Timeline
- 1938HOME SWEET HOME
- 1941A QUIET START
- 1946PRICELESS
- 1948THE POCKET ROCKET
- 1957MELBOURNE CUP STRAIGHT & TRUE
- 1960A NOBLE BEAST
- 1966A BLAZE OF GLORY
- 1968HOT STUFF
- 1974SALE OF THE CENTURY
- 1980'sMODERN FAMILIES
- 1987GOODBYE TO ALL THAT
- 1990'sTHE ROLL CONTINUES
- 1996LA - A NEW PATHWAY
- 2005SAM & CATRIONA
- 2011PER INCANTO MAKES MAGIC
- 2016PIN UP PALACE
- 2018TIME TEST
- 2020FABULOUS FOALS
- 2021/2022ROCH 'N' HORSE
- 2023LITTLE BROSE & BELCLARE
- 202485 & STILL YEARLING IT
HOME SWEET HOME
In one of the society weddings of 1938, Mr Alister Williams of Masterton married Miss Nancy Teschemaker of Blenheim and immediately afterwards brought his young wife north to the family property, Te Parae. Nancy was accompanied on the honeymoon journey by both her farm dogs and her horses. One mare she had been given by Henry Redwood, a founding father of New Zealand racing, while for the other she had outlaid the princely sum of 5 pounds.Te Parae;
(noun) level or undulating open country. He tino whakaahua ātaahua ki a rātou ngā maunga, ngā pukepuke, ngā ngahere, ngā kapua, ngā pārae e hipokina nei e ngā tarutaru matomato. To them the mountains, hills, forests, clouds and the undulating country covered in lush grass is a beautiful picture.
PRICELESS
As the cattle and sheep of Te Parae began sharing their 1200 acres with an increasing number of horses, the fiercely determined Nancy ignored advice and purchased the attractive but averagely performed import Sunbride. Sunbride went on to found a dynasty which included the 1957 Melbourne Cup winner Straight Draw, the multiple Group 1 Sydney Cup winner General Command, the Caulfield Cup winner Ilumquh and the outstanding galloper Terrific. Her legacy lives on to this day.I said to my wife, this mare Sunbride has not been much good. I think you should sell her.” My wife replied “I refuse to entertain any thought of selling Sunbride. When I go broke and I am evicted from Te Parae, Sunbride and I will walk down the road together." "The foal Sunbride was carrying was the 1957 Melbourne Cup winner Straight Draw and it is to my wife’s everlasting credit that she never once said to me 'I told you so.
SUNBRIDE (Bay 1942)
TAI-YANG (GB)
Ch 1930Solario
B 1922Gainsborough
B 1915Bayardo Bay Ronald Galicia Rosedrop St Frusquin Rosaline Sun Worship
B 1912Sunridge Amphion Sierra Doctrine Ayrshire Axiom Soubriquet
Ch 1919Lemberg
B 1907Cyllene Bona Vista Arcadia Galicia Galopin Isoletta Silver Fowl
Ch 1904Wildfowler Gallinule Tragedy L'Argent Jacobite Aura GRACEFUL BRIDE (FR)
Ch 1936Golden Grace
B 1927Blandford
B 1919Swynford John o' Gaunt Canterbury Pilgrim Blanche White Eagle Black Cherry Grace Mary
B 1917Zria Cyllene Perce-Neige Pommard Acclaim Beaune May Bride
B/Br 1929Dark Legend
B/Br 1914Dark Ronald Bay Ronald Darkie Golden Legend Amphion St Lucre Wedding Chime
B 1913Matchmaker Donovan Match Girl Best Belle Best Man Warden Belle (16) The Pocket Rocket
With Alister and Nancy united in their desire to boost Te Parae as a thoroughbred breeding base, in 1948 they took a giant step and imported the small but perfectly formed stallion Sabaean(by Blue Peter) at a cost of 9 thousand guineas. Sabaean, barely 15hh, proved a powerhouse. The sire of Ilumquh, Yeman and Saboteur, he also produced Impeccable - Broodmare of the Year and the dam of outstanding filly Lowland.A tremendous mare with a tremendous will to win
He was a proud animal of lovely quality who … with his finely chiselled head looked the perfect specimen of selective thoroughbred breeding.
