Allenby Lodge Stud, which was founded by the legendary studmaster Bob Norman in 1952, has been an integral part of the Australian breeding scene for more than seven decades.
And, while the Kapunda nursery may not be enjoying the same hype as yesteryear, it nonetheless is playing an important role in the resurgence of harness racing in South Australia.
“We are still pushing out the winners. We are breeding them to win races and not ribbons,” studmaster Steve Norman said.
The Southern Cross and Sires Produce winner Bay Jim Major, the Sapling Stakes winner Star Man and Secret Lady are but a small sample of the quality of horseflesh emanating from Allenby Lodge.
“They were all from the same sale. They were the only three we offered at the sale and they all won and two are high quality winners,” Steve stated.
Allenby Lodge is preparing three fillies and a colt for the Australian Pacing Gold Adelaide Yearling Sale at Gawler on Sunday, March 29.
They are all by the Art Major horse Major Secret, the resident stallion at Allenby Lodge and the leading sire of three-year-olds in SA last year.
The NSW Derby and Vicbred champion has sired 12 winners from 19 starters to date including Star Man, Bay Jim Major, Majorholenmypocket and the smart mare Starlight Sass, who won three on end at the NSW provincials last month.
Lot 513 is a filly out of the 12-win Somebeachsomewhere mare Blue Beach Angel, whose dam, Blue Confession, is a half-sister to the Geelong Cup winner Antigua Bay and the Vicbred Super Series winner Marbles.
“She’s a big, strong filly who is from a strong ‘black type’ family,” Norman said.
Norman expects the colt out of the former handy racemare Closure, Lot 515, will have plenty of admirers.
“He’s a big, rangy type,” Steve said.
The colt is a half-brother to the Kindergarten and Sapling Stakes winner Rupert Ross and to the dam of the Southern Stars Series placegetter Oaklander.
Lot 503 ranks as a sister to the SA Sapling Stakes and Silver Salver winner and Kindergarten Stakes and Lordship Stakes placegetter Star Man.
“She’s in the same mould as her brother,” Steve said.
Norman is also preparing a well bred filly by Major Secret for stud clients Shane and Michelle Collins.
Listed as Lot 506, the strongly built youngster is out of the 13-win mare Our Burning Desire NZ, the dam of three sub 1:57 winners from four foals to race. They include the WA cup class pacer Gee Smith ($238,000), the Vicbred 2YO Silver winner The Huntress ($144,000), now competing successfully in North America, and the Melton and Albion Park winner Shevchenko.
“Her three-year-old full brother is also showing a lot of promise,” Steve said.
For further details of these or any other lots in the Adelaide Yearling Sale then please check out the Online Catalogue or Register as a Buyer today!
