Situated in the Riverina, NSW, on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River, Yirribee is a Standardbred breeding farm renowned for quality, care and long-standing industry involvement. Established in 1985 by Rod Woodhouse and the late Ian Walsh, the 180-acre property features rich, irrigated pastures and purpose-built facilities, earning a reputation for breeding, foaling and year-round broodmare and horse care, supported by first-class on-farm facilities.

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In 2024, Yirribee entered a new chapter under the ownership of the Picker family—Grant, Jenna, Dennis, Joe, Michael, Ben and their families, who hail from Bigga in the Southern Tablelands of NSW. The family operates a large-scale sheep and cattle enterprise across more than 10,000 acres and is widely respected in the wool industry as generational superfine wool growers.

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The Picker family also has deep and genuine ties to harness racing. Jenna’s father, Tom Hewitt, was a successful trainer, driver and stud master throughout the 1970s, 80s and 90s, while her brothers Mark, David and Bern Hewitt, along with the next generation of the Hewitt family, continue to be highly regarded participants within the sport today.

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Today, Yirribee operates as a closed stud, placing strong emphasis on quality over quantity. Dennis Picker and his wife Jamie are based in Wagga Wagga and oversee the day-to-day management of the property, supported by the wider family. Together, they are committed to producing well-bred, commercially attractive yearlings and standing world-class stallions, while remaining mindful of the evolving needs of the industry and the importance of supporting grassroots harness racing throughout the Riverina and beyond.

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