From Paddock to Podium – Bowness Stud’s Winning Agistment Formula

Originally founded by John and Helen North at Murringo, from humble beginnings at the picturesque hill country property, Bowness Stud has forged a reputation for raising strong, durable, and high-performing thoroughbreds.

While the original Murringo farm is now under new ownership, it remains a significant part of our history and the foundation on which Bowness Stud was built.

Now in the more than capable hands of James and Joss Daly, Bowness Stud’s operation continues at Watershed Farm, a stunning 3,000-acre property located near Young, NSW.

Characterised by its clean, undulating hills and biologically fertilised soils, creating the ideal environment for mineral-rich, balanced pastures, Watershed Farm’s ethos of focusing on soil health and fertility to support annual and perennial pasture growth, delivers consistent, premium nutrition to all horses in our care

Set in the hilltops area on the south-west slopes of NSW, Bowness Stud is strategically placed between the two major thoroughbred breeding centres of in both New South Wales and Victoria, where we offer full mare walk-on breeding services to all major studs in both regions, as well as agistment for racehorse spellers, weanlings, yearlings and broodmares.

Spelling paddocks at Watershed Farm are approximately 25 acres in size, allowing horses the space and freedom to run and roam, develop strength, and maintain both physical and mental well-being during their time off.

The size and structure of our paddocks are designed to support bone density, muscle development, and overall soundness particularly beneficial for recovering horses or for the development of yearlings, with the likes of Group 1 winners Trapeze Artist, Youngstar, Funstar and Media Award all raised on the farm.

In addition to top-quality pasture, Watershed Farm utilise an on-farm feed mixer to create tailored, mineral-dense blends using feed primarily grown on the property. This level of control ensures that each horse receives the optimum nutrition required for recovery, growth and maintenance.

Horses that spell on the property consistently return to racing in peak health and condition, and long-term spelling on the property has proven particularly successful.

Watershed is conveniently located just four hours from Sydney, making it an easy and efficient drive for transport companies. The accessibility, combined with the high standard of care, and agistment rates are more cost effective than many of the larger farms in the Hunter Valley, making Bowness Stud at Watershed an ideal choice for spelling and agistment throughout the season.

Standing So You Think’s Group 1 Rosehill Guineas-winning son D’Argento, who will commence covering his sixth book of mares in the coming weeks. If you’re planning on sending a mare to him, then agisting your mare at the farm makes perfect sense.

Having a breakout season with 25 individual winners, D’Argento was represented by four of his overall six stakes performers in the 2024/2025 season highlighted by his Listed-winning, Group 1 placed son Statuario, who has already returned to the stable of his trainers ahead of what looks to be an exciting spring for the 4yo.

To discuss our agistment rates, talk about sending a mare to D’Argento, or to even discuss how Bowness Stud can assist your breeding plans for the season ahead, contact the office via office@bownessstud.com.au or call James Daly on 0428 821 390.