Timely Win Ahead Of Online Weanling Sale

Iron Brigade (NZ) (Art Major) scored a timely win for breeder Alabar in last Friday’s Listed Betavet ‘Uncut Gems Gelding & Entires Classic (1980m) at Addington Raceway, with the Auckland farm offering his full-sister through their NZB Standardbred National Online Weanling Sale draft on standardbred.gavelhouse.com this week.

The pair hail from a strong pedigree, being out of Group One performer Trigirl Brigade (NZ) (Mach Three), who is proving to be a prolific producer, with her progeny including Group One performer Classie Brigade (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) and Group Three performer Triroyale Brigade (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), and several other black-type performers.

Iron Brigade was offered through Alabar’s 2022 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale draft at Karaka where he was purchased by Stonewall Stud for $67,500.

Trained by Steve and Amanda Telfer, Iron Brigade has been a solid performer on the track, with last Friday’s win bringing his career tally to nine wins and 15 placings from 44 starts, with earnings north of $152,000.

It was his first victory at stakes level and driver Tim Williams was pleased to get the result for his connections.

“He relaxed nicely and we didn’t have to do too much early, just lobbed in a nice spot and it worked out really well,” Williams said. “Once we hit the 1000m he picked up the bridle up and we got a dream run around the bend.

“He has really thrived and he is enjoying his racing.” 

With a stakes victory now under his belt, Iron Bridge will return to Addington Raceway this Friday in a bid to double his stakes tally in the Listed Hydroflow NZ Country Championship Final (3200m).

“He will be back here for the Country Cups, that is his last target,” Williams said. “It is a great stake and it will be a great field again. In the form he is in he deserves his spot.”

Iron Brigade’s weanling full-sister is currently being offered as Lot 16 on standardbred.gavelhouse.com, with the sale now live, and bidding will close from 6pm on Wednesday, 20 May. 

All weanlings purchased 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 $1 million prize pool.