The Saga of the Gang Ranch

Once the largest ranch in the world, the legendary million-acre Gang Ranch has a 130-year history that includes hardship, humour, bankruptcies and tragedy. So named because it was apparently the first ranch to use a double-furrowed gang plough from England, it began as the Canadian Ranching Company in 1863.

Dealing with tough times

Tragedies included the loss of 3,000 cattle to a cold winter in 1878 and dire financial times, which lead to the purchase of the ranch by Thomas Dixon Galpin, a London publisher, in 1891. So began a lengthy list of owners, the last being a Saudi Arabian Sheik who, it is rumoured, has only visited twice since 1988. Currently run by an investment company, the ranch is a success story today.

Inspiring stories

Numerous movies and commercials have been shot on the ranch (such as the Marlborough Country) and many books have been inspired by the vast landscape. The Incredible Gang Ranch by Dale Alsager attempts to capture the entire intriguing history of the legendary ranch that sprawls outside of Riske Creek.