Some horses catch your eye through their pedigree. Others impress through their conformation. For husband-and-wife team Peter and Jenny Cook of The Retreat Horse Company in North Queensland, Lyra Park Deputy offered both.
Sired by the influential Hazelwood Conman and out of Broomfield Stylish Diamond, a Warwick Gold Cup-winning mare owned by Steve and Louise Comiskey, Deputy carried the genetics of proven performance from the very beginning.
Peter and Jenny first saw Deputy advertised for sale. His conformation immediately stood out, and as the couple researched his pedigree further, their interest quickly grew. The combination of Hazelwood Conman's proven sire power and the Peptoboonsmal influence carried through his maternal line made him a young stallion they simply didn't want to miss.
When Deputy was offered for sale as a late two-year-old, Peter made the 13-hour journey to inspect and ride him. At the time, he had received approximately thirty rides under the guidance of owner Peter Grey and was exactly where Peter Cook believed a young horse should be in his education.
While his pedigree initially attracted their attention, it was his physical makeup that ultimately secured the purchase.
"Conformation is the most important thing to us," Peter explains. "Once we saw him in person, we knew he was the type of horse we wanted in our program."
Located between Townsville and Ayr, The Retreat Horse Company has spent the past thirteen years building a breeding program focused on producing quality performance horses, with a strong emphasis on Peptoboonsmal genetics. Deputy's pedigree aligned perfectly with their long-term vision.
From the moment he arrived, Deputy began to demonstrate the traits that continue to define him today. He was put straight into a mustering camp where he settled effortlessly into work. When first introduced to cattle one-on-one, his natural focus and desire to work a cow became immediately apparent.
However, it is not his athletic ability alone that Peter believes sets him apart.
"The biggest attribute he has to contribute to a breeding program is his attitude," Peter says. "He's laid back, relaxed and low stress. Nothing seems to worry him. He doesn't waiver in his attitude regardless of what is asked of him."
Throughout his training, Peter has always assessed his young horses by observing how quickly they reach a stress point. With Deputy, that point never seemed to arrive.
Whether undertaking dry work, cattle work, mustering or daily station duties, he consistently displays an exceptional level of trainability, willingness and composure.
Peter firmly believes that a strong dry work foundation is essential for every performance horse, and Deputy's ability to absorb new concepts and adapt to different training techniques has continually reinforced his confidence in the young stallion's future.
Today, affectionately known around the property as "Johnny," Deputy remains an integral part of daily operations, regularly being used for station work. Peter believes he genuinely enjoys having a job to do.
The Cooks are quick to acknowledge the people who helped shape Deputy into the horse he is today. They remain grateful to Steve and Louise Comiskey for the foundation established during his early years, and to Peter and Susan Grey for the exceptional start they provided under saddle.
As owners, they hope both families are proud of what has been produced from the joining of two outstanding horses in Hazelwood Conman and Broomfield Stylish Diamond.
Looking ahead, Peter and Jenny believe Deputy has the genetics, temperament and physical attributes to establish himself as both a competitor and sire within Australia's performance horse industry.
Hazelwood Conman has already cemented his place among Australia's leading sires, and Peter believes Deputy possesses the qualities required to continue that legacy alongside his successful siblings who have excelled in campdrafting competition.
At just five years of age, Deputy's story is only beginning.
The couple are already encouraged by his first foal crop, having bred him as a late two-year-old. While none of his progeny are under saddle yet, they have been highly impressed by their conformation and development.
When considering the qualities they hope Deputy passes on, the answer is simple.
His strong conformation. His desire to work a cow. And above all, his calm, low-stress attitude.
Combined with good bone, sound structure and an exceptional mind, Peter believes these are the traits that will allow Deputy to enjoy a long and successful career while also making a lasting contribution as a sire.
For Peter and Jenny Cook, the future is bright.
They feel fortunate to have secured a stallion carrying such proven bloodlines and are excited to watch the next chapter unfold, both in competition and through the generations that follow.
Coming from a line of champions, Lyra Park Deputy represents everything The Retreat Horse Company strives to produce: a horse with pedigree, purpose, temperament and the potential to leave a lasting mark on the Australian performance horse industry.
