DARLINGTON STUD
119 McCarthys Rd.
GREENMOUNT QLD 4359
Dane Bateman: 0428 320 292 or
Katie: 0418 575 537
E: darlingtonstud@outlook.com
NO MANE SYNDICATE
Michael & Toni Dwan
“Elwanvale”
Michael: 0427 466 121
Email: elwanvale@gmail.com
Mick and Hayley Hughes
“Westacre”
Mick: 0418 164 094
Registration: ASHS#243844
Foaling date: 26/01/2015
Colour: BAY
Height: 15.1hh
Breeder: Smith Family
Current Owner: No Mane Syndicate
Genetic Testing: HYPP: HERDA: OLWS: PSSM1: GBED: MH – Clear N/N
VIEW FULL INTERACTIVE PEDIGREE CHART >>
| Sire: HAZELWOOD CONMAN | DOGWOOD COMENT | ELLIOTTS CREEK CADET |
| DOGWOOD MADAM | ||
| HAZELWOOD ROMANCE HSH | WARRENBRI ROMEO | |
| CARDONIS BREEZE | ||
| Dam: SMITH FAMILY JUST LIKE JESS | WARRENBRI ROMEO | REALITY |
| WARRENBRI JULIE | ||
| GARTHOWEN TRIXIE | JERICHO | |
| GARTHOWEN BONNIE | ||
In the lead-up to the 2026 Nutrien Classic Sale, one bay stallion was creating a lot of buzz. Smith Family Just Jack was always going to appeal as a genuine sire who not only has winning progeny on the ground but is an outstanding competitive individual in his own right. He has a pedigree stacked with campdraft royalty on both sides and, importantly, has a laid-back temperament. If there was a formula for the ideal sire, Just Jack would define it. He was always going to appeal to buyers, and no one was surprised when the gavel fell at $315,000.
The Syndicate who owns Just Jack was formed specifically to buy the horse. In the week leading up to the sale, the two couples, who are long-time friends, realised they each intended to bid on Just Jack. They decided it made sense to pool their resources and buy him together.
The No Mane Syndicate is made up of Toni and Michael Dwan, and Mick and Hayley Hughes. Both couples were primarily looking for a well-bred stallion with a good performance record to put over their mares. For Michael Dwan, Just Jack held extra appeal as an exciting, competitive horse for him to campaign.
The Syndicate members were already familiar with the horse, so when he appeared in the catalogue, he immediately stood out. “We’d seen him and obviously liked his ability,” Toni explains. “We also knew his family. We’d watched his mother compete in her prime and thought a lot of her.”
Having the highly credentialled campdraft mare Smith Family Just Like Jess on the page was a major drawcard. “That mare line was very important to both of our families, and the fact that it traces back to Warrenbri Romeo was a big appeal,” Toni says. As Michael puts it, “His parents are two of the most decorated horses in campdrafting.”
Just Like Jess’s record speaks for itself. She set the bar high on many occasions, including in 2012 when she doubled up to win both the Condamine Bell and Ladies Draft’s on the same day – the Bell with Ben Hall and the Ladies with Jaye Hall. With Ben Hall in the saddle, she also won the 2014 ACA Finals Open and finished 2nd in the Chinchilla Grandfather Clock Open in 2012. She also finished 2nd in the Champion of Champions at Warwick by just half a point with Heidi Smith in 2015. Heidi Smith said she won more Open and Ladies events than she can remember, and as of 2026, has already produced four campdraft winners.
A week before the 2026 Nutrien sale, Michael and Toni went to Hugh Miles Performance Horse’s training facility to see Just Jack up close and for Michael to have a ride. They were thrilled with his style, conformation and temperament. They couldn’t have been happier with the horse. The Syndicate were determined to take the horse home and knew they would have to fight hard in the sale to secure him.
Toni said that as the bids started to slow, around the $300,000 mark, they decided not to miss him. “We would have regretted not bringing him home, for the sake of an extra bid or two”.
“It made sense to buy him over a younger, unproven colt”, Toni said. “He has already proven himself. There is no guessing with him”. Just Jack’s impeccable temperament was another major drawcard. “He is such a gentleman. As athletic as he is, he is also a really lovely, quiet horse – the sort of horse who wants to be your friend. That is a huge appeal for anyone with hotter mares”.
Not long after taking him to his new home base at Allora, Michael’s father, who is in his 80’s with 2 dodgy knees, clambered his way on to have a ride. Toni said the horse could not have been more patient, and this calm, fuss-free nature soon endeared him to their two families.
