THE CUMMINGS family of Lawrence have announced they’re winding down their stud business, Tuapeka Lodge, and selling most of their broodmare band.

Of the 10 mares for sale — all based at Macca Lodge — six have already been sold.

“It’s a bit sad but after 50 years the time has come for Tuapeka Lodge to wind down,” the Cummings say on their website. “We don’t intend to give up completely but to cut back to two or three mares and keep a hobby going for a few more years.

“We’re all getting older and Dan has just found out he has to have open heart surgery after Christmas. Unfortunately there aren’t any young ones in the family who wish to carry on the stud at this stage so now (suddenly) is a good time to wind down.”

The mares sold so far are Sumtala (Bettor’s Delight-Spring Thaw); Raconteur (Bettor’s Delight-Letatalk), whose first live foal, Talkerup, qualified brilliantly in Canterbury this week; Raindowne (Life-Sign-Tuapeka Tango); Lillian (Falcon Seelster-Marsa Star); Hit The Spot (Bettor’s Delight-Tuapeka Christa); and Real Wings (Badlands Hanover-Tuapeka Wings).

Others still for sale are Gracy Lady (Christian Cullen-Spring Thaw), Tango Lady (Artsplace-Tuapeka Tango), Atom Queen (Soky’s Atom-Maureen’s Dream) and Tuapeka Christie (Christian Cullen-Tuapeka Frost).

All the details are on the Tuapeka Lodge website.

FOOTNOTE: The mares have now all been sold.