Wattle Brae Stud has a rich history spanning more than ninety years. Much of it revolves around the Turkington family with present proprietor, Gary Turkington, along with his wife Phoebe (nee Hinton), the fourth generation on land first settled by Gary’s great-grandfather George Turkington in 1910.

As a 15-year-old boy, George Turkington emigrated from Ulster, Ireland, to Australia, to the small Queensland town of Allora. It was the turn of last century, and his long sea journey saw him marry Susan Hancock and eventually settle his substantial family of twelve, on an annexure of the nearby Pilton Homestead property, one of the great holdings on the Darling Downs dating back to 1870.

George and Susan made their living out of cows, but had a passion for fast horses that they bred and raced for diversion. It was their eldest son Thomas, and his wife Daisy (nee Hart), who established Wattle Brae Thoroughbred Stud for horses alone. This they did in 1921, due to Thomas’s innate horsemanship and Daisy’s love of pedigrees. To this day, Thomas Turkington’s distinctive TT brand is carried to victory by all Wattle Brae-bred horses.

This tradition was continued by their son Raymond, along with his wife Mariann (nee Scudamore-Smith), who not only enjoyed the same success, standing two champion sires, but substantially expanded the original property, handing over in turn to their son Gary Turkington just twenty years ago.

Under Gary Turkington’s stewardship, Wattle Brae Thoroughbred Stud has entered the 21st Century bigger and better than ever. However, some things will always remain the same. Gary too, has an innate horsemanship, and Phoebe Turkington also loves pedigrees.

And their three children are poised to continue what their ancestors started nearly a century ago. For Wattle Brae Thoroughbreds is the oldest family owned and operated stud in all of Queensland. It’s a banner worn with considerable pride.