Our Staff

Kevin Foley recently joined our team as Stud Master. Kevin has been involved with horses most of his life as owner, trainer & public trainer of thoroughbreds winning Group & Listed races. The last three years saw him working in & managing Quarantines in Australia & New Zealand. He is very excited to have the challenge of running the Stud.

Jo Hafoka joined Woodlands full time in 2009 after working partime for several years. She lives on the runoff Puketutu Island and especially loves working with the foals. Her kindness to the young horses is reflected in the weanlings laid back temperament and confidence around people. Jo's experience started in Thoroughbreds in the 80's. She has a genuine passion for horses and juggles her spare time between looking after her two children Connor and Maddison and helping out at Mangere Pony Club over many years .

Jack Moore has worked at Woodlands Stud as assistant stud groom for 4 years. Prior to that he worked on Charles Roberts' farm as well as running his own maintenance and gardening business. He has been involved with horses initially in an administration capacity for 30 years, including 12 years at Wrightson's Bloodstock (now NZ Bloodstock) compiling pedigrees. Jack enjoys the challenge of working in and learning all aspects of stud work at Woodlands. He is very much a team player and has a special interest in supporting 'Riding For The Disabled' in Drury, Auckland.

Chrissy Foley has also joined the Woodlands Team with husband Kevin. Although Chrissy mainly comes from a heavy transport back ground she has been involved with horses since she was a teenager with her daughter currently completing a pony. Chrissy will be involved with the stud work & transporting mares. She is looking forward to working with our great team at Woodlands.

John Devlin has been a long time identity in racing in NZ. He has been selling horses to Australia through his business Southern Standardbred Agency for over 30 years. Recently fully recovered from a major health scare John has a new lease on life for 2010. John known to most has been working for Woodlands for several years and is an integral part of the marketing team.

Nathan Varcoe came on board with Woodlands Stud early in 2009 as our Australian Agent based primarily in NSW. Nathan is also responsible for stud marketing, DVD production and our website.His family has been involved in the standardbred industry for well over 50yrs through his grandfather's lifelong friendship with the late Jack Honan. The love of the harness racing was then passed onto Nathan at a very early age. Nathan's passion is the breeding side along with his family to produce many smart race horses over the years. Of recent note is the Bettor’s Delight sired Kid Courageous, p1:54.3 performer in Australia & the 4th fastest Australasian Bred Bettor's Delight who was sold to the US in 2010. Nathan takes great pleasure from being part of an industry he was born into.

Steve Cornwall joined Woodlands in the role as accountant in February 2010. Steve has a lifetime interest in harness racing from his student days in Christchurch in the mid 1970's (trials and race meetings sure beat attending accounting lectures). Qualifying as an accountant in 1975 he spent 2 years in Melbourne, 10 years in Motueka, and now 22 years in Pukekohe in both commercial and chartered accountancy roles. He has owned horses since 1976, been licensed to train since 1988 (26 wins) and the occasional driver (4 wins). Breeding from 2 trotting mares with wife Steffi including the dam of Tuhimata Glass.

Louise Pallin passed away 13th December 2011 as a result of a car accident - she will be sadly missed by all. Louise joined the Woodlands team in February 2010. Louise who owned and been around horses all her life fitted in with the Woodlands team seamlessly to become a real asset to the stud.