Our Story
Situated at Patrick Estate, in the Somerset region west of Brisbane, the 81 acre property is an hour`s drive from Brisbane.
Established and operational in 2012 by Pete and Chantal McMullen, Somerset Farms has quickly developed into one of the finest harness racing training centres in the Sunshine State, situated perfectly in-between Brisbane and Toowoomba.
The McMullen name is synonymous with the harness racing, with both Pete and Chantal been raised in the industry, graduating from mini-trotting ranks to now being recongnised as one of the leading husband and wife partnerships in the country.
Pete is son of respected horseman John and Grandson of ‘Hall of Famer” J.C Hollywood McMullen while Chantal is also daughter of another respected trainer and current Albion Park track curator Tony Turpin.
We’re All About Racing
Somerset Farms was predominantly established for harness racing training, the Turpin McMullen partnership has achieved many tiles in recent times.
In 2021, Pete established a new Queensland record with 315 driving victories which also won him the national titles in recent times while Chantal has prepared a record haul of 153 winners.
It was a record-breaking year.
Pete McMullen
Having loved the sport since an early age, being the Third generation it’s no surprise that Pete’s driving career started with a bang winning multiple junior drivers premierships and becoming the youngest driver to drive 1000 winners at 23 years old. Soon after he also become the youngest driver to reach 2000 wins. Also, at the age of 23 Pete won the inaugural Australia drivers’ championship driving in excess of 100 winners for 13 straight seasons. With his biggest year coming in 2021, winning a staggering 315 races in a single season which has titled him the Australian driver of 2021 along with numerous feature races it became a record-breaking year.
With a passion for young horses and evolving success of Turpin Mcmullen Racing’s young stock, it was Pete’s dream to expand the racing operation. Somerset farms went from a dream to reality which will be standing world champion, A Rock n Roll Dance, this coming breeding season.
Chantal Turpin/
McMullen
Growing up in the harness racing industry there was no other career path Chantal wanted to pursue. After coming though, the mini trot ranks gaining her license at 16 Chantal won a junior driver premiership in her first year of driving. Chantal also won multiple trotting driver premierships. Chantal also represented Qld in many drivers’ championships.
At the age of 20, Chantal along side her Husband Peter, decided it was time to start their own journey in the industry creating their partnership Turpin McMullen Racing. As the role of the trainer Chantal attracted plenty of owners who are still currently enjoying the ride of succuss. Building a nice profile of horses enabled the stable to participate in some of the richest races the industry has to offer.
Turpin McMullen Racing stables quickly become one of the leading stables in Queensland having won multiple feature races and having trained excess of 1200 winners.
Rylee McMullen
Rylee is 7 years old who has a heart of gold. Her interest in the veterinary and horse well-being side of the industry will be an asset to Somerset Farms in the future.
She currently races her Shetland pony “Always be Rexy” and loves being a driver just like her mummy and daddy.
Olivia McMullen (Livy)
Livy is 3 years old, full of personality and sass. She loves working in the stables (stable foreman) with mummy and daddy. When she gets bigger she wants to be a driver just like her daddy and of course be better than him.
Livy also enjoys racing her big sister at home with her Shetland pony “Sweet as honey”
