Our Team
Catriona & Royston Murphy
Catriona has been in the business of thoroughbreds her entire life due to an extensive family history of involvement dating back to the early 1900s. After graduating from the prestigious Marcus Oldham College, she spent four years at Widden Stud gaining her Equine Nursing qualifications, before heading overseas on a scholarship with the Kentucky-based Hagyard-Davison-McGee Equine Medical Institute to work in its intensive care facility. Upon her return to Australia, ‘Treen’ spent a further three years with Darley in the Hunter Valley as part of its stallion nominations team, before her permanent move to Sledmere Stud.
Email: treen@sledmerestud.com.au | Mobile: 0409 369 965
Royston began working with horses from a very early age on his grandmother’s property, Oghill House Stud, located in Co. Kildare, Ireland. His extensive work history includes stints with world revered outfits such as Winfield Stud in Canada, as well as Darley and Derrinstown Stud back in Ireland, before 1995 saw him decide to make use of his Australian Passport (born in Sydney) and join Segenhoe Stud as the assistant broodmare manager. ‘Roy’ was then instrumental in the relocation and re-development of a new home for Segenhoe Stud in 1999, and soon after took over the manager’s role before ending an 18-year association with the famed Hunter Valley outfit to join Catriona at Sledmere Stud.
Email: royston@sledmerestud.com.au | Mobile: 0428 418 926
Belinda Miller
Stud Office Manager
Melanie Gillett
Accounts Manager
Stacey Reeve
Operations Manager
Rowan Sedgwick
Veterinarian
Casey Yates
Broodmare Manager
Montana Mason
Assistant Yearling Manager
James Lonergan
Farm Manager
Bella Hamilton
Vet Nurse
Testimonials
BRAD ARNOLD-CROOKS
“My time working with Sledmere Stud was an exciting experience that allowed to me develop my skills within the Equestrian and Racing Industry.
“As a school leaver, I was offered my first full time employment as a yearling handler with the team at Sledmere, where I worked in a structured and exciting environment learning the ropes of a yearling handler.
“Throughout my experience, I learned a large array of skills associated with the preparation and care of elite thoroughbreds, including the preparation of the yearlings for sales, their daily management, and developed a high attention to detail for their health and wellbeing.
“I was lucky enough to go with the Sledmere team to the Magic Millions and the Summer Classic Yearling Sale which was an amazing experience. I learned to prepare the horses for sale and parade them in the auction ring, and was able to make many friendships within the industry.
“This role taught me invaluable skills within the industry, which has since allowed me to offer others guidance and coaching within my own equestrian endeavors. I would highly recommend this role to anyone who has a passion for horses, racing and the thoroughbred industry!”
JORDAN CUMMINS
“The time I spent in Australia was both equally enjoyable and beneficial to my career. I learned a lot about how the industry works down there, the similarities and the big differences. I worked at Sledmere on the farm with all the yearling sales too. Sledmere is a beautiful, progressive farm. It is run really well, with a lot of very impressive stock.
“I was there for the first horse they sold over a million and they have just built on that year on year. Although it’s a big operation, it’s very family and team orientated which I really appreciated. Sometimes in the big consignments the care factor can get a little lost, but not in Sledmere, everyone does their best by the horse and the clients and of course we had a lot of craic too, between bbqs, Xmas parties and boat trips and racing — there is no shortage of fun excursions.
“With the farm based right in Scone it’s ideal for everything — shopping, going out, train to the city, McDonalds Breakfast at smoko. Everything.
“Royston and Treen were a pleasure to work for. The farm is on an upward spiral that seems to have no limit. I couldn’t recommend the farm or team at Sledmere highly enough.”
GAINNE HODNETT
“I really enjoyed my time working for Sledmere. I worked for Sledmere for the yearlings sales and really enjoyed working for them. The horses were so well prepared and made the job even more enjoyable. The team was one of the best teams I have worked with in the horse industry. Everything was so well run and organised, it was a real pleasure to work for such an amazing organisation. I was really looked after during my time working for Sledmere and was shown that appreciation at the end of my time with them. “