Sales Topper

For those looking to find the next life changing harness racing star (from the sale many people believe offers a greater chance of this than any other), APG Melbourne 2021 is the place to be this Sunday.

There is a massive $600,000 of local prize money on offer for just 56 colts and 45 fillies (pacing lots). It’s important to note that the fillies have their own race series separate to the colts, so the opportunities for VIC investors in Harness Racing right now has never been better for both sexes.  We’re encouraging everyone to please come and celebrate the wonderful possibilities this amazing event will bring to so many who love the sport of harness racing.

The catalogue features youngsters by an impressive line-up of progeny from some of the sport’s most exciting stallions showcasing exceptional representation from the “Big Ten”:

Always A  Miki

Lots 204,241,258,290

American Ideal

Lots 209,243,243,246,288

Art Major

Lots 226,234,242,271,275,292,293

Betting Line

Lots 205,220,222,227,280

Bettors Delight

Lots 208,216,219,251,254,267,285,296

Captaintreacherous

Lots 201,206,212,229,255,257,264,278,301

Downbytheseaside

Lots 203,274,295

Huntsville

Lots 215,218,221,230,250,256

Rock N Roll Heaven

Lots 207,211,214,224,247,259,261,266,268,272

Sweet Lou

Lots 232,240,245,248,265,273,283,300

Lot 251 Bettors Delight – Rockin Tammy – Rocknroll Hanover

Lot 254 Bettor’s Delight – Sparkling Tachyon – Mach Three

Bettor’s Delight is being promoted as “ harness racing’s relentless juggernaut in the breeding shed”. No stallion has cast a bigger shadow over the breeding scene like Bettor’s Delight. Age has not diminished his influence on the race track and in the breeding barn as his progeny continue to break records . This is hard to dispute. What’s also very interesting here with this lot is that while Rocknroll Hanover has just started his broodmare siring career, the effect that the Blood of Bettor’s (& with one Roll With Joe exampled in the table below) is extraordinary. 5 out of the Top 10 broodmare credits, Rocknroll Hanover has as a broodmare sire are the same as this cross - just like Lot 251.

Just as incredible is that Rocknroll Hanover’s other top 10 credits (including his top 3) are from Volomite Line stallions through Direct Scooter. The best out of a Mach Three mare, just like Lot 254.

Lot 255 Captaintreacherous – Soho Bordeaux – Western Terror

Lot 257 Captaintreacherous – Spirit Of Fun – McArdle

In 2012, two-year-old Captaintreacherous won 8 of his 10 starts and collected $918,253 in prize money. Victories included the Metro Pace, Woodrow Wilson and Nassagaweya. The leading money winning two-year-old Standardbred of 2012 was voted Dan Patch Pacer of the Year and Dan Patch and O’Brien Two-Year-Old Pacing Colt of the Year.

As a three-year-old, Captaintreacherous earned $2,055,033 while winning 13 of 16 starts including the Breeders Crown, North America Cup, Meadowlands Pace, Hempt Memorial, Cane Pace, American-National, Tattersalls Pace and the Bluegrass. He was voted 2013 Dan Patch Pacer of the Year and Three-Year-Old Pacing Colt of the Year. Captaintreacherous was the leading moneywinning Standardbred of 2013.

There is no hotter stallion in the sport of Harness Racing right now than Captaintreacherous. His 2YO & 3YO’s had an outstanding year in North America and he won “the leading money winning sire for 3YO’s”  by the length of the straight (and a margin more than $1.7 million over the 2ndplaced sire). While Captaintreacherous’ best earner so far has been Captain Crunch, (a colt now at stud), the table below highlights how well his Volomite line has done over Western Terror mares.

The table also lists the half-brother of Lot 255, Soho Burning Love, a winner of $428,373 who just happen to set the “Fastest Mark For Australian Bred Pacer “ of 1:48.1 on the 4/7/2020.

Persimmon another half-brother to Lot 255, again is breed on the Volomite line through Direct Scooter, is also doing a great job in North America winning in 1.49.8 and with career earnings closing in on 200k. The dam of this very exciting Lot 255 (some say has the potential to top the sale) is from the remarkable N2 Family, and other outstanding horses with this blood are:

The McArdle sired dam of Lot 257 is Spirit Of Fun this spectacular looking mare that has done the hard yards with all three of her first foals (2 by Mr Feelgood & Hurrikane Kingcole) yet they have all smashed the 1:58 mark.  Spirit Of Fun (Dam of Lot 257) is from the N31 family and again its almost inconceivable to think that 2 of this family’s top 4 are by a Volomite Line stallion through Direct Scooter.

Lot 257 was bred by Gosford breeder, owner and benefactor Michael Taylor who is a very successful breeder that just loves all things “Harness Racing”.  He told us “while I’ve bred 11 Breeders Crown finalists and it’s a record I’m pretty proud of, I just believe this crop is by far the strongest I’ve ever bred. With over $600,000 in local Victorian prize money on offer, it’s going to be a very exciting weekend”. Taylor said. As a breeder Michael was very prominent in Brisbane last weekend selling his fillies, (Lot 3 for $40,000 and Lot 5 for $16,000). Michael went on to say “ my reserves/expectations for both lots were a little higher than what both lots made last week, however I want people to know if you invest the time to look at my well bred horses, I will meet the market where I can”.

Lot 258 Always B Miki – Tamara Hall – Real Desire

Always B Miki has the heart of a champion. He has proven this time and time again, whether it be setting a world record during the Allerage Pace, or in his fierce showdown in the 2016 Breeders Crown to capture his second consecutive title. His fierce determination has led to his success on the track, even after suffering a potentially career-ending injury – and despite that, 3-year-old year Always B Miki could not be stopped.

He recovered and came back even stronger, with wins in the Breeders Crown, the Haughton Memorial, the Gold Cup, and the Ben Franklin, among many others - landing on the board an impressive 45 times.  His grit and speed are second to none, and he will surely be a force to be reckoned with in the stud barn.

With 2 of Always B Miki’s best 7 coming from mares sired by the Adios line sires through Abercrombie (just like the $730,271 winning dam of Lot 258) we expect this filly to have some serious inspections this weekend. Real Desire, the broodmare mare sire in play here has a clear liking to Meadow Skipper line stallions (through Western Hanover as is Always B Miki) with an astonishing 9 out of his top 11 broodmare credits having been bred this way.

Please note, we will have online and telephone bidding options available if you are unable to attend. John Coffey has been inspecting all of the Melbourne yearlings and will be pleased to answer any questions that you may have on the individuals featuring in the sale this Sunday, or to bid on your behalf.  John can be contacted on 0418 500 211.

It’s also important to note that the Sale follows APTS.

Please phone Kathleen Harris - 0429 066 663 or e-mail her at  kathleen@apgold.com.au and she’ll be pleased to assist you with your online registrations, pre-sale bidding approvals or to answer any other questions that you may have on your travel and accommodation needs.