Sons Paul and Murray helped shape the acres and acres of rolling pasture into a safe and productive home for broodmares and young stock. Areas not suitable for horses support a beef and sheep operation, which assist with pasture management and parasite control.

A steadily increasing broodmare band soon required the services of a resident sire, and then another. Foundation sire Sky Filou came to Grande Vue Lodge in 1986, he was soon joined by Beau Zephyr. As they moved on, Lord Revenir and Victory Dance were happy to continue in their hoofprints. Unfortunately Lord Revenir proved to be infertile, due to an illness he suffered whilst in Australia the previous season. Victory Dance has gone on to be the sire of three Group One winners and will stand this season at Otaki Stud in the Lower North Island region.

Our most successful sire to date is Desert Sun, who was leased to us by Ra Ora Stud for two seasons prior to his sale to Australian stud Eliza Park. 1999 saw us enter into our first shuttle stallion venture, with Turtle Island visiting in an agreement with Coolmore Stud, Ireland.

The millennium saw us standing just two sires, Magic of Sydney and Strike Diamonds, with a busy season resulting in light of the popularity of the Danehill Sire Sons. Magic of Sydney and Strike Diamonds remained for 2001, with Strike Diamonds relocating to Sovereign Lodge Stud, Levin early in 2002.

St. Petersburg was purchased by Grande Vue Lodge to stand his first season at stud in 2002. St. Petersburg stood for three seasons at Grande Vue Lodge, until 2005 when he relocated just over the hill to Brighthill Farm, Tauwhare. He is still owned by the Holmes Family, but following a decision to downsize our stud operation it was felt to be in the best interests of St. Petersburg to move him to a high profile stud farm where we could also continue to support him with our broodmares. Magic of Sydney was sold in 2005 to a stud farm near Perth, Australia - close to where his Group One winning full brother DANEY BOY resided, hopefully providing Magic of Sydney with a fresh start to his stud career.

With Paul and his family having relocated to Australia in 1996 Grande Vue is now run and managed by Allan, Marlene, Murray and Eve, along with only one permanent staff member and one casual. We have a very 'hands on' policy to the running of our property, which ensures that resident and visiting bloodstock are constantly monitored by responsible and experienced people who care.

We move into the 2005 season with enthusiasm, and are confident of producing quality youngstock capable of becoming the champions of which we all dream.