The west's first betting line

Betting Line?s North American foal?s debut occurred at the 2019 Lexington, Kentucky sales, saw. On day one, three sold for an average of $100,000 Photo by Empire Stallions

The Australian Pacing Gold Yearling Sales series heads west to Perth (Western Australia) on Sunday 1 March with yearlings going under the hammer at the new Magic Millions complex in the Swan Valley, commencing at 1pm.

The Perth sale (119 lots) continues to see Betting Line yearlings for sale throughout Australasia from his first season where he physically stood at stud in Australia (semen shipped to NZ) – current season frozen semen being provided via Empire Stallions.

 Betting Line yearlings have already sold at APG Sales in Brisbane (average $24,875; four sold, one withdrawn) and Melbourne ($20,678; six passed in on sale day, fourteen sold) with further sales made at NZ Bloodstock’s NZ Yearling sales at Karaka, Auckland (16/7 February 2020; four lots) and Canterbury Agricultural Park Christchurch (18/9 February 2020; eleven lots).

Betting Line’s North American foal’s debut occurred at the 2019 Lexington, Kentucky sales, saw. On day one, three sold for an average of $100,000, with a colt out of Thirty X (Rocknroll Hanover/Glowing Report by Artsplace) selling to Robert Mondillo of Columbus, Ohio for $150,000, a filly for $100,000 and another colt for $50,000. On the second day, Southwind Xena (filly from Southwind Solara) sold for $230,000, fourth highest price on the day.

A total of twenty seven of Betting Line’s yearlings sold over the five sales sessions at an average of $59,148, overall eighth leading sire of more than four yearlings sold on averages, fourth pacing sire on averages after Somebeachsomewhere, Captain Treacherous and Always B Miki whilst Betting Line was eighth highest in aggregate sales ($1.597m). Betting Line yearlings together with those of Always B Miki proved the two most popular new sires at the Lexington sales.

Later in the year, the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Sales were held in November 2019. The first year sire again proved popular with buyers. On day one, eighteen of his yearlings sold for $1.590m, an average of $88,333, fourth leading sire overall and second in the pacing ranks behind Somebeachsomewhere. Dean B Hanover, a colt out of Deli Beach (Somebeachsomewhere/Jasmine Hanover) sold to Casie Coleman (Ontario, Canada) for $340,000 (ninth highest in sale, second leading pacing yearling overall).

By the close of day two, Betting Line had sold fifty two progeny, an average of $58,231, a couple of hundred dollars less than his sire Bettors Delight’s average yearling selling price. Leading Betting Line yearlings sold on day two were Hanover Shoe Farms colts Abuckabett Hanover (All Tucked Up – Western Ideal), sold for $160,000 to Tony Alagana as agent and Aime Hanover (All American Coed), sold for $160,000 to Casie Coleman.

Day three and Betting Line sold fourteen yearlings for $441,000 (average $31,500). Over the three days Betting Line sold the most yearlings being 66 (next was Captain Treacherous 44) for $3.469m, an average of $52,561 (third highest behind Somebeachsomewhere [$97,860] and Captain Treacherous [$54,295]) of sires selling more than three yearlings.

He provided the two top lots (colts) on day three :

• Keystone Catalyst (Keystone Caitlyn - Shady Character), a three-quarter brother to 2018 Ontario Sire Stakes champion Keystone Concrete. This is the maternal family of Lady W (U15), includes Keystone Havoc, dam of Keystone Horatio and grand dam of Bedroomconfessions, both millionaires. He was sold for $120,000 to Myron Bell as agent (consigned by Vieux Carre Farms)

• Twin B Edge (Twin B Exquisite - Rocknroll Heaven, family of strong Ontario Sire Stakes performers) sold to Casie Coleman (former trainer of Betting Line who purchased ten of his yearlings) for $110,000 (consigned by Twinbrook Farms)

Betting Line is one of the two best performed sons of Bettors Delight together with Lazarus being the other who stood his first season at stud in both North America 2019 and Australasia in 2019/2020 being the other. Betting Line’s 2020 North American book was full and closed prior to Christmas 2019.

