Welcome to Bucklee Farm

About Bucklee Farm

Bucklee Farm Is Owned & Operated
By Peter Buckley & Leeanne Smith

Leeanne became involved with racehorses at a very young age. She was only 12 years old when she would go before school to the stables of “Bonnie” Hoysted in Mordialloc and muck out boxes for the small wage that helped her pay for the feed and agistment of her pony. As suspected, racing got into her blood and she continued to work for the “boss” until his untimely death in 1978. Leeanne’s memories of those days are highlighted by being the strapper of Manikato. As she says “only a handful of people are lucky enough to be associated with a champion and I was one of them”

While working in stables, she cemented many wonderful friendships that in the business path she has now taken are a wonderful asset especially at the yearling sales when promoting her drafts.

She then decided to have a look on the other side of the fence and moved to Euroa. Here she worked for the only stud mistress at the time, Thelma Harris at Lauriston Park. They stood Plush. Thelma was a marvelous horsewoman and preparer of yearlings. Leeanne decided then that one day she would make both of her
bosses proud.

In 1995, Peter and Leeanne purchased the farm that is now known as Bucklee Farm but was then a run-down old dairy farm.

Peter’s association with thoroughbreds comes from a long time friendship with the late Ollie Cox – one of the most respected horsemen and trainers in the North East of Victoria. The time spent with Ollie taught him invaluable horse skills. Peter also operates his own horse transport business and in the stud season can be seen all over the state at any time of the day or night doing walk-ins. On the farm he is the maintenance man and is kept very busy keeping everything in order.

Together they have established a very respected business in a very
competitive industry.

Services

The farm is attended by Wangaratta Equine Hospital in conjunction with the Warby Street Vet Clinic.

We are an hour’s travel to the Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital which gives us the perfect opportunity to be serviced by the best vets in Victoria. Our farrier, Mitch Dunnachie attends the farm every Thursday. Corrective attention for foals and yearlings is his specialty. All mares’ feet are regularly attended to.

We have our own 6 horse angle load float that enables us instant transport facilities for urgent needs.

We also provide walk-in services to all Victorian studs.

Farm Services

• 24/7 foal watch also offering CCTV cameras for the foaling areas and alarms as well as constant supervision.

• Walk-in service to all of the major studs in Victoria and Southern New South Wales.

• Weaning: our facilities enable us to handle the foals at a very young age that then leads to a much easier and less stressful time when weaning.

• Sales preparation: We prepare and attend all weanling, yearling and mare sales held in Victoria.

• Our facilities allows us to work in an environment that is safe, relaxing and healthy for our employees and the horses.

Location

Bucklee Farm is situated in the very fertile Greta Valley with the Warby Ranges acting as a wonderful background to the area. Just 5 minutes off the Hume Freeway between Benalla and Wangaratta makes it a very easy and direct drive from Melbourne. We are nestled right in the heart of Ned Kelly country. This also offers excellent opportunities to visit the magnificent wine regions and many tourist attractions of the area while visiting the farm at the same time.

The area is renowned for its farming, cattle production and cropping all due to the rich soil conditions, excellent rainfall and temperate weather conditions
– all the better for growing out a strong weanling or yearling and excellent for the healthy wellbeing of your broodmare.

Contact Us

Leeanne Smith 0427 662 394

561 Glenrowan-Moyhu Road Greta West Vic 3675