Back

Highway to Hell
...your road to success!

“If the Highway to Hell is riding Rooster, I’ll go anyday.”
~ Kimberley Sammon

Service Fee

  • $2,200 inc GST
  • + Vet & Agistment
  • LFG
  • Fresh & Chilled semen available.
  • Live Cover – Conditions apply

Downloads

Standing

Jara Park Performance Horses
336 Sandy Creek Road
Grantham  Qld  4347

Highway to Hell's Story
+

Highway to Hell was bred by Raelene Higgins from her legendary mare One Hellofa Spin.  Choosing a sire to continue the legacy of this outstanding mare needed careful consideration and only the very best could possibly be an option. In 2010 for Raelene, that was Dual Rey.

Photo by Ken Anderson. Highway to Hell.

The resulting chestnut colt foal was born on 1st November 2011. As he grew it was evident  that this colt was something special. He was eye catching, a good size, an outstanding type and a pleasure to be around. He was named Highway To Hell and Raelene made the difficult decision to put him through the 2014 Landmark Classic Sale.

He was broken in as a 2yo before being sent to Hugh Miles for sale preparation. While there was significant interest in the colt, there was one young man quietly making a plan, hoping to buy this stunning young colt and enter his cutting career with a flying start.

Mat was just transitioning from campdrafting into cutting. At the time he was working from Kingaroy under the guidance of Mark Buttsworth. Mat was training his first cutting horse, Hard Hat Hilda, and preparing for the 2014 NCHA Futurity.

Having such an exceptional horse at the start of his career, Mat was hungry for another great cutting prospect and when he saw Highway to Hell in the sale catalogue he was determined to have a go at buying him. To give him a shot at coming home with the colt, Mat sold a couple of his other young horses and also formed a syndicate with good friend Wayne Saddler, called the Allstar Syndicate.

Initially it was the colt’s genetics that appealed to Mat. “I already had a lot of respect for Dual Rey and his progeny, I liked the way they moved”. That he was out of One Hellofa Spin was the icing on the cake and Mat knew this was a serious prospect.  He and Wayne went into the sale having no idea if the colt would top the sale or if they could buy him, but they were hopeful.

In the end, Highway to Hell did top the sale at $70,000 and The Allstar Syndicate were the successful bidders.

Highway to Hell & Mat Oakley
Photo by Ken Anderson. Highway to Hell & Mat Oakley.

At this time Mat had moved to Killarney where he would base his training operation from Graham Amos’ facility. Highway to Hell went straight home with Mat to Killarney and continued his training, and the process of transitioning from preparation for campdrafting to a cutting focus. He very quickly proved to be everything Mat and Wayne had hoped for. His intelligence and trainability were apparent from the start, as was his athleticism. There has never been a moment that Mat has doubted this superstar horse.

Mat would compete on Highway to Hell in the 2015 NCHA Futurity. He was still a newcomer to the sport and was happy to make the Limited Open Futurity final. Mat is the first to admit that it was his own lack of show experience that resulted in the pair missing the Open Futurity final by 1 point.

“At first I  probably didn’t understand how much horse power I had. I knew he was good. He has always been easy to train and very honest. He has been a pleasure the whole time. As my training methods have changed over the years, I have been able to bring out the flare he has, and he continued to adapt and get better as my training evolved”. To Mat that shows what an amazing mind the horse has.  “I’m not sure all horses would have done what he has, stayed competitive and even got better being asked to adapt as we went along”.

Highway to Hell, Casey Mann & Mat Oakley
Photo by Ken Anderson. Highway to Hell with the then Casey Mann & Mat Oakley turning back.

Mat describes Highway to Hell as being very intelligent, and inquisitive. “He has a very big heart. He wants to please and he never gives up”.  Mat also says that he adjusts to the rider seamlessly, and can be competitive for his wife Casey in a Non Pro event then go up a gear when Mat asks a lot of him in Open competition.

Highway to Hell will always hold a special place for Mat. “I have had him from a 2 year-old and competed on him at the highest level in the country and been able to win against the best. That is very rewarding.”

Mat was looking forward to going out with a bang in 2021 on Highway To Hell, having planned the stallion’s transition to campdrafting. Unfortunately the 2021 NCHA Futurity was cancelled due to Covid and his final showcase changed to the Victorian Futurity. Mat did not make the decision to move Highway To Hell to the campdraft arena lightly.

Having a background in campdrafting, Mat is very aware of what it takes to excel in that sport as a sire. Mat made sure the horse could rate a beast and had the legs and athleticism to be able to compete at the highest level before he even contemplated this decision. He also consulted friend Mark Buttsworth who gave the stallion a run on cattle and agreed to campaign him.

2020 HVCC Scone Open Futurity Champion, Mat Oakley & One Hellofa Hilda. Photo by Stephen Mowbray.

Highway To Hell was already appealing to mare owners wanting to breed camp horses. His exceptional, refined time, size and athleticism as well as his good mind are all the ingredients it takes to breed champion progeny. “There’s a lot of nice horses, but he has that bit extra. I think he will be a very good camp horse and he is already proving that he is passing on his superior traits to his foals”.

