In 2018 Valachi Downs added a second arm in Valachi Racing. Located on 10 acres with 70 boxes and direct access to the Matamata track, Valachi Racing is led by Group 1-winning trainer Stephen Autridge and Kris Shailer. Not too far down the road at Parkvale, Tommy Hazlett manages the breaking-in, education and spelling of young racehorses.
Multiple Group 1 winner, Champion 3YO and Stayer in NZ
Unbeaten 2-year-old, stakes winner and three-time Group 1 runner-up
Group 1-winning Champion 2YO, Karaka Million 2YO winner
Group 1 New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas winner by Zacinto
Group 1 Auckland Cup winner and New Zealand Oaks placegetter
Group 2 The Roses Stakes winner and multiple Group performer
Group 2 Royal Stakes winner
Group 3 Sunline Vase winner
Group 3 winner and multiple Group performer
Dual stakes winner and Group 1 South Australia Derby performer
Listed winner and Group 1 Levin Classic runner-up
Multiple stakes winner and Group performer
Kevin Hickman loves the racing and breeding industry, and the challenge it brings. His aim is simple; to breed good racehorses who win good races. He's a natural detective and researcher who enjoys analysing pedigrees. The real enjoyment comes when he sees his horses he has spent so much time considering the mating pop and do something.
"It's the impossible challenge - to breed the ultimate racehorse. And I think that's how most people involved in breeding feel." - Kevin Hickman
Former top-class galloper Silent Achiever is a very special horse to us at Valachi Downs, with Kevin Hickman having bred and raced the talented mare in the Old Gold and Royal Blue silks.
A winner of the Group 1 New Zealand Derby, the Roger James-trained mare was at her best in the autumn of 2014 when she won the Group 1 New Zealand Stakes before completing the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes-BMW weight-for-age double in Sydney.
Naturally, the progeny of Silent Achiever will be an extremely valuable addition to the farm's bloodstock portfolio. She has already been covered by the likes of Frankel (2016 filly and 2017 colt) and his record-breaking sire Galileo (2018 colt) prior to her mating with Kingman (2019 colt).