10 January 2019 | John Coffey
The Annual Australian Yearling Sales are about to commence and Sunday 27th January will see the first of them – The APG Brisbane Sale at Albion Park.
Queensland breeders Lindsay and Mary Vagg have been churning out winner after winner from their Southbrook property and this year they offer a beautiful draft of five Yearlings – 2 Colts and 3 Fillies.
Significantly they are all sired by stallions who are either Sons or Grandsons of the great Western Ideal , who has just been retired from Stud duties by Hanover Farm.
Western Ideal , whose dam Leah Almahurst was a millionaire on the racetrack , has sired the winners of over $125 million. He is now becoming a well recognized Sire of Sires with sons such as Rocknroll Hanover , American Ideal , Always A Virgin and to a lesser degree Big Jim featuring prominently on Leading Sires Lists in both Hemispheres.
“ I think the Western Ideal sireline will carry us into success in breeding over the next few years “ said Lindsay recently when discussing his draft. “ And those who have Cams Card Shark on their dams side , such as Heston Blue Chip and A Rocknroll Dance should be well suited to the Australian bred mares “.
“ Artspeak is the equal fastest son of Western Ideal and was a USTA Two Year Old of the Year so I was keen to breed two of my mares to him also. “
“ The two Artspeak yearlings are very , very athletic looking horses – one from an Art Major mare and one from a Bettors Delight mare , so I would expect both of them to be ready made two year olds. “
Lindsay’s opening Lot is a Heston Blue Chip colt and a half brother to the Menangle flying machine Better Bet Black. This speedster won 29 races and took a record of 1.51.6 but he was responsible for so many of the fastest miles clocked on the Menangle surface with his ability to fly the gate and peel of a 25 to 26 second opening quarter.
“ This guy is a better type than Better Bet Black and has a glorious temperament . “ said Lindsay
Lot 22 is a big strong and lovely filly by A Rocknroll Dance from a Modern Art mare.
“ I bred this filly purposely this way to get the 3 x 4 cross to the mare Wendymae Hanover , who of course is the dam of Western Hanover “ said Lindsay when discussing this filly.
This Lot 22 is bred on the same cross as the exciting 2 year old from last season Whereyabinboppin.
Lot 34 , a colt by Heston Blue Chip from Our Sweet Victree also has a double cross of a highly influential mare – in this instance Three Diamonds , who was the “ darling “ of the USA racetracks in the early 1980’s.
Lindsay and Mary Vagg hav a track record of breeding outstanding horses , particularly Colts and Fillies who earn serious money in their Two and Three year old seasons.
You cannot help think that the Vagg’s are on the right track with their choice of the Western Ideal sireline Stallions. For potential purchasers you have rock solid foundations to build your “ castle “ on.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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