MELBOURNE CUP STRAIGHT & TRUE
Te Parae's fiercely determined Straight Draw (Faux Tirage - Sunbride) was a peerless stayer. As well as his 1957 victory in Australasia’s greatest race, the Melbourne Cup, the gelding won every year from two until five and blitzed all comers in a final season which included victories in both the Flemington classic and the 1958 Sydney Cup. After a leg injury prevented a return to racing, his owner rejected an offer for "Tom" to become a police horse in New South Wales. Instead the old fellow retired to Te Parae where he hogged the limelight at the annual yearling parade until he died in 1988, aged 35.
To date, Williams-bred runners have finished first (Straight Draw)second (Ilumquh) third (llumquh) and fourth (General Command) in Melbourne Cups.Ilumquh 9 wins from 1207 to 2413m. 1st VATC Caulfield Cup Gr.1, Manawatu Awapuni Gold Cup Gr.2, Melbourne RC Williamstown Cup Gr.2, WRC Summer H. Gr.3, 2nd VRC Melbourne Cup Gr.1, 3rd Wellington Cup Gr.1, VRC Melbourne Cup Gr.1
General Command 13 wins from 1609 - 3218m. 1st AJC Sydney Cup Gr.1, AJC Queen Elizabeth S. Gr.1, AJC Metropolitan H. Gr.1, AJC Chipping Norton S. Gr.2, AJC Autumn S. Gr.2, VATC Sandown Cup Gr.2, VRC Queen Elizabeth S. Gr.2, VRC CB Fisher Plate L, 2nd VATC St George S. Gr.2, VRC Hotham H. Gr.2, Waikato Foxbridge P. L, 3rd VRC Turnbull S. Gr.2, WRC Harcourt Gr.3, VATC Herbert Power H. Gr.3, STC Sydney Turf Club Gr.3, 4th VRC Melbourne Cup Gr.1
Straight Draw 12 wins from 1032 to 3218m 1st VRC Melbourne Cup Gr.1, AJC Metropolitan H Gr.1, AJC Sydney Cup Gr.1, AJC Autumn S Gr.2, 2nd STC Rosehill Cup L, 3rd AJC Anniversary H LA NOBLE BEAST
The stallion lineup grew again with the syndicated purchase of Agricola (by Precipitation) for $100,000 all up. The dark chestnut made an immediate impact through strong colts General Command and Roman Consul and mighty filly Lowland. Having produced a string of big name winners, Agricola was sold on to Australia and lived out his days at Newhaven Park. When the Williams family visited Agricola across the Tasman, he recognised Richie (Buzz) calling to him in Maori, as had his Te Parae groom, Mark Rimene. Susie Williams cried as Agricola came running out of his box to see his old friend.AN HONEST TOILER
Ilumquh powered home to win the Caulfield Cup of 1960 and only just missed racing’s big double with an outstanding third in the centennial Melbourne Cup that same year. Honest as the day was long, he also placed second in the 1963 running. Nancy Williams loved the dark brown gelding she both bred and owned and would get up before dawn to watch him workout before big races, accompanied by her dapper trainer Eric Ropiha. With a name which confused race callers, Ilumquh lived out his days at Te Parae and is buried there.A BLAZE OF GLORY
The top class English galloper Oncidium arrived at Te Parae after a long voyage by ship and then quarantine, so quiet that despite a $120,000 price tag, he was described as behaving like ‘an old sheep.’ His stud career dazzled Australasia, topping the Australian and New Zealand stallion list three times, siring a legendary lineup including Leilani (Caulfield Cup), Taras Bulba (AJC Derby), Dayana (VRC Derby), Gold Brick (AJC Derby), Young Ida (NZ Oaks), Sanderae (VRC Oaks), Grand Cidium (Caulfield Guineas)and Oncidon (Metropolitan Handicap). In 1973, an offer of $1.5 million was turned down. Then one stormy night in 1975 and with just six crops racing, Oncidium fell ill and despite being rushed to emergency surgery, he died in the prime of life, taken too soon by a previously undetected tumour.RUNNERS WINNERS SW PRIZE MONEY SABEAN 290 212 33 UNKNOWN AGRICOLA 378 272 33 A$350,000+ ONCIDIUM 292 196 33 A$135,000+ IMPERIALIST 120 67 5 A$430,000+ IMPERIAL MARCH 191 103 7 A$2 MIL+ HOT STUFF
By the time of Alister Williams’ death in 1971, the mantle had passed to the next generation at Te Parae.
