From little things, big things grow. Now we’re among the leading thoroughbred stud farms in Queensland, but it’s been three decades in the making! Our 990-acre Queensland stud farm grew out of a love of horses, and a passion for the industry. Clear Mountain Stud originated at Clear Mountain, neighbouring Samford, on the outskirts of Brisbane in the late ’80s after Bob and Maree Frappell purchased a 40-acre property. Bob and Maree were passionate about horses, and were already a part of the Queensland racing industry.
They’d been racing a handful of horses and moved towards thoroughbred breeding after purchasing two broodmares from a local sale.
Early success and the growth of the stud farm
“The more land you have, the more horses you have”
-Bob Frappell.
Spoken like a true horseman.
Their love of horses and the industry soon expanded and more broodmares were acquired as well as leasing a further 40 acres of the adjoining property. The family’s dream was soon realised after standing their first stallion roster; Alfarqad, Buck’s Pride and Rolling Minstrel.
Their own young colt comes of age
By this stage, Bob and Maree’s eldest son Michael had completed his degree in Equine Science at the University of Queensland (UQ) and the family set their sights on expanding the stud farm.
Clear Mountain Stud moved to Freestone, a stone’s throw from Warwick.
After moving Clear Mountain Stud to Freestone, Mick spent the following two years shuttling stallions to the United States of America (USA) for Vinery Kentucky and working the Northern Hemisphere breeding seasons where he held a management position.
This experience was invaluable and further laid the foundations for his horsemanship and management skills for the family’s ever-expanding business in Australia.
The business end of things
Bob and Maree’s background was running retail and wholesale businesses. The business acumen they gained from their success, was applied to the thoroughbred industry with the same principals of fair play and skill. Their approach to ethical business, customer care and humane animal husbandry is what has set them apart and allowed them to grow their reputation as leading thoroughbred breeders in Queensland.
Growing pains
With only a few stables, the Freestone property lacked the infrastructure for the fast-developing thoroughbred stud and building soon commenced with new fencing and the expansion of paddocks, yards and stables.
The stallion roster was further developed and the clientele base quickly followed.
The Frappell family soon realised their Freestone property was unable to cater for the next stage of growth and subsequently, Fairview Thoroughbreds, situated on approximately 800 acres was on the market in Greenmount, just 20 minutes west of Toowoomba.
Although a hard decision at the time, in hindsight Bob now says, “It was inevitable for the growth and success of their business.”
Clear Mountain Fairview is born
In 2005 after countless trips of livestock transpired from Freestone to Greenmount, Clear Mountain Fairview was born. No sooner were the bags unpacked, the neighbouring property, a touch under 200 acres came on the market and the Frappell’s again invested.
With incredible irrigation, this particular part of the property is home for the hay growing which supplies Clear Mountain Fairview. The property boasts lush green paddocks and plenty of room for young horses to grow in the sunshine.
Clear Mountain Fairview meets Queensland Racing Ltd – love at first sight
In 2006, Mick met Lisa Campbell while she was working at Queensland Racing Ltd in Communications and the pair married in 2008. Lisa’s background in the racing industry and her business degree in marketing and public relations completed the nucleus of Queensland’s best thoroughbred facility, Clear Mountain Fairview stud farm.
Always room for improvements
With the introduction of breaking-in and pre-training services at Clear Mountain Fairview, further improvements were planned and developed by the Frappell family. The most recent constructions have seen a 1500 metre training track, a set of four-horse barriers, an undercover round yard, undercover tie-up stalls and a HorseGym treadmill added to the stud farm’s extensive infrastructure.
Looking toward the future
With over 30 years already written in the history books about Clear Mountain, new and exciting chapters are continually being written for the Frappell family and their thoroughbred achievements. Bob, Maree, Mick and Lisa along with Riley and Brooklyn are looking forward to the years ahead of watching future winners that are bred, born and/or raised at Clear Mountain Fairview.