Situated in the Riverina, NSW, on the banks of the Murrumbidgee river. Yirribee has been long known as a premier standardbred breeding farm. Established in 1985 by Rod Woodhouse and the late Ian Walsh, the property comprises 180 acres of rich, irrigated pastures. The stud carved its name as a leader in the breeding industry, boasting first class facilities for agistment, rehabilitation and foaling down along with training facilities and AI on farm.

Under new ownership in 2024, of the Picker family. Grant, Jenna, Dennis, Joe, Michael and Ben, who come from Bigga, a small village in the Southern Tablelands of NSW, where they run their large sheep and cattle enterprise on 10,000 acres of land.

 

The Picker name is known largely in the wool industry as generational superfine wool growers, but the family are no strangers to the harness racing world either.

 

Jenna’s father Tom Hewitt was a successful trainer driver and stud master back in the 70s 80s and 90s. Her brothers Mark, David and Bern Hewitt along with her many nephews and nieces are known widely in the harness racing game today.

 

Dennis has also made his mark in the training and driving ranks before taking time off from racing over the last few years to help build on the families sheep and cattle enterprise, along side of his brothers.

 

Diversifying their business the family have brought Yirribee. Dennis with his wife Jamie have moved to Wagga to run the property, with the whole family being heavily involved they hope to continue Yirribee as a prestigious standardbred stud producing well bred yearlings and standing world class stallions, whilst keeping in mind the needs of the industry and looking after the grassroots of the sport within the Riverina district and afield.

​