With Buzz and Susie having married in 1967 and Tom and Gay a year later, Willliams Brothers Inc. were red hot. At the 1968 sales, Agricola topped the charts - his Nell filly made $22,000 and the Minaea colt $37,000
SALE OF THE CENTURY
It was a magic moment for Te Parae at Trentham’s National Yearling Sales when the handsome Oncidium colt from Sunbride’s daughter Bridesmaid made history and burst through the six figure mark. This was the very first yearling in Australasia to make $100,000. Sold to master horseman TJ Smith. The chestnut went on to become the stakes winning Gold Pulse. Later that same sale Wairarapa cheered again, this time for Lorraine Jamieson’s Oncidium colt from Chantal, who joined the Williams at the top of the vendors table.The colt will be raced by a syndicate of Australian businessman but Mr Hayes declined to name them… "til they’d told their wives
YES MA’AM
Princess Anne’s visit to Te Parae in 1974 brought the locals out in force as Kiwi kids cheered the Royal entourage and a flock of sheep managed to block the road to neighbouring station Brancepeth. With HRH an expert equestrienne in her own right, Anne had been keen to photograph Oncidium and his offspring and was furious when her royal helicopter landed in the wrong paddock, frightening dozens of mares and foals. Under sunny skies, Princess Anne chatted happily to Te Parae staff and families chosen to lead the horses on the famous lawn.BART’S LEGACY
We’ll never forget Bart Cummings - and neither will you. Lowland, Dayana, Leilani, Laelia, Sanderae, Bottled Sunshine, Roman Emperor …. Te Parae, Little Avondale and the Williams family will always honour our longtime Aussie mate.You don't get many like her
The place where I got to know him the best was in New Zealand, the yearly sojourn to find the best horses for the seasons to come. I was there with him on one of these trips when we saw Leilani for the first time. We’d been to Te Parae Stud. The Williams boys there mentioned to Dad about an Oncidium filly that was just around the corner. The horse was in a paddock and came charging down, as sure footed an animal as you’d ever see.
THE ROLL CONTINUES
Continuing the momentum, throughout the 1990s, Team Williams continued their roll, with the winners continuing to flow both from Te Parae and Buzz and Susie’s Masterton base, Little Avondale.Sound Lover: Wilkinson Insurance Brokers Mile Group 3
Dress Circle: AJC Metropolitan Group 1
Sixty Seconds: STC Arrowfield Group 1
Troubles: SAJC Yallambee H G3
Superfit HK: RHKJC Group 1 Hong Kong Derby
Unspoken Word: VRC Gadsden Group 1
Just to name a fewLOVER’S LEGACY
Sound Lover, a descendant of one of Te Parae’s founding families, deserves her own place in our history. With all her progeny to race being winners, "Lover" can take credit for 11 to the track for 11 winners and responsibility for a total of 53 wins to date. They include G2 winner, Philosophe purchased by Johnathan Munz for $470,000, Men At Work, a stakes winner and G1 placed and Magnum, currently 4 starts for 2 wins, 2 seconds, trained by Michael Freedman. Everyone loves a lover!LITTLE AVONDALE, A NEW PATHWAY
Alister and Nancy had initially established a town base at the former dairy farm Little Avondale on the outskirts of Masterton. Their sons continued to run Te Parae in partnership until 1994, with Tom concentrating on the sheep, beef and deer and Buzz taking responsibility for the horses. Although the family ties would never be broken, a decision was made to separate the business units. Sam came home in 1993 to help Buzz develop Little Avondale. Buzz, Susie, Sam, Anna and George moved with the bulk of the horses to the town site, with the property boosted to 250 immaculately manicured acres of paddocking, breeding sheds, stables and purpose built facilities.SAM AND CATRIONA BIG ON WINNING
In 2005, a third generation of Williams took on the mantle of breeding to win as Sam and Catriona - herself Wairarapa born and bred and with horses in the blood - picked up the reins from Buzz and Susie. Says Sam, who began his career cleaning the Te Parae stables for cheap labour at $5 a day, "Big on Winning" might be a new brand but my grandparents' commitment to quality will never change. This is a family business and our clients are friends. We are all the better for it."PER INCANTO MAKES MAGIC
A wand was clearly waving over the 2011 arrival of Per Incanto at Little Avondale – he got off to an enchanted start with his first runner winning at her very first start and there’s been no let up for this stunning son of Street Cry. The winners continued at two and three, in top class company and with the dash of brilliance which shows that 85 years on, Williams magic is still at work. No ordinary family, and an extraordinary legacy.- Leading First Season Sire & Leading 2YO Sire 2014/15 number of winners
- Sire of 2015 Sydney Classic Sale Topper A$300k
- Leading Second Season Sire 2015/16
- Sire of seven Group 1 Winners
- Dal Cielo Gr.1 ARC Diamond Stakes ǀ Shadows Cast Gr.1 Thorndon Mile ǀ Santa Monica Gr.1 Sistema Railway Hcp ǀ Bonham Gr.1
- Levin Classic ǀ Roch ‘N Horse VRC Gr.1 Newmarket Hcp & 2022 VRC Gr.1 Darley Sprint ǀ Little Brose MRC Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes - Santa Monica sold 2020 Magic Millions A$600,000 for breeders and owners,
- Stuart and Cherie Hope (photo attached)
- 16 stakes winners 2020-21 season
- 2020-21 NZ's leading stallion on the Australian Premiership. Runner to winner ratio 61.9%
- Magic Millions 2021 A Per Incanto weanling makes $500,000. Bonham (by Per Incanto) sells for $1.6 million, the most expensive Per Incanto offspring ever sold.