BETTING LINE (2013c Bettors Delight/Heathers Western – Western Hanover), is the fastest race winning son of Bettors Delight, setting two world records for 3yo colts in Battle of Brandywine, 1:47.2US on 5/8ths track (Pocono Downs) and fastest ever on half mile track at Delaware, Ohio winning Little Brown Jug in 1:49.0US.

RACE RECORD :

Stats per USTA : note Canadian earnings converted to US dollar equivalents (in some publications earnings at 2 and 3 differ for this reason : alternative earnings value of $2,238,518).

At two in 2015 : his six wins included Group Two’s - Champlain Stakes ($88,000; Mohawk), Ontario Sires Stakes 2YO Super Final ($192,000; Woodbine) and Group Three’s - Ontario Stakes Gold Super Final ($250,000; Mohawk), Ontario Stakes Gold Final ($105,000; Mohawk) together with seconds in Metro Final (Control The Moment), Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) Gold Leg and third in the USA Breeders Crown (Boston Red Rocks)

At three in 2016 : winner of fourteen consecutive races including four Canadian/USA Group One victories –

heat (Gp3) and final Little Brown Jug ($577,000; Delaware, Ohio; world record 3yo colts on 1/2 mile track – 1:49.0US); elimination (Gp3) and final North America Cup ($1m; Mohawk; equalling track, stakes and Canadian world record of 1:47.4US, last quarter in 25.4 seconds); Battle of Brandywine ($500,000; Pocono Downs; world record 3yo colts on 5/8th mile track – 1:47.2US) and Carl Milstien Memorial ($300,000; Northfield Park)

Group Two victories – Ontario Stakes Gold Super Final ($250,000) and Simcoe Stakes ($157,000) both at Mohawk

Group Three victories - Somebeachsomewhere Stakes ($75,000; Mohawk) and four legs of OSS Gold ($105,000; three at Mohawk; Georgia Downs)

2016 Awards – Betting Line was winner of :

• Canadian O’Brien Awards for 3yo Colt or Gelding Pacer and All Age Harness Horse of Year
• USA Dan Patch 3yo Pacing Colt or Gelding of Year
• Fastest North American 3yo Pacer of Year (1:47.2US)

Trained by the outstanding Casie Coleman (trainer of McWicked, American Ideal, Sportswriter, Betterthancheddar), Betting Line had to be retired after being scratched from his 3yo Breeders Crown elimination after suffering two serious spider bites on one of his shoulders.

Betting Line was bred by Fair Winds Farm Inc., Cream Ridge, New Jersey; Ontario, Canada owner’s Ross Warriner, Burlington; Casie Coleman, Cambridge; Christine Calhoun, Chatham and Mac Nichol, Burlington. Hanover Shoe Farms announced his stud fee for 2020 had been set at US$10,000.

Sire Bettors Delight requires no introduction – simply the leading pacing sire world-wide over past decade – Australia/New Zealand last eight seasons and in USA for six of last nine years. His combined world-wide earnings are well north of $300m. This is the Cam Fella/Meadow Skipper back to Electioneer paternal line.

Dam Heathers Western (Western Hanover/Santastic), 1:53.0US, $173,102; dam of ten foals, all raced for nine 1:55 winners, two in 1:50, six $100k earners including Betting Line, Full Picture (1:51.0US, $581,876), All Or None (1:50.0US, $225,053), JK Molly (1:52.1US, $176,872).

Grand dam Santastic (Camtastic/Marfa Newton), 1:54.3US, $179,206; dam of thirteen foals from multiple leading sires, twelve raced for eleven winners, six in 1:55, one in 1:50, four $100k earners including Heathers Western and Santastics Pan (1:49.3US, $594,925, Smullin Memorial – 2c, Gp1).

