Cam and Eva Heron attended the National Weanling & Broodmare sale in 2013 and while they weren’t planning on it, they purchased two broodmares! After foaling down these mares they gave them a few seasons off which allowed Cam and Eva to study pedigrees and further their knowledge. In 2019 they moved to their Cambridge Property where they are now based, and their main priority was to make it as safe as possible for their client horses. They installed Magnum Horse Rail throughout the farm and based their operation around providing quality spelling, rehabilitation and yearling preparation. They also foal down a select amount of mares. The yearling draft is importantly about quality over quantity, they offer around 18 yearlings (and no more than 20) to ensure that they all receive individual attention and care for their needs to get the best out of them.
Through their boutique numbers, they’ve produced some of New Zealand's best horses. Legarto and Alabama Gold were foaled down on the farm at Highline with Dark Destroyer being prepared and sold at the National yearling sales under the Highline Thoroughbred banner. Through the success they’ve provided it’s the special journey these horses take their studmasters on and the exposure they bring when they can go on the track to perform. Personally, Eva, highlighted Legarto who said, ‘there was always just something specialabout her’ she was easy to prep. Legarto was sold in book two of the National yearling sales they thought she was the standout of the book two draft.
Highline emphasizes the desire to stay boutique to ensure every horse gets the attention it needs to succeed in their life. However, they are chipping away at growing a quality boutique farm that produces quality horses to prep and sell who will venture off to succeed on the track. Like most breeders, the goal is to breed a group one winner but they found a niche that works well for them to produce these quality horses. In their short time, they’ve also bred Pimlico who was Group Two placed, and Beavertown Boy who was listed placed. They pinhooked Glamour Tycoon who is also listed placed.
For the future, Eva and Cam would love to see a strong New Zealand racing industry supported by better prize money for races. A big step forward is having Entain on board, who recently purchased the TAB, which has already seen an impact in the state of our racing industry by boosting prizemoney and Eva hopes it continues to increase in the future. it is also important for horses to find careers after racing suitable to their needs, the work by a group like Eventstars is very important to their life after racing – and do an amazing job at it!
The biggest success for Highline Thoroughbreds has been the preparation of multiple Group One and Group winners. Because of the remarkable relationships with people like Warwick Jefferies who bred Legarto, Dark Destroyer and Alabama Gold and entrusted Highline to foal down and prepare his horses, it bolsters other relationships and loyal clients to return seeing the success of horses prepared by Highline Thoroughbreds. This is what also gets them out of bed every day. The progression of the horse while under their care from seeing them foal down right through to being sold as a yearling is a long and sometimes demanding process, but to see them go on and be successful racehorses is what makes it all worth it.
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