- Hong Kongs Leading Sire 2021
- Lost & Running is selected by TAB 2021 & 2022 to run in The Everest
- Decemeber 2024 Per Incanto Leading NZ Sire on Australian Premiership 9th thanks to these Spring Stars.
Pin Up Palace
Pin Up is purchased. With LA expanding and Per Incanto and Nadeem serving good books of mares, Sam and Catriona jumped at the opportunity to purchase the neighbouring property and with it 5 hectares of land. The seasonal staff of that year, nicknamed the house “Pin Up Palace” after Hugh Heffner! The name came about with the pool parties and fun times at the house in the summer!FABULOUS FOALS
A new foaling unit at Bernies. The barn was converted into 8 boxes, with a special mare and foal box. A new vet crush was installed, lime yards, small grass paddocks for the mare and foals post foaling and a new hut made along with several spot lights and high tech cameras to 24 hour surveillance. Paddocks were re fenced into the new Magnum fencing product for the safety of the mares and foalsROCH ‘N’ HORSE
Born, bred and reared by Little Avondale. Raced by A Cassin, G McLeod, G Pickering, R Wilson, M Smith, G Sharman, W Parkinson, P Collett, Sam and Catriona. As it was covid times and Karaka 2022 was moved to the March instead of the normal January, Sam was unable to attend Flemington as that was the final day of sales. Catriona travelled over by herself, encountered many issues to get there, but was on course to witness Roch ‘n’ Horse winning at 100/1 odds! Sam, Kirsty, Rolf and Hannah were travelling home with all the sales gear, managed to make Turangi and watched it in the Turangi Tavern with the locals! After screaming the bar down to the amusement of the locals, Sam then shouted the whole bar!!2022 VRC Gr.1 Darley Sprint and Sam and Catriona this time were both on course to witness Roch ‘N’ Horse win her second Gr.1 defeating a topclass field! A moment to treasure for a lifetimeRochy’s Block, purchase of 38 Morris Rd neighbouring property. Major development was undertaken, including new pastures, new Duncan Equine fencing and renovating the large lock up shed. A lovely area for mares and foalsLA JOCKEY CHALLENGE
A jockey series for the best ride of the month, run for 6 months of the year, with the overall winner, from public votes being announced via facebook.
Finalists for 2021
Sam O’Malley, Hazel Schofer, Sarah McNab, Craig Grylls, Sam Weatherley and Ryan Elliot. Overall winner Sam WeatherleyFinalists for 2022
Courtney Barnes, Tayla Mitchell, Lisa Allpress, Jason Laking, Joe Kamarudden and Michael McNab. Overall winner Michael McNabbLITTLE BROSE & BELCLARE
85 & STILL YEARLING IT
Aug 1 kicks off another year of foals and yearling preparation. A special hoodie for the team and a celebration in December highlight 85 years of fun in the thoroughbred game. A special shout out to everyone who has helped us with the horses, on the farm, in the office and racing with us… we wouldn’t be where we are without youLittle Avondale announce a NEW stallion
Little Brose, the Group 1 Blue Diamond winner and son of Per Incanto.
A special thanks to all who are in the syndicate with us and here’s to the next chapter of fun at LA!