Third dam Mafra Newton (Big Towner/Miss Bullet), 1:58.1US, $24,525, dam of thirteen foals, eleven raced, all winners, seven in 1:55, four $100k earners including Santastic and Western Wonder (1:51.1US, $228,403; dam of Nebupanezzar, q1:51.1US, $949,072, USA Governors Cup and The Mohegan Pan, 1:49.2US, $817,442).

Betting Line is part of the leading North American family Medio (U1). There are numerous examples of successful Medio family horses (pacers/trotters) in Australasia since late 1970’s starting out with sire Berry Hanover in New Zealand – sires Chiola Hanover, Armbro Operative, Western Terror, Artsplace and racehorses such as Speeding Spur, Sushi Sushi, Sundons Luck, Royal Aspirations trace to Medio.

Of twenty seven registered Betting Line yearling foals in NZ and one hundred and fifty three  in Australia (1 November 2019), one third of these foals trace to the following five broodmare sires : 9% are from Christian Cullen mares, Mach Three (8%), Art Major (7%), Falcon Seelster and Village Jasper (5%).

There are six Betting Line yearlings in the Perth APG sale :

A. filly from unraced Stars Aligned (lot 427), Four Starzz Shiraz mare out of Poised N Perfect (Christian Cullen). Stars Aligned is the dam of five foals to date, two to race for one race winner, Star Of Bethany,  Albany, WA, 2:03.9, $16,640). Non-winning grand dam pacer in NZ and Australia Poised N Perfect, $4,461, dam of six foals, no winners and grand dam of Poisedtopounce, 1:54.1, $44,723, APG Championship (ex consolation) – 2 at Gloucester Park.

Third dam Spirit Of Beth, winner, dam of Victory Spirit (1:53.0US, $242,808, Northern Country Cups Championship) and twice NZ Pacing Broodmare of Year Bethany, unraced dam of modern day champion pacer Lazarus, 1:48.4, $4,125,988, thirty seven NZ/AUS/NA wins (28 Group races), twelve placings from fifty one starts – twice NZ Cup winner, ID Pacing Final, Jewels Emerald – 2, NZSS – 3, NZ/GN/VIC Derbies, Chariots Of Fire, Taylor Mile, Messenger, NZFFA, Victoria/Hunter Cups, Dan Patch Invitational; ANZ Grand Circuit champion; Australian/NZ Pacer and Harness Horse of Year.

Fourth dam is another NZ Broodmare of Year Tabella Beth, 1:55.3US, $91,466; dam of Spirit Of Zeus (NZSS/NZYSS – 3) and outstanding number of fillies whose descendants include group performers Light And Sound, Stars And Stripes, Star Galleria, Self Assured.

This is the family of Mona R (U307) which apart from those already mentioned includes Melpark Maid, Our Crown Law, Cruisin Around.

B. colt from Generally Outspoken (lot 352), Mach Three mare bred in NZ out of Return To Gold (Armbro Operative). Generally Outspoken, p2 1:59.4, $69,668, WA Gold Bracelet – 2f, dam of two unraced foals, this colt being the second. His four race NZ winning grand dam Return To Gold (1:57.5), is dam of a leading two year old filly in 2018/9 NZ season in Spellbound, three wins, 1:58,2, $83,628, Leonard Memorial/Caduceus Club Southland, second Jewels Diamond – all 2f; third Caduceus Club Stakes- 3f.

Unraced third dam NZ bred Turn To Gold, dam of nine winners of fifty six races from twelve foals. Fourth dam Our Stretto, winner of thirty five AUS races, 1:55.0TT, $168,028, VIC/QLD Oaks heats, NSW Ladyship Mile/Mares Championship, VIC Ladyship Cup; dam of six foals, three winners including Hei Heir, thirteen wins, 1:57.6, $126,331.

This is the New Zealand family of Miss Kate (N12) notable for two time NZ Cup winner Haughty, The Court Owl, Shakamaker, Destreos, Royal Cee Cee.