As for his ability, Michael says his record speaks for itself. “Everyone knows he can cut out and run cattle. But more than that, he is an all-around nice horse. He is naturally very soft. He walks really well and travels nicely in the bush. He is a beautiful flat-travelling, soft-going horse – not just soft in your hands, but he has a calm mind. He is just like having a kids pony around”.
Trainer and vendor Hugh Miles also spoke highly of Just Jack’s quiet, genuine nature. In a pre-sale interview, he described him as a horse that had been easy to have around from day one. Hugh first prepared Jack for the Nutrien Classic Sale as a 2yo and continued to train and campaign the horse for his next owners. When the opportunity arose, Hugh purchased the horse himself — a clear indication of how highly he rated him.
The decision to offer Jack at the 2026 sale was not made lightly. With a demanding schedule and multiple commitments, Hugh said he felt the horse deserved more opportunities than he could give him. Still, Hugh was obviously torn about parting with the beloved stallion. “I wouldn’t have minded if I took him back home,” he said.
Hugh said that Just Jack is a very consistent horse, no matter how tough the cattle are. He described him as doing everything with ease. “He is quick footed in the camp, and you couldn’t ask for a better horse outside,” Hugh said. “You feel invincible on him”.
The plan from now is for both couples in the Syndicate to put Just Jack over their mares, while also standing him to outside mares. Toni said that they are also excited to take him campdrafting, and he offers a fresh motivation to get off the farm and put work to one side. “He will make us get out and have some fun instead of working all the time. He is good for all of us”.
Combining two of the greatest – performance, cow and temperament in one exceptional package.
Highlights include:
Now under new ownership.
2025
2024
2020
Lot 243 – Smith Family Just Jack
Nutrien Classic Horse Sale
Sold $58,000
Vendor: Smith Family
Buyer: Koobah Performance Horses
Dam: OAKS RIVER QUEEN
Owned by Jack Lawrence
2025
Dam: KAYPEHAICH MY MISS ACRE
Owned by Brett Welsh
2 starts for 2 wins
Lot 457 – Grenadier Sheez Jill
2yo mare
Sold $20,000
Vendor: Jonathan McDonald
Buyer: Sansom Family
Lot 628 – Newmexico Miley
2yo mare
Sold $17,500
Vendor: M N M PASTORAL
Buyer: P & A ROOTS
Lot 261 – Coolest
Sold $80,000
Vendor: Mr B Tapp
Buyer: Elders Dalby
Lot 575 – Peelvale Jaycee
Sold $75,000
Dam: Oaks Future
Vendor: Hugh Miles
Buyer: Westacre
2yo mare with a proven pedigree and a lineup of successful half-sisters, all Open mares: Wishes, Dreamtime, Chic Acres, Futurama, and Chics Destiny.
Lot 406 – Smith Family Annie
Sold $21,000
Vendor: Smith Family
Buyer: Springview
Lot 71 – Spoonful of Jack
Sold $14,000
Vendor: Queenslander Creek P/L
Buyer: BEN MOONEY
Hazelwood Conman has reached legendary status and is a truly great sire. He has: a great pedigree, a successful performance record of his own and proven progeny.
Visit Hazelwood Conman’s page to read his story.
A few key wins and places for Jess
When asked about Just Like Jess, this is what owner Heidi Smith had to say, “I don’t know if I’d ever have the words for her or the impact she has had on our life or our breeding program to be honest…it started with her mother – a stunning black Jericho mare Dad purchased as a 2yo from Lex Wiseman – registered as Garthowen Trixie but we called her Jessica.
Jessica was an open mare in her own right, campaigned by Dad (Barry). As she got older, he wanted a Romeo foal out of her – thus Just Like Jess was born.”
Just Like Jess won many drafts, biggest achievements include her winning the Condamine Bell in 2012 with Ben Hall and the Ladies at Condamine the same day with Jaye – this hasn’t been done before by the same horse in the same year. I (Heidi) was 2nd in the Champion of Champions at Warwick in 2015.”
She was the best minded mare to have around, she was fast and tough and incredibly talented. What she achieved in the arena was incredible, but what she has bred us is equally amazing.”
Just Like Jess has produced many outstanding progeny. Heidi describes her as “ONE IN A MILLION”.
2023
2025
2024
2020
2026
2025
2024
2022
2020
PROGENY
Peelvale Jaycee