Highway to Hell has around 30 progeny on the ground so far as of 2021. His oldest is a Classic Challenge aged cutting horses called Reybanz who is a successful show horse. Another of his early foals is called One Hellofa Hilda, who won the 2020 Peel Valley Open Futurity.

His progeny are soft minded and very balanced. Mat said he has been thrilled about how consistent they are. “We get quite a few different genetics come through here and I haven’t found any better than Highway To Hells progeny. Regardless of what mare they are out of, they all have had a similar feel and this is very exciting”.

Highway To Hell has never flown under the radar. This stallion has caught the imagination of all who see him since he was a 2yo. He is bound to continue to captivate as he enters the next phase of his competitive career and as he continues to prove his merit as an exceptional and versatile sire.

The next chapter...
+

In February 2023 Highway To Hell was sold by Mat & Casey Oakley to Kara & Jamie Gray, owners of Duck N Down (DUCK).

Kara says of their new addition, “We were tentatively looking for another stallion with future plans of standing the stallions here at home. We were looking for something to compliment our Duck N Down mares yet marketable for a return on investment.

Photo by MS Photography. Jamie Gray on Duck N Down. Kara Spoor on Highway To Hell. 2023 Allora campdraft.

“We had thoughts of heading to America and importing an outcross, then on our way to the Nutrien Classic we noticed that the Oakleys had advertised Highway to Hell. We knew he had the breeding and type, we knew he could cut a cow, the only thing we didn’t know was whether he could chase a cow at speed.

“After talking to Mark Buttsworth we were comfortable he had all the attributes we desired in not only a campdraft horse but a Sire.

“However the selling point was certainly his paddock name “Rooster”. We are apparently into our poultry.”

“Rooster has settled into drafting extremely well. Having attended 5 drafts for 4 placings is a true testament to his ability considering we still have him locked in second gear while he learns his new craft.

“We can’t thank Mat and Casey enough for giving us the opportunity to own such an awesome animal.”

Results
+

2024

Now an Open Horse!

  • WINNER Beaudesert Restricted Open with Kimberley Sammon.

2023

  • Warwick Stallion Draft =2nd with Mark Buttsworth
  • WINNER Cooyar Campdraft Novice
  • Juandah Plains Maiden – =8th with Jamie Gray
  • Nutrien Supreme Open Cutout winner after 3-way runoff. Ridden by Kimberley Sammon.

Highway to Hell was purchased February 2023 and hit the ground running.  Jamie said he’s starting his Campdrafting career nicely.  They still have him locked in 2nd gear whilst he’s learning, but these are the results from his first 5 drafts:

  • Cooyar Open – 7th
  • Toogoolawah Novice – 5th
  • Yarraman Novice – 2nd
  • Beaudesert with Kimberely Sammon:
    • Open – 5th
    • WINNER Novice cutout
    • WINNER Jackpot cutout

2022

  • Nutrien Masters Graduate Campdraft – =4th with Mark Buttsworth.  300 entries and this was just his 3rd draft.
  • Kumbia Novice campdraft – Ran a 90 on just his 2nd start.

 

2020 - 2021

2021

  • Burrandowan Open – 3rd
  • AQHA Q21 – Open Champion (76)

2020

  • HVCC, Scone
    • Open Champion (77)
  • PVCC, Walcha
    • Open Champion (76)
    • Open Non Pro Champion (75)
  • PVCC, Walcha
    • Open Champion
    • Open Non Pro Reserve Champion
  • HVCC, Scone
    • Open Non Pro Champion with Casey Oakley (75)
    • Open – 3rd
  • Toowoomba Open – 3rd

2018 - 2019

2019

  • Comet Futurity – $15,000 Novice Champion
  • Toowoomba Open – 2nd (220)
  • HVCC, Scone – Novice Champion (75)

2018

  • NRCC, North Star – Open Classic Challenge Finalist
  • BRCC, Grafton – Open Champion

2015 - 2017

2017

  • North Star Classic Cutting
    • Open Classic Reserve Champion
    • Limited Open Classic Champion (221)
  • Armidale Cutting For Cash 15,000 Novice – Co Champion (148).

