A legacy passed on

The purchase of one of the oldest Simmental herds in New Zealand defines the next chapter for Gold Creek Simmentals. Studmaster, Tom Sanson, says it’s a major step forward, with the historic herd playing a big part in the future direction of their breeding programme.

“We’ve been trying to expand our herd, but it’s hard to expand it quickly and keep the quality up in your females,” says Tom.

The acquisition brings approximately 70 in-calf cows into the Gold Creek operation, along with heifers and bull calves and a line of yearling bulls.

These cows will run alongside the existing Gold Creek herd, lifting total numbers to around 300 registered Simmental cows. That places Gold Creek as the second largest Simmental operation.

The Rissington Simmental herd has long been recognised as one of the country’s foundation studs, with generations of selection behind it. When the opportunity arose to purchase the stud, the Rissington team were keen to see the herd stay together and continue under a committed breeding operation.

“We are pleased to announce the sale of the Rissington Simmental herd to Gold Creek Simmental in its entirety, that ensures one of New Zealand’s foundation Simmental herds will continue under like-minded stewardship,” says the Absolom family in a recent newsletter.

It closes the chapter on 55 years of the stud that was the pioneering work of John and Star Absolom, who played a defining role in the development of Simmental genetics in New Zealand in the 1970s and 1980s. Rissington is renowned for nationally influential sires such as LJB Jade and Rissington New Standard.

The Absolom’s said that it is deeply satisfying to see the herd transition to Tom, who shares the same commercial focus, performance philosophy and commitment to the beef industry.

Rissington brings more than just scale to Gold Creek. The herd has been heavily selected on performance figures, bringing decades of disciplined performance recording and maternal history to complement Gold Creek’s structural and phenotype focus.

From this year’s sale, Gold Creek expects to lift from around 30 sale bulls to approximately 45 with the additional Rissington-bred bulls and progeny coming through the system under the new prefix from 2027.

By blending Gold Creek’s existing herd with the depth and history of Rissington, the stud is positioning itself to supply a greater number of structurally sound, performance-driven bulls suited to commercial beef systems – backed by cow families that helped establish the breed in New Zealand in the first place.

For more information visit goldcreeksimmentals.nz. The Gold Creek Simmental bull sale – 12pm 19 May 2026.