Established in 1955 by Geoff and Peg Chitty, Haunui Farm has become one of New Zealand’s leading thoroughbred nurseries. Like many breeders starting out in the thoroughbred world, Geoff and Peg began with only a handful of mares – one of which was Foxona (NZ) (Foxbridge), descendants of this mare are still being bred at Haunui today.
Geoff Chitty was a buyer of yearlings but he also bred and raced a number of top class racehorses on his own and in partnership with his son Ron. Horses like New Zealand Derby and Great Northern Oaks-winner Rosie’s Girl and top class juvenile Brookby Hill.
In 1975, Ron Chitty took up the reins at Haunui Farm and today, a third generation Chitty is at the helm, Mark.
2011 has been a landmark year in the history of Haunui with the development of a new, state-of-the-art facility at Karaka which is now home. Planned and developed by Ron and Carolyn Chitty, every attention to detail has been undertaken with the farm's functionality and, animal welfare and management of upmost importance.
Stallions have been a large part of Haunui Farm’s history and the first stallion arrived at Haunui in 1973. Since that time, Haunui Farm have introduced a number of successful stallions to New Zealand including; Sea Anchor (Ire) (Alcide), Crested Wave (USA) (Crozier), Tights (USA) (Nijinksy), McGinty (NZ) (One Pound Sterling) and in more recent times, Haunui has been involved with stallions such as Last Tycoon (Ire) (Try My Best), Soviet Star (USA) (Nureyev), Marju (Ire) (Last Tycoon), Carnegie (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) and Almutawakel (GB) (Machiavellian).
In 2011, Haunui Farm stands three stallions - Champion First Season Sire of Europe in 2010, Iffraaj (GB) (Zafonic), Europe's most successful first season sire in history with a record 38 two-year-old winners, - resident sire Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) who stands at Haunui on behalf of his owner Mr Eduardo Cojuangco of Gooree Park Stud and who left five stakes winners in the 2010/2011 racing season including dual Group One-winner Booming (NZ) - and Showcasing (GB) (Oasis Dream), a Group One performer and the fastest ever winner of the Group Two Gimcrack Stakes, Showcasing is new to Haunui Farm in 2011.
More information about the Haunui Stallions can be seen by visiting the Stallions page of our website.
