Two big Hunter Valley farms combine.
Renowned Hunter Valley breeding operations Vinery and Kia Ora studs have joined forces to form one of the largest operations in Australia.
The neighbouring farms, which are separated by the Pages River, will consolidate their land and operations, which will see them take in more than 5500 acres of land as a joint entity.
The merger will not result in any immediate significant branding changes with both Vinery and Kia Ora to retain their existing bloodstock, with the specifics around the ownership structure still to be formalised.
Kia Ora is owned by Ananda Krishnan, who joins Steve McCann, Gerry Harvey, Neil Werrett, Alan Green, David Paradice and Greg Perry as the major partners in Vinery's operation.
McCann has been installed as the chairman at Kia Ora.
Both Vinery and Kia Ora possess powerful broodmare bands, while Vinery is home to seven stallions – Ole Kirk, Exceedance, All Too Hard, Star Turn, Press Statement, Casino Prince and Headwater – while Kia Ora stands Golden Slipper winner Farnan, Prague and Captivant.
Kia Ora was one of the major players at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale earlier this month, buying 10 yearlings with a variety of partners.
Among them was the Snitzel-Ichihara half-brother to Empire Of Japan, whom they bought for $1.8 million in partnership with Tony Fung Investments.
Kia Ora and TFI also paid $1.1 million for the filly by Exceed And Excel out of Sweet Sherry.
