History

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 fourth generation Chitty is at the helm, Mark.

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).

More details on past stallions can be viewed in our Stallions section.