Lib and Katrina Petagna’s Elsdon Park, formerly Valachi Downs, is rapidly gaining recognition for producing quality racehorses since taking ownership in 2022. Under General Manager Kerrie Cox, the farm is successfully breeding sound, versatile horses, with four graduates from last year’s draft qualifying for the Listed TAB Karaka Millions 2YO race. The farm supports sires like Ardrossan, with several stakes winners, and maintains a strong broodmare band of around 80, continually improving facilities and considering standing a stallion to complement their breeding program.

Elsdon Park’s colors have recently featured prominently in major races, with classic hopefuls Ammirati and Day One targeting the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby, and Fairy Dream winning the Gr.3 NZB Desert Gold Stakes. The farm’s draft for Karaka includes promising yearlings such as a Per Incanto colt out of Santa Catarina, an Alabama Express filly from Daniela’s Magic, and a Maurice filly related to a fast stakes-winning two-year-old, reflecting Elsdon Park’s commitment to breeding well-balanced, precocious, and high-quality racehorses suited to a range of buyers and racing ambitions.