting breeders to become part of Blue Gum Farm's future.
"Building something this special takes a village," Stenning said. "We would love to see our beautiful paddocks filled with even more quality mares owned by Victorian breeders. The future is incredibly bright, and we cannot wait to share that journey with our valued clients."
Blue Gum Farm is now accepting applications for resident broodmares.
Please contact any member of the team below to discuss your breeding requirements or to arrange a visit to the farm.
Siobhan Smyth 0422 013 665 siobhan@bluegumfarm.com.au
Jane Hearn 0407 066 933 jane@bluegumfarm.com.au
Phil Marshall 0407 853 782 phil@bluegumfarm.com.au
Danielle Murray 03 5795 3331 danielle@bluegumfarm.com.au
Jason Stenning 0418 658 484 jason@bluegumfarm.com.au
Suman Hedge 0400 834 466 suman@bluegumfarm.com.au
Colum McCullagh 0497 214 886 colum@bluegumfarm.com.au
