Mary Helen Pearce, the owner of Eldarin Park stud, which for many years has been one of Victoria’s most prominent breeding establishments, has decided to retire from commercial breeding.

She will maintain an interest in the sport by breeding from a couple of broodmares.

Mary Helen and her former husband Bill Pearce established Eldarin Park after buying a 320-acre property near Pyramid Hill, 80 kilometres north of Bendigo, in April 1989. Murray Sinclair, who joined Eldarin Park in 1991, has been of immense help and support to Mary Helen over the years.

The first stallion to stand there was the American horse Limited Partner.

In 1996, Eldarin Park stood six stallions at stud in Soky’s Atom, New York Motoring, Road Machine, Sands A Flyin, Frugal Gourmet and My Handsome Fella.

“Eldarin Park was one of the first Australian studs to transport semen to New Zealand,” Mary Helen said.

“In 1996, approximately 450 mares were served over in NZ. Soky’s Atom and New York Motoring served 150 mares each. Sands A Flyin served a heavily restricted book.”

Other stallions to stand at Eldarin Park have been Southern Gentleman, Nuke Of Earl, The Wrath Of Pan, Guaranteed and the trotters Keystone Crosby and Down Under Muscles (pictured).

The Victoria Oaks and Australian Pacing Gold winner Floreat, the top-flight juvenile My Handsome Fella, the Lightfoot Laurels winner Wrath Of Rosie and My Bella Donna all came out of Eldarin Park.

Mary Helen was also active on the administrative side, serving as secretary of the Victorian Standardbred Breeders and Studmasters’ Association for six years.

On the subject of Bendigo, award winning journalist and historian John Peck has penned a new book Bendigo and Environs Harness Racing Heritage. The 608-page profusely illustrated book traces the history of trotting in the Bendigo region from the 1850s right through until today.

There’s biographies of the best horses from the Bendigo district including Popular Alm, Royal Gaze, True Roman, Denver Gift, Wally Walton and Grand Voyage, decorated horsemen such as Brian Gath, Ron and Ken Pocock, Bruce Morgan, Keith Pratt and Ken Wills and leading officials in Sir Ackland Lord and Sir Gilbert Dyett.

Of special interest to breeders is the segment on the leading stud farms in the area, headed up by B J Lodge, Almond Meadows, Logan Park Stud and Myer’s Creek Stud.

To view Bendigo and Environs Harness Racing Heritage, log onto https://classicfamilies.net/ebooklist

Dean and Blanche Poole, of Rhiannon Park, Congupna, bred the convincing winner of the Goulburn Sapling Stakes in Go Without, a Stay Hungry colt.

Very Pretty, an American Ideal filly bred and part-owned by 2017 Victoria Breeder of the Year Peter Gleeson, took out the fastest heat of the NSW Oaks at Menangle.

Miss Disturbia, the winner of the SA Kindergarten Stakes at Globe Derby Park, was bred by Louise Toulmin and her daughter Alana. The Art Major filly is the first foal of the NZ bred Riri Rihanna.