Tradition

Prominent in the early political histories of the old Colony of Natal, the Summerhill and Hartford Studs have been producing world class racehorses since the 1930s, sending out the winners of every major race on the South African Racing Calendar. It is appropriate then that, as neighbouring properties, they should be represented today under the single banner of Summerhill Stud. With their stately residences and the old chapel built by two Prime Ministers, these properties are national treasures.

Innovation

Summerhill is renowned for its exceptional facilities, its highly advanced communications and administrative infrastructure, an internationally trained workforce, and one of the finest stock-raising environments in the world. Besides being the nation's "number one" sales agency for over 30 years, Summerhill pioneered the first Ready To Run sale in the Southern Hemisphere twenty-seven years ago.

Success

The South African Breeders' Championship is one of the tightest held titles in the world, having resided in the hands of just seven entities in over a century. In 2005 the record books were re-written as Summerhill claimed the premiership by a record margin. In 2006 our previous record was eclipsed five weeks before the season's close, and this was followed by record-breaking margins in 2007, 2008 and 2009. In 2010, Summerhill's record earnings for the Championship were more than double its closest pursuer, and in 2013 the title remained East of the Drakensberg for a modern day record of ten seasons.

Commitment

Today, this farm is home to Africa's most formidable band of young sire talent, and includes among its stallion owners, the celebrated names of breeders in Australia, Japan, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Dubai and South Africa. And for the first time in history, through their acquisition of an interest in Await The Dawn, the once disadvantaged community have got "skin" in the game.

Community

Summerhill provides one of the most comprehensive client services in the world. Besides accommodating a sizeable proportion of the breeding stock of the nation's top owners, more than a third of the farm's resident horse population belong to customers in the United Kingdom, the USA, the UAE, Australia, France, Japan, Germany, Ireland and Hong Kong. Although Await The Dawn is no longer with us, Summerhill’s staff upliftment programmes are unsurpassed. With the assistance of the School Of Management Excellence and the many programmes it provides, as well as those of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, the Summerhill team is constantly striving to improve, not only in our skillset, but also in personal and professional growth and development.

Social Responsibility

As part of our ongoing commitment to education and training, we have awarded close on 50 international scholarships to members of our once-disadvantaged community. The doors of our School of Equine Management Excellence in Equine studies opened in May 2011, and it is regarded by many as the finest educational facility of its kind in the world. Thababani Nzimande, the first recipient of a standing scholarship awarded by the Childwick Trust to the English National Stud, earned that venerable institution's "Best Practical Student" prize in 2012. International Scholarships: John Motaung in 2013 and Ashlee Melissa Hammond earned best Academic in 2015. Summerhill accommodates more than 200 staff and their families, and is home to four educational institutions. 

Summerhill Timeline