C. colt from Glenferrie Clan (lot 355), unraced Rock N Roll Heaven mare out of non-winning North American mare Kiwi Rose (Western Hanover), dam of three winners from four foals including Maretai (1:52.3, $162,030, TAS Derby). His grand dam is multiple Australian group race winner Tupelo Rose – thirty five wins (12 NZ, 12 AUS, 11 NA), 1:51.2US, $879,867, Caduceus Club – 2f, NZ Championship – 2, Nevele R Fillies – 3f, NZ/VIC/AUS/QLD Oaks, Messenger; dam of Capelo Rose, non-winner, dam of seven sub 1:54 pacers, one under 1:50 and Willy Mucha, 1:50.2, $390,400, thirty two victories.

This is the North American family of Fanny Fern (U302) notable lately for speedy pacers Let It Ride and Yayas Hot Spot and earlier this century Safe And Sound, Tupelo Rose.

D. colt from Hunter Victoria (lot 363), race winning Christian Cullen mare in NZ and Australia, out of Magnificent Yield (Butler BG). Hunter Victoria, 1:58.2, $11,953, dam of two unraced foals, this being her second. Non-winning grand dam Magnificent Yield, time trialled in 1:58.4TT, dam of five winners and two time triallists. His third dam is the winning US bred Niatross mare Steady Niatross (dam of Spirit Of Niatross who left Fremantle Cup winner Christian Spirit) from outstanding NZ mare Steady Lady, nine NZ/fourteen NA wins, 1:55.2US, $206,281

This is the NZ family of Topsy (N7) of which recent millionaire Soho Tribeca, outstanding mare Carlas Pixel, Villagem, Restrepo, Pembrook Benny, Group One trotter Massive Metro all belong.

E. filly from Promising Gift (lot 401), a Bright As Day mare out of Hogans Helga (Dar Kommissar). Promising Gift, six wins, 2:02.7, $25,812, dam of five winners from six starters including Say It Now, twenty wins, 1:55.4, $264,664. Fourth dam NZ mare Heather Frost, dam of champion Preux Chevalier, bred by Roy Adams, forty one wins including one in NZ (NZFFA), WA Pacing/Winfield/Hunter/Harold Park Cups, ID Pacing Grand Final, Miracle Mile, QLD Pacing Championship, 1:54.3, $791,331.

This is the NZ family of Bessie B (N2), latterly includes millionaires Terror To Love,  Beaudiene Boaz, Lombo pocket Watch and speedy Suave Stuey Lombo.

 F. filly from Chemical Romance (lot 466), non-winning Northern Luck mare from Ferrari Trunkey (Tarcoola      Frost). Sixth live foal with three winners from four starters including Bettor Reward, 1:52.7, $243,565, Westbred Classic – 3c. Grand dam Ferrari Trunkey, WA Oaks winner of twenty two of thirty nine WA starts, 1:56.6, $267,527 is dam of eight winners (sixteen foals, twelve starters, three in two minutes) including first foal and WA Derby winner Trunkey Maseratti, nineteen WA and four NA wins, 1:56.4, $261,194.

This is the leading NZ family of Pride Of Lincoln (N1), Winterfell, More The Better, Menin Gate, Stig back to Christian Cullen in recent years.

The final twenty Betting Line yearlings to be sold through 2020 APG Sales go under the hammer in Sydney on Sunday 8 March, 

We will have online and telephone bidding options available if you are unable to attend. If you have any issues with the online registrations, John Coffey has personally inspected all of the Perth yearlings and will be pleased to answer any questions that you may have on the individuals featuring in the sale, or to bid on your behalf.  John can be contacted on 0418 500 211.

Please phone Louise Toulmin on 0400 950 699 or e-mail her at louiset@apgold.com.au and she’ll be pleased to assist you with your pre-sale bidding approvals or to answer any other questions that you may have.

Sale commences Sunday,1 March 2020 at 1pm, Magic Millions Sales Complex, 2/56 Dale Road, Middle Swan, WA, 6056