Being elite in any given field generally comes at a huge personal and financial cost. Amazing stories of athletes overcoming injuries to rise to the top are far from uncommon. Or there is the great story about Colonel Harland Sanders who took over 20 years to get his recipes and franchise model right before launching the 2nd greatest fast food chain in the world – KFC. In some ways, I see Matt Day’s rise to the very top of successful yearling preparers being a little like the great man, Colonel Sanders.
You see, Matt is no 5 minute wonder. He has invested his entire life into harness racing , and is one of very few preparers that have supported APG in every sale from the start. Now as he approaches the middle phase of his life, success has finally started to come his way and it’s well and truly overdue in the minds of many. It’s hard to find anyone more passionate and straight forward than the big man from Goulburn in NSW.
Matt’s straight talking can sometimes get him into a little bit of strife, however, it’s what his clients and breakers have come to expect, understand and respect. He calls it as he sees it, every single time.
The Auctioneers love his horses, not only because of the way they are presented, but also their soundness, quality and the way they behave. All his horses walk into the ring for genuine sale – no games with this man from the west.
Last year Matt (along with his number one asset and Partner Jannie) had the sale topping colt out of the beautifully bred mare Bettorthanyou. That colt was sold to Jean Feiss (another great harness racing identity) for $120,000 and is now under the care of Mark Purdon in New Zealand. Although this stunning colt was sold for a price out of the reach of many buyers, Matt’s not forgotten his loyal band of clients over the years that prefer to invest in that sub $30,000 bracket where many super star horses have come from. I do get the feeling it’s these horses and their new owners at the lower end that give Matt and his team the greatest thrill.
Talk of Matt topping the sale again this year has already started and what’s really interesting is that it’s Bettorthanyou at it again. This time she has a stunning Colt (pictured below) by the super sire Christian Cullen – no wonder why his phone has been ringing off the hook since the photo went up in our online guide.
Now, for the rest of us that can only dream of buying a colt at the level of the two boys above, please look below at the piece I’ve just found that Peter Wharton has written about all of Matt’s Team for the APG Sydney Sale. What’s really encouraging is that almost all price points have been covered in this consignment. Best tip I can give any perspective purchaser of yearlings this year is to start looking at this consignment from the man that calls it as it is – Matt Day, a trusted name that has put a life time of work into our sport.
Sydney sale
Lot 209: Filly – American Ideal USA-Perfect Penny-Christian Cullen NZ
Bred on the identical cross as top NZ racemare Luisanabelle Midfrew 1:52.2 ($223,147). By the sire of Hunter Cup winner Bling It On. Second foal of daughter of multiple Group 1 winning filly Threepence 1:57.3 ($253,306). Dam a half-sister to three in 1:55 including Bathurst Gold Crown placegetter Be Brave 1:54.3 ($172,336)
Lot 214: Colt – Bettor’s Delight USA-Priceless Gem-Art Major USA
First foal of NSW Breeders Challenge Final placegetter. Dam a full sister to dual NSW Breeders Challenge winner Louvre 1:54.5 ($402,665), NSW Sires Stakes 2YO champion and Derby winnerRenaissance Man 1:53.1 ($297,904) and NSW Breeders Challenge Final placegetter My General Lee 1:52.2 ($162,317) and half-sister to NSW Oaks winner Miss Hazel ($310,063)
Lot 233: Colt – Rock N Roll Heaven USA-Serenas Delight-Bettor’s Delight USA
First foal of winning half-sister to Hamilton track record holder The Culture (1:51.6). Grand-dam a three-quarter sister to NZ 3YO Colt and Pacer of the Year Stunin Cullen 1:54.1 ($1.3million) and half-sister to NZ 4YO Mare of the Year Coburg 1:56.8 ($105,176). Closely related to NZ Horse of the Year Il Vicolo ($1.5million) and NZ 2YO of the Year Gotta Go Cullen ($1.1million)
Lot 244: Colt – Betterthancheddar USA-Stratford NZ-In The Pocket USA
By leading Australian first crop sire. Dam a three-quarter sister to Breeders Crown champion Molly Darling 1:51.4 ($506,033), dam of NZ Southern Supremacy winner No Doctor Needed 1:50.2 ($245,500), and half-sister to NZ Manukau Cup winner Mandrake 1:56. Closely related to QLD 4YO Championship winner Sweet Molly Oshea (1:52.1)
Lot 250: Colt – A Rocknroll Dance USA-Talilia-Albert Albert USA
From the first crop of world champion 2YO. Half-brother to five winners including Harold Park winnersKid Courageous 1:51.8 ($276,501) and Bo Sparta (1:53.8) and good Victorian winner Jackabeems.Grand-dam top Tasmanian racemare Irish Town (1:55.7), dam of Pink Bonnet winner Gracie Wilkes(1:56) and Ballychurch (Harold Park)
Lot 285: Colt – Christian Cullen NZ-Bettorthanyou-Bettor’s Delight USA
Half-brother to War Dan Apollo (1:54.5) 10 wins to date. Dam a half-sister to six winners including multiple Group 1 winner and three-time Mare of the Year Make Mine Cullen 1:53 ($874,178) and $100,000+ winners Rogers Passion, Billy Badlands and Bella Joy, dam of NZ 2YO Filly of the YearSupersonic Miss 1:52.6 ($346,452) and Jukebox Music 1:53.6 ($302,271). This is the lastChristian Cullen Colt to be sold at the APG’s sales, his powerful blood works in this family, A magnificent colt that could top the sale.
