Bold Sale Move Turns Into Group One Result

Dylan and Jo Ferguson went to last year’s NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale with a bold plan to buy a couple of high-priced trotters, and that move turned into a Group One result at Alexandra Park last Friday.

Bold Eagle colt Apollo Eleven (NZ) (Bold Eagle) was one of their top picks and they went to $90,000 to secure him out of Breckon Farm’s draft, with the Waikato standardbred nursery retaining a share in the well-bred youngster.

Out of Group One winner Tickle Me Pink (NZ) (Muscle Hill), who is a full-sister to Group One winner Luby Lou, Apollo Eleven had shown his handlers plenty early on and he transferred that to immediate raceday success when winning his first two starts.

He subsequently placed behind fellow NZB Standardbred graduate Duke Of Bourbon (NZ) (Face Time Bourbon) last month before turning the tables on the Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan-trained colt in last Friday’s Group One Easton Light Classic (1700m).

He was driven by Peter Ferguson, the father and father-in-law of Dylan and Jo respectively, who was proud to get the result for the pair.

“They have just done an amazing job with these two horses (fellow NZB Standardbred purchase Ellie Diamond, who finished fourth),” Peter Ferguson said.

“Like with all young horses, things don’t always go to plan, which they didn’t last month, but we have had those two weeks to pick him up and it has just been amazing.

“He is a real pro and the filly (Ellie Diamond) is not far behind him. He has just got it all there and he is just a pleasure to have around the place.”

Ellie Diamond (NZ) (Bold Eagle) was the Fergusons other purchase, and they went to $60,000 to purchase her out of Breckon Farm’s draft.

While still a maiden, she has also shown plenty of ability to date, placing in two of her three starts.