The transition is complete. As of 1st August 2009, Waikato-based Yarndley Farms (1978) officially became Breckon Farms. Ken and Karen Breckon actually bought the standardbred breeding and agistment farm from long-time friends, Sandy and Jan Yarndley, on 1st August 2007.
With the name change comes the announcement that the farm will undergo multi-million dollar developments. Not only do the Breckon’s intend to increase their personal mare count from 15, but they also want the farm to become a world renowned state-of-the-art standardbred breeding and agistment complex.
Work has already started on more than $2m worth of developments on the farm based at Te Awamutu - 25km from both Cambridge Raceway and Hamilton.
The farm will be fenced with post and rail, with approximately 25% already completed. Two ponds have been built and will be used for farm irrigation. They also intend building a new stabling enclosure, a new house and guest accommodation.
There has also been a staff increase since the changeover. Sandy Yarndley is still used in an advisory and public relations role and his son Scott manages the farm.
Ken Breckon is vice president of the Auckland Trotting Club, and has been passionate about harness racing almost all of his life. His father George, and grandfather Joe Bowyer were racing men. He believes now is the perfect time to invest in harness racing because the industry is thriving and has a bright future.
"If I do something I want to do it well. Karen and I intend travelling to America to see how all the big breeding farms (standardbred and thoroughbred) and studs operate. We want to do our homework and have a five-year development plan we want to accomplish," Breckon said.
Karen is on the New Zealand Standardbred Breeders (North Island Branch) Association and like her husband, is deeply passionate about harness racing. They both paid a tribute to the Yarndley's for what they had inherited.
"We are good friends and are grateful for what they have done in the past - and continue to do now. Megaera was the first and best racehorse we have owned and she is a daughter (10th) out of Aberfeldy, who has been on the farm since the 70s," Breckon said.
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