Peter Liston is a guy that wanted the best for his family, there is nothing wrong with that, he could always ride with the punches, he could weather the storm, he was born and raised in the Mallee, they don’t give in easily up that way.

He and his wife, Pauline, with their family, moved to a horse stud known as Lakewood Stud, South Australia, in the distance was Narrung Stud where the sensational thoroughbred sire Adraan stood, his first and only season, and further on, the waters of Lake Albert.

It didn’t take long for Peter to realise he was pushing a barrow uphill, he gave up the ghost but not the ambition.

After what was a short period Peter and his wife, Pauline, with their family, wanted to return to Victoria, it offered more security and an improved lifestyle.

Above all it had to be horse country within reasonable reach of the capitol city that is where much of the racing and breeding industry is centred.

The family took their time looking about, they knew what they wanted, it may take a little time, they were prepared to wait for the right property.  

It didn’t take that long for the Liston family to settle on “Three Bridges” on the Loddon River, where the gums grow as tall as they do along the Murray.

A place of peace and tranquillity where time seemed to stand still, as you walked through the lush pastures that were to be known as Three Bridges, not that far away from the small hamlet of Eddington.

When the stud got up and running all new stabling was built, holding yards and paddocks, a veterinary facility, modern feed sheds and a brand new home with all modern cons.

Pauline Liston is a remarkable woman, she is a true horse women, she wouldn’t ask a man to do a job she could not do herself.

Stryker was the first sire to stand at Three Bridges, he was by Fastnet Rock, he proved a very handy sire, however, he wasn’t really commercial, you needed to do better to remain a going concern.

You don’t find them under gooseberry bushes, the market is extremely competitive, there are a lot of players with the same intentions.

Peter Liston thought he had struck a pot of gold, the horse he was able to secure was the outstanding two year old colt, Unencumbered, who had just won the Magic Millions Classic, it was better than winning the lottery.

Unencumbered produced winners from his first crop to race, he was up and away, he was in for a marvellous season.

He was leading first season sire with progeny earnings of $1.9 million, and that was just the beginning, his first crop of yearlings sold up to $150,000.    

Sadly Unencumbered died just after a couple of seasons, there will be no replacement for him, he had 59 runners for 32 winners .

Peter Liston