23rd December, 2025
As another year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on what Kirkbys Stud has achieved and looking ahead to what is still to come. Only recently, while researching our foundation broodmares, did I realise that 2024 marked our 70th anniversary.
In 1954, Kirkbys Stud began its journey with a simple goal: to breed horses of outstanding quality, versatility, and temperament—and these are still our primary goals. It’s noteworthy that our stud began with a grey mare, KIRKBYS WHITEY – FM HSH (born in 1954), especially since Kirkbys Stud has become well known for producing outstanding greys—a point Phillip frequently highlighted as particularly significant. Regardless of my year late timing, we look back with immense pride at the Kirkbys Stud legacy.
In the beginning…
Breeding began with a handful of foundation mares Phillip hustled from his uncle. The mares, born between 1954 and 1964, included KIRKBYS WHITEY – FM HSH, KIRKBYS STORM GLORY – FM HSH, KIRKBYS COMPANION – HSH, and KIRKBYS TANGO – HSH, all of which still influence the breed today. These mares lay the foundation for the temperament, athleticism, and reliability that have become hallmarks of Kirkbys horses.
KIRKBYS WHITEY – FM HSH (Bignalls Radiant / unknown) was the dam of KIRKBYS MERCURY – IM HSH, who bred 10 foals, including the 1989 Prince of Wales trophy winner KIRKBYS STUD WALLAROO (sire of 71 foals), and KIRKBYS STUD OLIVIA – HSH, a novice and ladies campdraft winner, a led, hack, working class champion, and pony club horse.
KIRKBYS STORM GLORY – FM HSH (Storm Warning / Glen Prairie Glory) has over 800 descendants in the studbook and was the dam of KIRKBYS ABALEEN – IM HSH. Abaleen was the dam of two notable mares. The first being KIRKBYS STUD EPAULET – IM HSH, the dam of KIRKBYS STUD MANGO – HSH, KIRKBYS STUD ORCHY – HSH, and KIRKBYS STUD OFFICER – HSH (the sire of 319 foals). The second mare was KIRKBYS STUD COLLEEN – IM HSH, the dam of influential mares in KIRKBYS STUD ROSALIE – HSH, KIRKBYS STUD SHINE, KIRKBYS STUD SHADOW, and the stallion KIRKBYS STUD TURBO. See the ASHS article about Storm Glory).
KIRKBYS COMPANION – HSH (Good Company / unknown) was the dam of KIRKBYS RUBY – HSH, an open and junior campdraft winner. Ruby bred two horses that are still seen in pedigrees today. Firstly, KIRKBYS BAGUETTE – HSH, who is the dam of KIRKBYS CAMEO – HSH (great-granddam of EAGLE HUSTLER – HSH), KIRKBYS STUD OMEO – HSH, open campdraft mare KIRKBYS STUD COOL – HSH, and KIRKBYS STUD IMAGE – HSH. The second is the stallion KIRKBYS STUD OMEN – HSH.
KIRKBYS TANGO – HSH (Bignalls Radiant / Iodine) is the paternal granddam of KIRKBYS SUNSHINE – HSH, the dam of CONDAMINE ROMANO – HSH (sired 135 foals), who won 10 and placed in over 50 campdrafts and has sired some highly competitive horses.
The first registered horse with the ASH for the stud was KIRKBYS COBALT – IS HSH, a grey stallion foaled in 1966 with register number 79. Cobalt was by ABBEY – FS HSH and out of Miss Radiant by Bignalls Radiant. Cobalt sired 196 foals and quickly made his mark, not only as a show and Australian Championship Campdraft winner, but as a foundation sire whose influence can still be seen in Kirkbys Stud pedigrees today.
From these foundations, Kirkbys Stud has become synonymous with quality, reliability, and performance. Carefully selected outside sires (e.g., WARRENBRI OMEGA – IM HSH and ADIOS REFLECT – IM HSH) and generations of homebred mares and stallions have contributed to a breeding program that produces across-discipline horses excelling in campdrafting, polocrosse, showing, showjumping, and station and pleasure riding.
And now…
Our story would not be possible without the riders, trainers, and families who have chosen to partner with Kirkbys Stud horses over the decades. Your partnership with these horses has helped us reach this milestone, and we are grateful for every success. We’d love a trip down memory lane—please share your photos and memories, whether from the early days or your latest adventure—so please contact us.
Thank you for being part of the Kirkbys Stud story, and enjoy your ride!
Liz
