“You need to have faith in yourself. Be brave and take risks. You don’t have to have it all figured out to move forward.” Roy T Bennett
A great story that had an amazing outcome in 2010 followed the above quote exactly when a man called Jim Mulinix went to the Harrisburg Yearling sale that year.
As he was reaching retirement, Jim decided that once in his life he would like to try it in the “big time”. He partnered with his friend, Denny Miller, and hitched a ride to the Harrisburg Yearling sale.
The one and only yearling at the sale that caught his eye was Lot 971, a Rocknroll Hanover colt out of Wichita Hanover. The colt sold on the third day, and as the gavel dropped at $15,000, Jim was the new owner of A Rocknroll Dance.
“I was tickled to get him,” says Jim, who looked at hundreds of yearlings before spotting A Rocknroll Dance.
One of the very best sons of Rocknroll Hanover – this $2.4 million earner won at the highest level from two to four. He was the richest two year old of the year and also equalled the world record at that age.
As a three year old he not only won the Meadowland Pace but also the $500,000 Battle of Brandywine – in identical times of 1:48.2.
As a four year old he was a monster, setting world records on both five eighths (1:47.8) and half mile tracks (1:49.2). He became the first horse to win in sub 1:48 in three consecutive starts.
Leading First Season Sire in North America, Leading First Season Sire in New Zealand and Leading First Season Sire in Australia! Only one of three stallions to sire multiple Group 1 winning two year old’s in Australia in 2020.
Sire of the fastest two year old ever in the Southern Hemisphere – Bar Room Banta 1:50.7
Sire of 6 Group 1 winners from his first 4 crops (incl current 2yos)
He now has had 282 starters for the very respectable 218 winners with an average earnings per starter of $35,476.
A Rocknroll Dance now has 87 offspring that have won more than $100,000 on the track which is an outstanding effort.
If we dig a little deeper it makes astonishing reading when analysing in the table below that 37 of the 87 have been out of mares by Adios line broodmare sires.
| Larry Karr | Emily Car | Art Major |
| No Win No Feed | Designer Rose | Art Major |
| Lady Rocknrolla | Educated Lady | Art Major |
| Nifty Studleigh | Rocky Bay Lass | Art Major |
| Pas De Cheval | Then We Dance | Art Major |
| Lost In Time | Summer Mystery | Artiscape |
| Dew A Little Dance | Artbitration | Artiscape |
| Tiamogonedancen | Tiamo | Artiscape |
| Ben Rockin | Chevie Pride | Arts Conquest |
| Scuola Hanover | So Artsi | Artsplace |
| Edge Of Eternity | Margin Blue Chip | Artsplace |
| Dance Club | Liscaramore | Artsplace |
| Aldine Hanover | Armbro Amoretto | Artsplace |
| Band Stand | Als Girl | Artsplace |
| Davids Coming Home | Arterra | Artsplace |
| Dancinat Midland | Pan Hanover | Artsplace |
| Reclamation | Art Sale | Artsplace |
| Dont Judge A Book | Pan Hanover | Artsplace |
| Instructor | Liscaramore | Artsplace |
| Can We Dance | Penny For Nickel | Artsplace |
| Art Dancer | State Of The Art | Artsplace |
| Dance For Kisses | Thirsty For Kisses | Artsplace |
| Rock On Top | Harper Grace | Grinfromeartoear |
| Sidewalk Dancer | Road Sign | Life Sign |
| Foolish Pleasure | Vouray | Life Sign |
| Lyons Music | Mcgibson | Mcardle |
| Shez Got Bling | Glitterazzi | Mcardle |
| Whereyabinboppin | Whereyawheeliebin | Modern Art |
| The Choreographer | Modern Day | Modern Art |
| Our Money Rocks | Fuller Vee Em | Modern Art |
| Proof | Ginger And Fred | Real Artist |
| Zanetti | Tys Artist | Real Artist |
| Almanac | Ginger And Fred | Real Artist |
| Captain Sleaze | Da Sleazy One | Sportsmaster |
| Jay Ok | Naevia | Sportswriter |
| Hecandancencruise | She Can Cruise | Yankee Cruiser |
| Under Paid | Upfront Cruzin | Yankee Cruiser |
In particular A Rocknroll Dance clearly has a very strong affinity with Modern Art mares, that golden cross now averages very close to $47,000 for earnings per starter on that cross here in AUS.
Those that follow families will know that A Rocknroll Dance and Modern are both from the acclaimed U92. This is the family that has also produced:
| This Is The Plan | G | U92 | $2,671,384 | Somebeachsomewhere | Western Ideal |
| Western Hanover | M | U92 | $2,541,647 | No Nukes | Albatross |
| Call Me Queen Be | F | U92 | $1,378,315 | Somebeachsomewhere | Western Terror |
| Fashion Delight | M | U92 | $1,074,303 | Bettors Delight | Artsplace |
For those owners looking to take advantage of the wonderful percentages these astute breeders have had, keep in mind Lot 6 at the APG Gold Coast Sale on 22/01/2023. Purchasers receive the added bonus of tapping into a massive $150,000 “Pot Of Gold final” (restricted to just 36 yearlings presented at the APG Gold Coast Sales day where no non-sale entries will be taken). Sure an event to have on your bucket list to start the new year off.
Lot 6 is a filly in the sale, A Rocknroll Dance – Modern Thought – Modern Art – Consigned by the Cain family and prepared by Alex Cain, Calvert, QLD (with enquiries via 0407 698 199). This lot should be on the list for those chasing glory in a $150,000 final in the northern state or those (like Jim) that decided to have a crack and try their luck in the “big time”.
The 2023 Neds – Gold Coast Sale on January 22, promises to be the “must attend harness event for 2023”.
APG will have online and telephone bidding options available if you are unable to attend.
Please contact Stephanie Graham on 0477 160 499 to answer any questions that you may have regarding catalogues, travel and accommodation needs. Paul Ellis on 0412 377 312 or Trevor O’Reilly on 0408 714 624 are also available for all other questions that you may have.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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