Powerhouse Pacing Sires Represented in Weanling Catalogue

Pacing sensations and stallions on the rise line the catalogue confirmed for the 2024 NZB Standardbred National Weanling Sale at Auckland on May 23.

Champion producers Bettor’s Delight (USA) and Art Major (USA) are set to add to their incredible legacies in the Karaka sales ring, with strong drafts from the two super stallions among the 108 lots to be offered.

With Always B Miki (USA), American Ideal (USA), Bettor's Wish (USA), Captaintreacherous (USA), Captain Crunch (USA), Downbytheseaside (USA), Lazarus, Rock N Roll Heaven (USA) and Sweet Lou (USA), also strongly represented, bloodstock investors will be spoilt for choice with the array of siring genetics on offer at the National Weanling Sale.

 

Bettor’s Delight (USA)

Eight quality youngsters will be offered by arguably the most impactful sire in Australasian standardbred history. Having conquered both hemispheres and the siring world, Bettor’s Delight needs to introduction to bloodstock investors or any harness racing enthusiast.  NZB Standardbred graduates Don’t Stop Dreaming (NZ), Akuta (NZ), and Sooner The Bettor (NZ) are among the latest in a wave of stars the champion sire has produced.

Few sires offer investors the confidence Bettor’s Delight has in the past two decades. Buyers can again take advantage of that when two colts and six fillies are offered by the king of the sales ring at the National Weanling Sale.

• Lot 10 is a Bettor’s Delight colt who is a full brother to the well-performed Italian Lad (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) and from the family of Group One winning mare Amore Vita (NZ) (Art Major).
• Lot 61 is a filly from the multiple stakes race-winning mare Precious Rose (NZ) (Falcon Seelster),
• While Lot 72 is a colt from the family of smart performers Cosmic Major (NZ) (Art Major) and Roselski (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).

 

Art Major (USA)

Though he has been a star throughout his career, Art Major only seems to get more powerful with age. The brilliant producer has just completed an outstanding season, ranking the top money-earning sire of both two-year-olds and three-year-olds in New Zealand. NZB Standardbred graduate Merlin (NZ) (Art Major) is the latest in a long line of brilliant pacers produced by the evergreen sire.

Art Major will be represented by 11 youngsters at the upcoming sale. 

• Lot 7 is an Art Major colt closely related to outstanding stakes performers Trigirl Brigade (NZ) (Mach Three) and Classie Brigade (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight)
• Lot 67 is a filly from the family of outstanding racehorse turned sire Sky Major (NZ) (Art Major),
•  Lot 89 is another colt from a strong black-type family that has produced the outstanding performer Hail Christian (NZ) (Christian Cullen).

 

Always B Miki (USA)

A world record setter on the track, Always B Miki has made an outstanding mark in the breeding barn with his four crops of racing age. Two of the sire’s sons who have passed through the NZB Standardbred sales ring previously have stood above their age-group rivals to win at Group One level this season. 

Three-year-old Cold Chisel (NZ) has produced brilliant form through 2024 which culminated in his outstanding win in the Group One Northern Derby (2700m) at Alexandra Park. Two-year-old Rubira has burst on the scene, remaining unbeaten with his excellent win in the Group One Diamond Creek Farm Classic (2200m) at Ascot Park.

 

• Lot 15 is an Always B Miki filly from the family of outstanding racemares Elle Mac (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) and Allamericanlover (NZ) (American Ideal).
• Lot 54 is closely related to the multiple Group One winner The Orange Agent (NZ) (American Ideal).
• Lot 71, a filly from the family of star pacers Star Galleria (NZ) (Art Major) and Self Assured (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).
• Lot 73 is an Always B Miki colt from the family of champion racehorse turned sire Changeover (NZ) (In The Pocket).
   

American Ideal (USA)

American Ideal made an incredible impact on both Northern and Southern Hemisphere before his passing earlier this year. In New Zealand, the sire’s champion son Copy That (NZ) made an epic journey to being a two-time New Zealand Cup winner after being sold at Karaka as a weanling for a modest price. Group One winners Allamericanlover (NZ), Bling It On (AUS) and Soho Tribeca (AUS) are among the stars of the sport American Ideal has produced.

The stallion’s siring legacy is set to continue following his passing with four weanlings from his youngest crop to be offered at the National Weanling Sale.

• Lot 81 is a filly closely related to the multiple Group One winning star Copy That (NZ) (American Ideal).
• Lot 100 is a colt from the family of the multiple Group One placegetter Kahlua Flybye (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).

 

Captain Crunch (USA)

After establishing himself as an outstanding racehorse, Captain Crunch has burst onto the siring scene in both North America and Australasia. Captain Crunch’s stock has been in hot demand at both the 2023 and 2024 National Yearling Sales, with the National Weanling Sale set to offer strong pin hooking opportunities. A quality lineup of 11 youngsters by Captain Crunch will be offered in the Karaka sales ring.

The stallion’s first crop of two-year-olds has only recently hit the track, with talented types Ukraine (NZ) (Captain Crunch), Captainshavtime (NZ) (Captain Crunch), Spicey Crunch (NZ) (Captain Crunch) and Allets (NZ) (Captain Crunch) already showing real promise.

• Offered in the sale is Lot 38, a filly from the family of the brilliant performer Auckland Reactor (NZ) (Mach Three).
• Lot 46, a filly from the two-time New Zealand Cup-winning star Monkey King (NZ) (Sands A Flyin).
•  Lot 62 is a filly from the family of two outstanding race mares in Nearea Franco (NZ) (Badlands Hanover) and Nike Franco (NZ) (McArdle).

 

All weanlings purchased at the 2024 National Weanling Sale at Karaka are eligible to be entered for NZB Standardbred’s lucrative Harness Million Sales Race Series. The Series consists of principal two-year-old and three-year-old races for colts and geldings, fillies and trotters individually, where NZB Standardbred graduates can contest for their share in a one-million-dollar prize pool. 

View the full catalogue and highlights on www.nzbstandardbred.co.nz. Selling takes place at the Karaka Sales Centre from 12pm (NZT) on Thursday 23 May. 

For more information about the Sale contact NZB Standardbred Manager Cam Bray by calling +64 21 737 199 or email [email protected].