It was a sad day for our Industry almost 4 years ago to the day when the great stallion Mach Three passed away a few weeks short of his 18th Birthday.
His 27 starts on the racetrack as a 2 and 3 year old resulted in 18 wins and over $2.375 million in prizemoney.
To quantify just how talented a horse he was , he raced against the double millionaires Art Major and McArdle whilst another talented colt of that year in Million Dollar Cam won the Little Brown Jug . So the racetrack opposition for that particular crop of horses born in 1999 was incredibly strong .
However his lasting legacy will be as a Sire and the Breeding Industry world wide is now being reshaped by his wonderful son Somebeachsomewhere.
Mach Three on a pound for pound basis was every bit as good a Sire as his more fertile contemporaries Bettors Delight and Art Major . Amongst the Australian bred progeny of these three outstanding Stallions , Mach Three sits at the top of the tree with average earnings per starter of $68,672.
His Australian bred progeny are headed by the millionaires Colt Thirty One and Captain Joy and arguably the best female he sired anywhere in the World in Ladies In Red 1.51.9 .
Prior to his sudden death in 2017 there was a limited amount of his semen Frozen for use in the Southern Hemisphere. There have only been four Live Foals registered from this Frozen semen – three in 2018 and one in 2020. The colt foal that was born on 30th October 2020 is now the very last of the mighty Mach Three’s progeny to be born anywhere in the World.
LOT 185 – The End of the Line …… and What a Way to End.
Wagga Wagga based couple Jessica Francis and Jake Stockton have quickly developed a reputation in recent years of producing top quality Yearlings from their property on the eastern outskirts of Wagga.
In 2018 they sold a Mach three colt from their recently acquired mare Behappysam at the Melbourne APG Yearling Sale. Well that colt was later named Be Happy Mach and after a 2 year old season of 11 starts for 10 wins and earnings of $344,000 he was crowned with the title of Australian 2 Year Old Pacer of the Year. His performance in the $300,000 Breeders Crown Final on 24th August was simply awesome.
“ Oh he’s a jet “ called Dan Mielecki as Be Happy Mach left his rivals gasping for air , “ What a Win “ as he crossed the line an easy winner.
Well next Sunday at the Neds APG Melbourne Sale , Jake and Jessica will offer Lot 185 – the full brother to Be Happy Mach 1.52.7 and the very last progeny of Mach Three to be born anywhere in the world.
“ He’s not as tall as his full brother , probably more like your typical Mach Three “ explained Jake last week “ but he looks like a clone of his brother in the head “.
He is a colt that will attract massive interest and could even be a Sales topper as his dam , the Washington V C mare Behappysam has not only produced Be Happy Mach but also five other winners that have won in excess of $1.1 million between them.
Be Happy Mach had a start and stop season as a Sire in the latter half of 2021 under the Alabar Sires Roster , whilst also being trained.
“ We are delighted that the very last foal sired by Mach Three anywhere in the world is a full brother to such an outstanding 2 year old. “ said Alabar Manager Brett Coffey last week.
Lot 185 is the first of Jessica’s and Jake’s draft next Sunday but they also 2 Fillies and another Colt to be offered.
Two of them are by the Breed Changing sire Somebeachsomewhere and are in fact the only two representatives of the super Sire in the Melbourne Sale.
LOT 220 is a Colt born to Nth American time , foaled on New Years Day 2021 , from the Live Or Die mare Giveusachance 1.55.6. Aside from producing 2 winners who have won in excess of $200,000 between them , Giveusachance is a half sister to the two times Australian Horse of the Year Sokyola 1.54.6 $1.89 million.
LOT 255 is a strongly built and good looking Filly from the Roll With Joe mare Luvin Miss Molly. The first foal of this mare , Agiftfromtheangels , makes her 2 year old debut at Menangle on Tuesday 1st February. Although only lightly raced [ 5 starts ] Jake expects Luvin Miss Molly to be highly successful as a Broodmare as she was a filly possessed with heaps of speed before going amiss.
The Jake and Jess team draft is rounded out with a filly who should command huge attention .
LOT 208 is a Captaintreacherous filly from a half sister to the millionaire Captain Joy [ by Mach Three ] 1.51.4 as well as another 7 winners who won almost another $1 million between them.
One gets the impression that Jake Stockton , ably supported by his Sale day helpers Jack and Adrian , will be run off their feet next weekend.
Wagga , NSW has been the breeding ground of some famous sporting people over the years – Michael Slater , Paul Kelly and Wayne Carey spring readily to mind – and there could be a new four legged hero to come out of the town this year amongst the 9 or 10 Yearlings being prepared in the region.
But there is One Thing For Sure – there will never be another Mach Three yearling come from Wagga or any other town or city in the world after LOT 185 passes through the Auction Ring next Sunday.
John Coffey has been inspecting all of the Victorian yearlings over the last few months and will be pleased to answer any questions that you may have on the individuals featuring in the sale, or to bid on your behalf. John can be contacted on 0418 500 211.
Corinna Davey (Sales Executive – VIC/TAS ) for International Animal Health https://www.iahp.com.au/ will be on hand to select and to award the most sort after garland and product prizes for the best presented filly and colt. This is going to be a hotly contested event and should not be missed.
Please contact Linda Graham on 0428 955 998 or via email and she’ll be pleased to assist you with your online registrations, pre- bidding sale approvals or to answer any other questions that you may have on your travel and accommodation needs.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
