Ray and Ann Grubb have stepped back from the heady days when they took 20 yearlings to the Sydney sale and managed a busy harness racing stud. But they still enjoy the thrill of sales day and breed a couple of quality youngsters each year to put through the ring.
Their breeding operation was at the forefront of standardbred breeding in NSW in the 1970s and 80s.
They imported the first son of Meadow Skipper to Australia. Black Tie went on to sire 112 winners of more the $2.2 million in stakes.
His daughters produced winners of almost $2 million in prizemoney.
The Grubbs also won the NSW and Australian broodmare of the year award with Sexy Lexy Whitby.
They have put hundreds of yearlings through the sales, including Australian Pacing Cup winner Ima Spicey Lombo (1.55.1, $483K) and tough Tasmanian free-for-all pacer Fleet Express (1,58, $347K).
They also bred Interdominion heat winner Scientific (1.55, $173K) and his full sister, Never There (1.59.4, $122K), who won the two and three-year-old legs of the Sires Stakes at Harold Park. She won 13 races from just 24 starts.
This year the Grubbs’ breeding operation Sutton Lodge will offer two youngsters at the 2025 APG Yearling Sale on February 16.
Their first yearling (Lot 202) will be the second youngster into the ring and it is likely buyers will be ready for some early fireworks.
He is a full brother to Group 2 winning 2YO Ever Hoping (1.50.8, $241K) by boom sire Always B Miki from smart mare Bettor Believe It (1.53.8, $139K).
Ever Hoping won 12 races in Australia – three as a 2YO and five at 3 – before being exported to the US, where he has continued his winning ways.
Bettor Believe is a half sister to tough free-for-all campaigner Fleet Express (1.58, $347K)
This cross, Always B Miki over a Bettors Delight mare, has already produced 32 winners in Australia, including WA Oaks winner Taking The Miki (1.54, $382K), Queen Elizabeth Stakes placegetter Illavabubbles (1.49.7, $238K) and Breeder Challenge final winner Golly Gee Fellas (1.50.5, $121K).
Sutton Lodge’s second yearling (Lot 247) is a colt by triple Miracle Mile winner King Of Swing from Rise To The Top, a daughter of Australian broodmare of the year Sexy Lexy Whitby and a half sister to star mare Ima Spicey Lombo.
The colt is a half brother to 2YO Australian Gold Bullion placegetter Rise Above All (1.54.6, $32K).
This is the family of star colts - WA Golden Slipper winner Ace Of Whitby (1.58.8, $317K) and Interdominion contender Whitby Timer (1.56.9, $314K).
For full details of these or any other yearlings in the 2025 Sydney Yearling Sale please visit APG’s Online Sales Catalogue or Register as a Buyer today!
