Southern Success Celebrated Ahead of National Yearling Sales

Southern breeders are hopeful their wave of success at the New Zealand Harness Racing Awards can continue at the 2025 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sales.

Both horses and horsepeople from the Southern Bred Southern Reared group took home a swag of awards when the 2025 harness racing season was celebrated recently.

Southern bred product Republican Party (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) took top honours when crowned New Zealand Horse of The Year, while Jumal (NZ) (Downbytheseaside), Kyvalley Ray (NZ) (Bold Eagle), Duchess Maria (NZ) (Father Patrick) and Lakelsa (NZ) (Captaintreacherous) took out age group categories.

The Southern success was capped with Southern Bred Southern Reared stalwarts John and Katrina Price being announced as New Zealand Breeders of The Year.

Jumal announced himself as a harness racing star with a series of mammoth performances in his two-year-old season.

Breeder Dave Kennedy of Beaudiene Breeding was thrilled to see the brilliant youngster take top honours.

But his attention soon turned back to preparing Jumal’s full brother for the 2026 National Yearling Sale at Christchurch on February 18.

“It was a thrill to see Jumal win his award, he had a great season,” Kennedy said.

“It was a great night for Southern Bred Southern Reared, there was plenty of success on the track last year to celebrate.”

Jumal’s brother, Lot 231, is among a five-strong draft Beaudiene Breeding have entered at the National Yearling Sales.

The colt has some similarities and some differences to his star brother, according to his breeder.

“He is going to be a touch bigger than Jumal, but they are very similar in the body.”

“He has really developed since the yearling sales tour last month, I am thrilled with him.”

“He is a lovely athletic type and a similar cut of a horse to Jumal and he has a lovely nature.”

Lot 231 is one of two Downbytheseaside colts in the Beaudiene Breeding draft.

Lot 271 is a colt from Galleon Pleasure (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), who has already left the multiple stakes race winner Treacherous Gall (NZ) (Captaintreacherous).

The Southern Bred Southern Reared draft also includes two of the three yearlings in the National Yearling Sales by world-record holding freshman sire Bulldog Hanover (USA).

The youngsters are part of the biggest draft preparer Genevieve Crawford will offer at the National Yearling Sales.

Crawford has not only upped her numbers but also has good quality among her line-up of yearlings.

“We have had some good results in the past, but I feel like we have more of those nice types of horses this year.”

“I haven’t really chased it, I have done a few for Rusty Nevill over the last few years and I have had some new owners come in this year.”

Lot 215 is a Bulldog Hanover colt from Allaboutjoy, who is from the family of stakes race winners Jumpingjackmac (NZ) (Mach Three) and Bettor Joy (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).

Also by Bulldog Hanover, Lot 276 is the second foal and first colt from talented former racemare Havtime (NZ) (Mach Three).

Arden Lodge will again be represented by a strong draft at the National Yearling Sales in Christchurch.

The West Otago operation’s line-up includes Lot 171, the first colt from Stellar Arden (NZ) who was a strong performer on both sides of the Tasman.

White Stable will also be back to build on their strong results at the National Yearling Sales.

Their 12 youngsters include Lot 267, a colt by star sire Always B Miki (USA) from the Group One performer Breath Of Life (NZ) (Village Jasper).

Trotting investors are sure to check out One Over Lodge’s re-entry into the standardbred yearling market at the National Yearling Sales.

Breeder Lex Williams will offer two fillies by Orlando Vici (FR) both from talented descendants of his champion mare One Over Kenny (NZ) (Sundon).

The drafts of Ben and Tania Davie, Chelsea Faithful, Havtime Breeding, Kadali Farms and Tuapeka Lodge add further depth to the 40-strong Southern Bred Southern Reared draft.