Lot 293: Filly – Art Major USA-Calleija-Village Jasper USA
Bred on the same cross as 3YO Filly of the Year Fight For Glory and Alleluia. Dam a half-sister to nine winners including Golden Czar 1:53.2 ($278,119), Sportscenter 1:55 ($141,815), Village Bonus, etc. Closely related to Next Bonus ($330,459), Vicbred champion By My Side and Lucky Punch
Lot 298: Filly – Art Major USA-Charm Alarm NZ-Bettor’s Delight USA
First foal of 1:56.7 Gloucester Park winning dam, a half-sister to seven in 2:00 including triple Oaks winner Under Cover Lover 1:51.8 ($864,923), CC’s Lover 1:51.1 ($324,694) and Cybersleuth(1:52.). Very closely related to Match In Heaven 1:52.1 ($170,484) and NZ 2YO Filly of the YearBettor Cover Lover ($1m)
Lot 303: Colt – Art Major USA-Christisimo NZ-Christian Cullen NZ
Dam won four races at Gloucester Park and went 1:57.2, she a half-sister to five in 2:00 includingAlert Falcon 1:54.4 ($297,895), Melton winner The Cavalier ($248,434) and QLD Derby winnerTorbello. Closely related to current top WA 3YO Rock Diamonds (1:54.8)
Lot 312: Filly – Rock N Roll Heaven USA-Delightfullybettor-Bettor’s Delight USA
First foal of the winner of eight races including 1:56.9 as 2YO. Dam a half-sister to four in 2:00including SA and Ballarat Cup winner Mister Swinger ($445,107), Harold Park winners Swinging Scooter 1:53.4 ($459,782), Village Swinger and NSW Derby placegetter Sir Swinger
Lot 319: Filly – Rock N Roll Heaven USA-Fourstarzsolataire-Four4 Starzzz Shark USA
First foal of a winning half-sister to QBred Triad and Breeders Classic winner Smarty Jones 1:54.1 ($234,731) and WA Village Kid Sprint winner Rockyourbaby 1:56 ($179,272). Same family asPhiladelphia Man
Lot 325: Colt – Western Ideal USA-Fususi-Village Jasper USA
The only progeny of the champion USA sire in the sale. Dam won 12 races and $180,305 including Tatlow Memorial and placed in two Vicbred finals. Dam a half-sister to Bathurst Gold Tiara and Aust. Oaks winner Shake It Mama 1:54.7 ($257,588) and Pyrites (1:57.9), dam of Breeders Crown Cons. winner Bettor Be Gold. From Pride Of Lincoln family
Lot 331: Filly – Pet Rock USA-Glenferrie Elect NZ-Christian Cullen NZ
From first crop of world champion son of Rocknroll Hanover. Out of daughter of NZ Horse of the Year, triple Oaks and Aust. winner Elect To Live 1:55.5 ($535,800). Dam a half-sister to four in 2:00including NZ Jewels winner Gotta Go Harmony 2, 1:55.5 ($205,909) and Group 2 NZ 2YO winner and successful sire Gotta Go Cullect (2, 1:57) and Gotta Go Artelect (1:55.4). Family of former top racemare Very Chic ($217,166)
Lot 345: Colt – Sportswriter USA-Illawong Sister Styx NZ-Christian Cullen NZ
First foal of winner of 10 races including Argent Classic and placed Vic. Oaks. Dam a half-sister toTrot West Crusader 1:50.1 ($183,302) and Styx J Six (1:57.3). Grand-dam a half-sister to Smart Son 1:49.6 ($347,805), Vanderel ($164,163) and NZ Sires Stakes Final placegetter Impish (1:54.9)
Lot 364: Colt – Auckland Reactor NZ-Kiwi Rose USA-Western Hanover USA
Half-brother to Glenferrie Boss (1:54.9), 12 wins to date. Dam a half-sister to USA winner Willy Mucha 1:50.1 ($390,170) and to dam of Ontario Sires Stakes 2YO champion Machapelo 1:51.2 ($623,981) and Resistance Futile 1:49.1 ($323m193). Grand-dam Tupelo Rose 1:51.4 ($879,867), winner of a record five Oaks classics
Lot 377: Filly – Auckland Reactor NZ-Lil’s Dream-Badlands Hanover USA
Half-sister to Tell Us We Dream (1:59.6), Lil’s Angel (1:57.7) and Manly Mach. Dam a sister to Breeders Crown and Vicbred heat winner Braeview Creation and half-sister to dam of Flaming Courage (3, 1:55.2). Closely related to Kaikoura Cup winner Michele Bromac and Tatlow winnerRoman Ruler.
Lot 399: Colt – Roll With Joe USA-My Prima Bella NZ-Mach Three USA
From third crop of 2016 leading first-season sire. Half-brother to Watch This Spot (1:57.2), 9 wins to date, and My Bettor Bella (3, 1:56.2). Dam a half-sister to NZ Horse of the Year and nine-time Group 1 winner Carabella 1:55.2 ($693,615). Grand-dam a half-sister to USA Stakes winner Athena Blue Chip 1:50.3 ($457,118), dam of Art’s Chip 1:49.3 ($726,999). Top USA family that includes,
Rock n Roll Heaven $2,657,862
Clear Vision $2,553,937
Vintage Master $2,160,953
Silent Spring $2,090,232
and let’s not forget Roll With Joe’s best son so far Racing Hill $1,727,692
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
