Eureka Stud was founded in 1935 by Andrew McAlpine. Similar to a number of thoroughbred studs in Queensland, the property has been handed down from one generation to the next - current owners/managers being Andrew's son (Colin) and grandson (Scott).
Over the past 69 years the original 'square mile of timbered Darling Downs country with no infrastructure and no fencing except along the boundary line' has expanded to 1350 acres.
But don't expect to stumble across Kentucky-style stallion barns and water fountains when you drive through the front gate. Practicality, well maintained buildings, a focus on safety, and a desire to reduce the stress on every horse on the property has resulted in success, not necessarily a five-star hotel rating. "It's not the colour of the fences - it's what's inside them that counts," Scott says.
Eureka earned the title of leading stud for the Queensland winter carnival in 2003 and boasts an impressive tally of four Magic Millions winners, Group winners in every State, the Group One winner Picaday, Just Now, Scenic Peak, Show a Heart and Skalato (which had it taken from him on a technicality) as well as multiple Group wins and Group One seconds including Eureka Jewel, Memphis Blues and Skalato.
The family's ability to breed and raise such an enviable list of Group performers becomes more noteworthy when you consider that most have been produced from a moderately priced broodmare band.
Eureka mares have won Queensland Broodmare of the Year no less than four times (most recently in 2003 with Our Today). The stud owes much of its success to an historical (yet increasingly rare) approach of supporting foundation mares and their daughters over decades - not months or years as commercial nuances dictates what may or may not be 'fashionable' - thus producing future generations of champions ( a strategy also supported by world renowned owner/breeder, the Aga Khan). Colin says, however, that you can't learn it overnight.
Eureka Stud's 69-year history gives it the distinction of being a true achiever in the field of producing exceptional thoroughbreds.
Like the miners of years gone by, the McAlpine family's success has been achieved by back-breaking work, the occasional stroke of luck, and a stoic ability to deal with an occasional darker cloud that taints all our fortunes on occasion.
