Elite Stallion Prospects to Debut at 2023 National Yearling Sale

Yearlings by freshmen sires Captain Crunch (USA), Lather Up (USA) and Stay Hungry (USA) will go under the hammer for the first time in New Zealand at NZB Standardbred’s 2023 National Yearling Sale in Auckland and Christchurch.

Buyers will have plenty of opportunity to secure the stock of three former racetrack stars, with a standout line up of 64 progeny by the stallions catalogued for the 2023 Sale.

Scintillating peed is the common factor shared by Captain Crunch, Stay Hungry and Lather Up, with each of the stallion prospects taking a 1.47 lifetime mark before retiring to stud to start their siring careers.
 

Captain Crunch (USA) 

After a strong reception in North American sale rings, Captain Crunch will make his 2023 National Yearling Sale debut with plenty to look forward to.

The stallion banked $US1,725,495 during a glittering career which included a North American Cup victory and a scintillating lifetime mark of 1:47.4.

Captain Crunch’s progeny were highly sought after at American yearling sales, selling at an average of $US58,939. Among an in-demand first crop of Northern Hemisphere yearlings were 11 lots which made US$100,000 or more.

Eight Captain Crunch yearlings will be offered at the 2023 Auckland National Yearling Sale on 19 February.

• Lot 25 is a filly out of Artsplace mare Callmemaybe (NZ), making this lot a half-sister to Group One-placed Bettor Call Me (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) offered by Breckon Farms.
• Lot 119, a colt out of six-time Group One-winning race mare The Orange Agent (NZ) (American Ideal) offered by Hollis & Robertson Equine Services.
• Lot 125, also offered by Hollis & Robertson Equine Services, is a colt out Group One-winning dam Veste (NZ) (Christian Cullen). This lot is a half-brother to Group One New Zealand Sires Stakes 3YO winner It’s All About Faith (NZ) (Captaintreacherous), and Group winners Yorkshire (NZ) (A Rocknroll Dance) and Purest Silk (NZ) (Rocknroll Hanover).

A further 44 yearlings by Captain Crunch will be offered at the 2023 Christchurch National Yearling Sale on February 20-22.

• Consigned by Kelvin Home Holdings, Lot 251 is a colt out of Group One-placed mare Delightful Lana (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight). This lot’s dam is a half-sister to superstar Australian pacer and NZB Standardbred graduate Rock N Roll Doo (NZ) (Rock N Roll Heaven).
• They include Lot 253, the first foal out of former Australian Three-Year-Old Pacing Filly of the Year Dr Susan (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight). The colt will be offered by Rosedale Farm.
• Ruby Bloodstock will offer Lot 259, a colt out of Elusive Chick (NZ) (McArdle), winner of the Group One Harness Jewels 4YO Diamond. This lot’s half-brother, KashKeeper (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), sold for $210,000 at last year’s Christchurch National Yearling Sale.
   

Lather Up (USA) 

Lather Up’s representation of yearlings in 2023 will see buyers gain access to some of the fastest genetics in harness racing history. Lather Up retired as a world record holder with the equal fastest-ever mile time in world history.

His outstanding racetrack career included victories in the North America Cup and the William Haughton Memorial, where the pacer took an incredible 1.46.0 lifetime mark.

Three yearlings by Lather Up will be offered at the 2023 Christchurch National Yearling Sale, with one offered in Auckland at the Karaka Sales Centre.

• Lot 231 is a filly out of Cathar (NZ) (Red River Hanover). Offered by L. A. Carter, this lot is from the same family of current Australian star Spirit Of St Louis (NZ) (Sweet Lou).
• T. D. Proctor & D. M. Dynes are consignors of Lot 393, a colt out of the stakes-performed mare Tact Hayley Jane (NZ) (Albert Albert), herself the producer of five winners from five foals to race. This lot is a half-brother to multiple Group-winning Tact Hayleys Delight (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).
   

Stay Hungry (USA) 

Stay Hungry was a superstar racehorse that made a huge impact as a two-year-old by winning a Breeders Crown title. The stallion went on to win US$1,303,709 in stakes and take a sizzling lifetime mark of 1:47.3.

Stay Hungry’s oldest crop of foals are now two-year-olds and are beginning to close in on an epic debut season on North American racetracks.

He finished his 2022 season as the fourth-leading sire on the US Trotting Association’s sire rankings table. The stallion’s progeny earned more than US$2.5 million and in the process, with Stay Hungry beating many of the biggest names of the standardbred siring world.

Excitement is building in Australasia as Stay Hungry’s oldest Southern Hemisphere crop is set to debut at NZB Standardbred/s 2023 National Yearling Sale in February.

Stay Hungry is represented by two colts at the 2023 Christchurch National Yearling Sale.

• Offered by Beaudiene Breeding, Lot 225 is a colt out of Beaudiene Blinkz (NZ) (Badlands Hanover), with this dam being a full sister to outstanding Group One performers Beaudiene Boaz (NZ) (Badlands Hanover) and Beaudiene Bad Babe (NZ) (Badlands Hanover). Between them, the brilliant brother and sister won more than $1.5 million in stakes and seven Group One titles.
   

NZB Standardbred’s 2023 National Yearling Sale will take place in Auckland on Sunday 19 February, with selling continuing in Christchurch from Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 February.

All yearlings will be inspected by NZB Standardbred agents at the 2023 on-farm parades, who are available to take inspection notes or complete evaluations on behalf of buyers.

International buyers wishing to physically attend the Sale can enquire about accommodation options by emailing [email protected] or [email protected].

Online bidding is available for all prospective purchasers via standardbred.bidonline.nzb.co.nz, plus an extensive online catalogue that will host pedigrees, parade videos and photos, updates and important information to assist your buying decisions.

View the full 2023 catalogue here.

Selling Schedule

2023 Auckland Sale at the Karaka Sales Centre

• Day 1: Sunday 19 February, 12PM (NZT): Sale of Trotters & Pacers, Lots 1 – 128
   

2023 Christchurch Sale at Canterbury Agricultural Park

• Day 1: Monday 20 February, 3PM (NZT): Sale of Trotters, Lots 129 – 194
• Day 2: Tuesday 21 February, 1PM (NZT): Sale of Pacers, Lots 195 – 300
• Day 3: Wednesday 22 February, 1PM (NZT): Sale of Pacers, Lots 301 – 406