2016

  • Victorian Futurity – Derby Finalist
  • Armidale Cutting for Cash – Finalist

2015

  • NCHA Futurity
    • Wild Card Finalist
    • Open Limited Futurity – 3rd
Progeny
+

One Hellofa Hilda

  • Dam: Hard Hat Hilda
  • AQHA: Q-94736
  • Foaling date: 12/10/16
  • Owned by Ali Ali

2021

  • Autumn Spectacular, Scone
    • Open Futurity Finalist
    • Limited Open Futurity Finalist

2020

  • HVCC, Scone – Open Futurity Champion (74)
  • PVCC, Walcha – Open Futurity Champion

Reybanz

  • Dam: Hard Hat Hilda
  • Q-94737
  • Foaling date: 7/11/2015
  • Owned by Ali Ali

2021

  • Burrandowan
    • $5,000 Novice Champion (74)
    • $15,000 Novice – 2nd (74)

2020

  • HVCC, Scone – Open Reserve Champion
  • PVCC, Walcha – Open Derby Champion

High Voltage

  • Dam: Spin N Metallic (2019 NCHA Open Classic Challenge Champion).
  • Owned by Ali Ali.

2022

  • 2022 Nutrien Masters Sale. Top priced gelding:
    • Sold $90,000.
    • Purchaser: CW REA INVESTEMNTS PTY LTD
  • Autumn Spectacular Open Limited Futurity Champion.
  • NCHA Open Limited Derby 3rd with Mat Oakley

Spinin The Wheels

Highwayman

2022

🟢 Lot 227
💠 Sold: $15,000
💠 Vendor: A & K Sullivan
💠 Purchaser: Jack Hayes

Fancy

  • Filly
  • Dam: NCHA money earner and Futurity finalist Dee Bar Royal Miss
  • Owned by Link & Chris Baumann

Metallic Highway

2023

  • NCHA NP Limited Classic =2nd with Steve Graves
  • NCHA NP Classic – 3rd with Steve Graves
  • NCHA Open – 5th with Troy Randell
  • NCHA National Amateur Classic – 8th with Steve Graves

2022

  • NCHA NP Classic Amateur – 10th with Steve Graves
Progeny Sales
+

2024 Nutrien Masters Sale

  • Lot 65 – Just As Proud
    Sold: $27,500
    Vendor: Engag P/L – Rossiter Family
    Purchaser: J Sharpe

2024 Nutrien Supreme Sale

  • Lot 66 – Bankrupt
    Sold: $7,000
    Vendor: Duddy P.H
    Purchaser: DPC
Pedigree
+

Sire: Dual Rey

Premier cutting horse and cutting horse sire, legendary in his own time.

Visit Holmes Performance Horses’ website for a full list of this outstanding sire’s accomplishments.

Dam: One Hellofa Spin

The only Quadruple Crown Winner in Australia’s history.
(Winner: 2003 NCHA Futurity, 2004 Derby, 2005 & 2006 Classic)
  • Highest money earning Cutting Horse in Australia.

Full information is available on her website: www.authenticqh.com

Maternal Grand Sire: Doc's Spinifex

Doc’s Spinifex is renowned as being one of the most influential sires Australia has ever seen.  His progeny performance record includes:
7 NCHA Futurities, 8 NCHA Derbies, 3 NCHA NP Futurities, 2 NCHA NP Derbies, 2 NCHA Classic Challenges, 1 NCHA NP Classic Challenge, Warwick Gold Cup & Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge winners.

  • LTE: $29,988.

Image courtesy of Mike Kenyon Sports Photos.

Great Grandsire: Peppy San Badger

(1974 – 2005)

Studbook
+

AQHA Number:  Q-73584
Foaling Date:  01/11/2011
Colour: Chestnut
Height: 15.1hh
Breeder:  Raelene Higgins
Current Owner:  Jamie Gray
HERDA/HYPP/OWLS: N/R

VIEW FULL INTERACTIVE PEDIGREE CHART >>
(Click on PEDIGREE TAB within icompete)

Sire: DUAL REY (IS) DUAL PEP (IS)  PEPPY SAN BADGER 
MISS DUAL DOC
NURSE REY
Dam: ONE HELLOFA SPIN DOC’S SPINIFEX (IMP) DOC’S OAK (FS)
ROANIES LYNX (IMP)
ROCS STARDUST ROC’O’LENA (IMP)
EUROKA STARLET 
Print Advertisement
+

2023

Ad by Peek Graphics.

 


2022

Artwork by Peek Graphics.

2021

Ad by Peek Graphics – Tracey McClurg.

2020

Ad by Peek Graphics – Tracey McClurg.

2018

Ad by Peek Graphics – Tracey McClurg.

2017

Highway to Hell ad
Artwork by Peek Graphics – Tracey McClurg

2016

Highway to Hell poster
Artwork by TM ArtNDesight – Tracey McClurg
Photo Gallery
+
Video Gallery
+

2024

2023

2022 

2021

March

  • Just 4 weeks training with Mark Buttsworth & he’s transitioned seamlessly to campdrafting.  [Watch him in training]

2016 Victorian Futurity – Open Derby

2014 Landmark Sale


Progeny

Just as Proud

One Hellofa Hilda

Metallic Highway

2022

Zigtallic

High Voltage

Contact

Kara & Jamie Gray
336 Sandy Creek Road
Grantham  Qld  4347

Mob: 0488 414 891
Email: kara@jaracc.com.au


STALLIONS

Facebook Feed