23 January 2024 | APGold
[ADVERTISED CONTENT]Woodford breeder Wayne Comerford has refined his breeding operation over two decades to produce well handled, athletic youngsters that are ready for the rigours of racing.
He made a foray into harness racing when he bought Life Sign mare Oh So Hippe five years ago and tasted immediate success when her first foal Hipstar (1.54.6, $112K) hit the racetrack. Hipstar was a good two-year-old winner and finished third in the QBred 2YO colts Triad final. The Auckland Reactor gelding went on to win 15 races.
He also has 10 thoroughbred broodmares mares on his 40-acre property and sold three yearlings at the Magic Millions Gold Coast sale this month. He will offer two youngsters in the APG Gold Coast Yearling Sale on January 28 and is also preparing a colt for champion 1970s and 80s trainer-reinsman Wayne Honan.
“We breed to sell, not to race, and temperament and correct feeding is very important,” Comerford said. “We handle them from an early age – start trimming their feet at four weeks and get them leading alongside mum. They are up to their knees in green feed here but we also feed them quality supplements to ensure they are well grown and athletic, with clean joints”.
Comerford said his first offering in the sale (Lot 39), a colt by Bling It On from outstanding broodmare Indigenous Art was not a big yearling but had a powerhouse body and was an impressive type.
Indigenous Art (by Art Major) has already produced five winners, including NSW Golden Mile winner Jimmy Locke (1.50.1, $284K). She is a half sister to The Grouse (1.55.4, $188K).
Comerford’s filly (Lot 62), by super sire Art Major from Oh So Hippe, is a half-sister Hipstar and six-time winner Grigora. She is from the family of Aust 3YO filly of the year Mother Courage (1.56.9, $462K) and Aust 2YO filly of the year Tandias Courage (1.53.6, $305K).
“The filly is my favourite. She is an outstanding looking youngster,” Comerford said. “Wayne Honan’s colt is a first foal, but he is a flashy type and looks the part.”
Honan, son of legendary harness breeder Jack Honan, had great training success in Australia in the 1970s and 80s with the likes of Interdominion placegetter Ardstraw, Qld Championship winner Music Teacher and the brilliant but injury plagued youngster My Glengower.
His sale colt (Lot 34) is by American Ideal from Hughies Sister (1.56.8, $38K), a full sister to Hughie Green (1.53.9, $261K), Hughie Junior (1.51.1, $179K).
The colt’s granddam is two-time NZ aged pacing mare of the year Alta Serena (1.56.6, $593K), who took out the QBred fillies Triad final as a two-year-old and went on to outstanding grand circuit success.
She won the 2005 NZ Easter Cup and finished second in the NZ Cup and the Auckland Cup. She left five winners.
For full details and catalogued yearlings in the 2024 Australian Pacing Gold Yearling Sales please visit our Online Sales Catalogue or Register as a Buyer now.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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