AWARD WINNING STANDARDBRED AUTHORITY
When I think about a person that’s a true inspiration with real authority, respect with extensive or specialised knowledge about a breeding standardbred horses, one name comes to mind.
Former University of Perth Professor Ron Groves.
In late 2009, Ron Groves, released his first e book “The American Standardbred” (his second e book was The Australian and New Zealand Trotter and Pacer). The book traced the history of sire lines and maternal families. In 2012 it won Best Book in the Harness Racing Australia Joseph Coulter Media Awards. Ron Groves conceived and developed the international harness racing database “Classic Families” (CF) and its maternal family numbering system (details of team behind CF are found under Help/About tab).
Both books provide an historical analysis of the rise and demise of sire lines and maternal families that have created contemporary champions of both gaits in respective regions. The books set out to measure success in the standardbred.
Speed and earnings have been the normal measures used for comparing performances but this is inconclusive when judged over differing time periods. The measure of a champion is to win races against the best competitors of their era. Ron Groves describes this as :
“The very best of the champions are those that consistently beat their contemporaries as two and three year olds then continue to do so throughout their racing careers. These are the horses that refuse to be beaten and dig deep under all conditions. The champion standardbred sires and maternal families are those that consistently produce such horses. So how can race success as well as speed record and earnings be compared?”
Ron along with his long time friends at Sea Horse Racing Stables have engaged the services of Lisa Adams to prepare Lot 160, an Always B Miki colt out the amazing U20 family. Other family members include:
| Real Desire | 1998 | M | U20 | $3,159,814 |
| Riyadh | 1990 | M | U20 | $2,763,527 |
| Rocknroll Hanover | 2002 | M | U20 | $2,754,038 |
| Four Starzzz Shark | 1998 | M | U20 | $2,537,267 |
| Bettors Edge | 2009 | G | U20 | $2,202,327 |
| Royalflush Hanover | 1996 | G | U20 | $2,153,893 |
| Grinfromeartoear | 1996 | M | U20 | $1,746,009 |
| Jimmy Freight | 2015 | M | U20 | $1,636,816 |
| Badlands Nitro | 2005 | M | U20 | $1,597,638 |
| Tell All | 2004 | M | U20 | $1,509,227 |
| Catch The Fire | 2017 | M | U20 | $1,494,434 |
| American History | 2015 | M | U20 | $1,441,634 |
| Image of Dawn | 1999 | M | U20 | $1,248,536 |
| Armbro Proposal | 1994 | M | U20 | $1,185,664 |
| Bettors Up | 2014 | F | U20 | $1,073,702 |
| Vegas Vacation | 2010 | G | U20 | $1,068,243 |
| Mcerlean | 2009 | M | U20 | $1,033,541 |
In addition to Lot 160, Lisa will also be looking after Lot 173. This very special colt is out of the U1 family, regarded as the greatest of all in NA, other members are:
| McWicked | 2011 | M | U1 | $4,930,967 |
| Wiggle It Jiggleit | 2012 | G | U1 | $3,945,839 |
| Anndrovette | 2007 | F | U1 | $3,544,930 |
| Put on a Show | 2007 | F | U1 | $2,406,628 |
| Dragon Again | 1995 | M | U1 | $2,343,428 |
| My Little Dragon | 2003 | F | U1 | $2,318,623 |
| If I Can Dream | 2006 | M | U1 | $1,990,276 |
| Krispy Apple | 2008 | F | U1 | $1,905,676 |
| Dial or Nodial | 2006 | G | U1 | $1,774,600 |
| Royal Mattjesty | 1999 | M | U1 | $1,652,730 |
| Sanabelle Island | 1994 | F | U1 | $1,641,676 |
| Artiscape | 1995 | M | U1 | $1,469,461 |
| Cambest | 1988 | M | U1 | $1,444,835 |
| Dali | 2005 | M | U1 | $1,410,714 |
| Stienams Place | 1994 | F | U1 | $1,402,301 |
| Betting Line | 2013 | M | U1 | $1,383,505 |
| Boston Red Rocks | 2013 | M | U1 | $1,370,016 |
| Stienam | 1982 | F | U1 | $1,355,474 |
| Stay Hungry | 2015 | M | U1 | $1,303,709 |
| Georgia Pacific | 2001 | G | U1 | $1,299,889 |
| Docs Fella | 1978 | M | U1 | $1,267,059 |
| Western Shore | 2003 | M | U1 | $1,247,985 |
| Bythemissal | 2019 | G | U1 | $1,168,925 |
| Western Terror | 2001 | M | U1 | $1,164,174 |
| Mr Dalrae | 1979 | M | U1 | $1,150,807 |
| Art Director | 2001 | M | U1 | $1,123,734 |
| Sushi Sushi | 2007 | M | U1 | $1,103,327 |
| Alexie Mattosie | 2006 | G | U1 | $1,096,520 |
| Dragons Lair | 1982 | M | U1 | $1,085,317 |
| Delinquent Account | 1987 | F | U1 | $1,038,997 |
| His Mattjesty | 1994 | M | U1 | $1,038,861 |
| Nickle Bag | 2010 | G | U1 | $1,032,497 |
| Masterofhisdomain | 1996 | G | U1 | $1,026,907 |
| Treacherous Dragon | 2019 | F | U1 | $1,017,447 |
| Armbro Operative | 1993 | M | U1 | $1,012,712 |
| Dr No | 2001 | M | U1 | $1,002,498 |
| Strike an Attitude | 2008 | F | U1 | $1,000,870 |
Buying a yearling from the APG Perth sale will be a very astute investment for some, that will see $125,000 for each 2yo division and $100,000 for each 3yo division.
Check out all of the lots that will be on site at the Magic Millions Sales Complex, 2/56 Dale Road, Middle Swan, WA on March 5
For all your Bloodstock enquiries including the draft above please contact Dean Baring on 0459 215 333
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
