Armidale consists of 1,000 acres of prime country in the central north of Tasmania. Owned and farmed by the Whishaw family since 1919, Armidale is nestled between the junction of the Liffey and Meander Rivers near Launceston.

With almost 11 kilometres of river frontage, the farm boasts some magnificent alluvial river soils and an abundant supply of water from the Meander Valley Irrigation Scheme.

With a firm commitment to sustainability and improving soils and pastures, Armidale grows its own lucerne/pasture hay and seed crops such as barley, lupins, peas, beans, onions, shallots and poppies.

More recently, further development of the farm has been undertaken to allow irrigation to all paddocks to provide green pastures year-round.

Armidale has been in the Whishaw family since the early 1900’s, however, the farm didn’t become a thoroughbred operation until the 1960’s which is when the late David Whishaw’s interest in breeding thoroughbreds began.

In anticipation of the introduction of the TAB to Tasmania and the belief that it would lead to a revival in Tasmanian racing, David decided to convert part of Armidale into a thoroughbred stud. Armidale’s first winner came in 1964 with Paladale.

David leased a stallion called Sailor’s Reward, he was a useful sire, but the breakthrough came when he leased Sandastre. On the strength and success of Sandastre, David was able to build a band of broodmares.

In 1971 David approached local businessman and family friend Robert Fergusson to join with him in financing an imported stallion for Armidale. That stallion was Swallowtail II, the first of many stallions to stand at Armidale from Ireland and England.