Who Are We

Homeleigh Farm is a boutique, family-run stud farm located in the heart of East Galway, founded by husband-and-wife team Brian Byrnes and Kara Dixon.

While Homeleigh Farm is a new chapter, the land and its connection to horses have been part of the Byrnes family for generations. Brian’s parents, Michael and Helen Byrnes, established the yard many years ago and have maintained a small, hands-on operation built around good horsemanship, hard work and a genuine love of horses.

After building successful careers across some of Australia’s leading racing and breeding operations, Brian and Kara returned to Galway to continue and expand that legacy — combining world-class industry experience with the warmth, care and attention of a boutique family farm.

Together, they bring more than 30 years of combined experience spanning thoroughbred breeding, racing, sales, marketing and large-scale farm operations.

Brian grew up immersed in the industry, attending sales at Goffs and Tattersalls Ireland and riding work for trainers throughout the west of Ireland before relocating to Australia in 2014 for a placement with Coolmore Australia. What was intended to be a short-term opportunity evolved into a decade-long career working across respected operations including Coolmore Australia, Aquis Farm, Seymour Park and Lovatsville.

Kara was raised on a stud farm in Queensland, Australia, where her family farm produced champions including Zoustar and Buffering. After beginning her career in racing and events with Brisbane Racing Club, she later returned to the thoroughbred industry through Aquis Farm before joining Moonee Valley Racing Club as Campaign Manager, delivering three Cox Plate Carnivals alongside major hospitality, events and commercial campaigns.

At Homeleigh Farm, their shared vision is simple: to create a professional but deeply personal farm where horses are raised with care, attention and strong foundations.

Nestled amongst the rolling countryside of East Galway, the farm sits on what many consider one of Ireland’s hidden gems. While perhaps lesser known internationally than some traditional breeding regions, East Galway is home to exceptionally fertile, free-draining limestone land long prized by local farmers for premium dairy and livestock grazing.

For horses, these limestone soils provide outstanding natural advantages - supporting nutrient-rich pasture, excellent drainage and a highly bioavailable natural source of calcium essential for bone strength, muscle function and development. Combined with the gently undulating terrain and peaceful environment, the landscape provides an ideal foundation for raising sound, healthy horses.

Framed by historic Galway stone walls and generations of farming heritage, Homeleigh Farm reflects both the future and tradition of Irish horsemanship.

HOMELEIGH FARM

Home is where the horses are.