Star Sire Representation at 2023 National Yearling Sale

Buyers are spoilt for choice with an incredible line-up of progeny by the world’s most successful stallions at NZB Standardbred’s 2023 National Yearling Sale in Auckland and Christchurch.

From established pacers Bettor’s Delight, Captaintreacherous, Sweet Lou and Art Major, to emerging blueblood Always B Miki, the depth of stallions represented in the catalogue offers buyers the chance to score elite-level success.

The outstanding selection includes the highest-achieving stallions in both hemispheres.
 

Bettor’s Delight 

Yearlings by Bettor’s Delight will often star at auction before going on to dominate the racetrack. The sire’s progeny will head to the Auckland and Christchurch sale rings fresh off another all-conquering season across Australasia.

From open-class stars like Self Assured (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) to age group champions Akuta (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), Don’t Stop Dreaming (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) and True Fantasy (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), Bettor’s Delight’s stock once again dominated age group pacing categories in both Australia and New Zealand.

A total of 72 Bettor’s Delight yearlings are set to be in hot demand at the 2023 National Standardbred Yearling Sale at Karaka and Canterbury Agricultural Park.

• Among the quality line-up is Lot 80, a Bettor’s Delight colt from the Group One-winning mare Major Reality (NZ). The colt is a full brother to last year’s $300,000 Karaka sales topper, Delightful Reality (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) purchased by Stonewall Stud.  
• Lot 123 is a colt out of Twist And Twirl (NZ) (Artsplace) who recently received the 2022 New Zealand Pacing Broodmare of Excellence award. This lot hails from an exceptional Breckon Farms’ family, being a full brother to multiple Group One winner Bettor Twist (NZ) and a half-brother to two-time Australian horse of the year King Of Swing (Rocknroll Hanover).
• Lot 197 is a colt out of Abide With Me (NZ) (Christian Cullen), a daughter of superstar producer Scuse Me (NZ) (B.G’s Bunny). This lot’s dam is a half-sister to multiple Group One winners Have Faith In Me (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) and Adore Me (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).
• Lot 364 is a full brother to former star race-fillies Dr Susan (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) and La Rosa (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).

Captaintreacherous 

Captaintreacherous has produced staggering results across the globe during the 2022 season. The brilliant and unbeaten Millwood Nike (NZ) (Captaintreacherous) heads the outstanding level of success her star sire has produced in New Zealand.

While in Australia, Captaintreacherous sired a host of age group stars including Catch A Wave (Captaintreacherous) and Encipher (Captaintreacherous).

Buyers will have the opportunity to select from an offering of 22 Captaintreacherous yearlings at the 2023 edition of the Sale in Auckland and Christchurch.

• Among the select group is the first colt out of multiple Group One winner Elle Mac (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) in Lot 63.
• A quality Captaintreacherous filly out of Onlyforyou (NZ) (Art Major) will also be offered at Auckland. Lot 100 is a half-sister to talented pacers A Bettor You (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) and OK Boomer (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).
• Among the Christchurch offering of Captaintreacherous yearlings is Lot 226, a filly from Bettor Go (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight). This Lot is a half-sister to Group Three winner in Australia Willie Go West (NZ) (Auckland Reactor) and full sister to exciting Southland pacer Captain Tom (NZ) (Captaintreacherous).
• Lot 248 is a filly out of Cullens Bet (Christian Cullen), this lot’s dam is a half-sister to emerging three-year-old Merlin (NZ) (Art Major).

Art Major 

Art Major has left an incredible mark on the Australasian breeding industry, throwing a strong line-up of age group performers and open-class champions over the last decade.

Art Major will be represented by 33 yearlings this year in Auckland and Christchurch.

• Lot 31 is a colt out of Cordelia (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), making him a full brother to multiple stakes race-winning mare Town Echo (NZ) (Art Major).
• Lot 35 is another quality Art Major yearling to be offered at Karaka. The colt is out of the very well-performed racemare Cyclone Kate (NZ) (Mach Three).
• Lot 355 is a colt out of Ragazza Bromac (NZ) (Falcon Seelster), making him a half-brother to outstanding performers Cast No Shadow (NZ) (Shadow Play) and Ragazzo Mach (NZ) (Mach Three).
• Offered in Christchurch is Lot 403, an Art Major filly out of Under The Odds (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight). This Lot is a full sibling to Group One Western Australia Derby winner Major Trojan (NZ).

Always B Miki 

Always B Miki retired a world record holder, and it is clear that many of his progeny have been stamped with his same searing speed.

Star filly Aardie's Express (NZ) (Always B Miki), who has only tasted defeat once in her nine-start career, has led the way in New Zealand. While multiple Group One winner Tricky Miki (Always B Miki) has shone the brightest amongst the age group stars Always B Miki has produced across the Tasman.

Always B Miki enjoyed tremendous results at the 2022 National Standardbred Yearling Sale, with anticipation building around the sire again this year. A total of 47 yearlings by Always B Miki will be offered in Auckland and Christchurch.

• Included in this line up is Lot 62 at Karaka, a filly out of smart racemare Ideal Flybye (NZ) (American Ideal). The yearling is a half-sister to last year’s Group One performing two-year-old Kahlua Flybye (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).
• Among the outstanding Always B Miki yearlings to be sold in Christchurch is Lot 321. The colt is out of Mach N Elle (NZ) (Mach Three) a half-brother to Group One winner Watch Me Now (NZ) (He’s Watching).

Sweet Lou 

Sweet Lou’s New Zealand-bred stars Spirit Of St Louis (NZ) (Sweet Lou) and Darling Me (NZ) (Sweet Lou) have led the way for the stallion as he continues to rise the ranks of Australasia’s best-performing sires.

But it wasn’t just Sweet Lou’s open-class performers that have put the stallion’s name in the spotlight. In an incredible feat, Sweet Lou was ranked in the top four prizemoney-earning sires of two-year-old pacers in North America, Australia and New Zealand in the 2022 season.

A strong selection of 26 yearlings by Sweet Lou will go under the hammer at NZB Standardbred’s 2023 National Yearling Sale at Karaka and Canterbury Agricultural Park.

• Lot 115 is a filly out of Splendid Deal (NZ) (In The Pocket), making her a half-sister to outstanding performers (Our) Maxim (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) and (Our) Splendour (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).
• Among the blueblood Sweet Lou fillies to be offered in Christchurch is Lot 243. The yearling is out of Cool Sandy (NZ) (Sands A Flyin), making her a half-sister to the stakes-performing mare Betabcool (Bettor’s Delight) (NZ).
   

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.

The 2023 Harness Million Series Meeting for three-year-olds will take place at Cambridge Raceway on Friday 17 February.

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

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