Pheobe Standardbreds weanling auction counting down

Bloodstock investors need to be quick as bidding on Pheobe Standardbreds’ quality 2024 weanling draft on gavelhouse.com Standardbred is set to close tonight.

The Canterbury stud have four trotting youngsters on offer by their resident sires Royal Aspirations (NZ) and Habibti Inta (NZ).

After winning multiple feature races on the track, Royal Aspirations has made an outstanding impact during his time at stud.

Well known for his ability to leave talented horses like Royal Del (NZ) (Royal Aspirations) and Royal Pride (NZ) (Royal Aspirations), the stallion is also leaving sensible types who take the racing game in their stride.
“Royal Aspirations has shown he can leave a really nice horse,”  Pheobe Standardbreds Studmaster Grant Beckett said.

“His foals have fantastic temperaments, they are wanting to learn from day one and are great to work with.”

Lot 7 in the latest gavelhouse.com Standardbred auction is a filly by Royal Aspirations from the quality former racehorse Hot Chocolate Tart (NZ) (Continentalman).

Hot Chocolate Tart won the New Zealand Sires Stakes Two-Year-Old Trotters Prelude and placed at Group One level during her outstanding career.

The mare is a proven producer having already left the well performed Del Shannon (NZ) (Muscle Hill).

“She is a nice filly, she’s well put together,” Beckett said.
“She’s a half-sister to Del Shannon who has done a great job for Nicky Chilcott, who raced Hot Chocolate Tart with us.”

Pheobe Standardbreds will also offer Lot 15, a Royal Aspirations colt from Phoebe Revival (NZ) (Wrestle).

The athletic colt is a half-brother to the stakes race performer El Conqueror (NZ) (Sebastian K).

“He is a nice type, his photo doesn’t do him justice,” Beckett said.

“He is looking a bit fluffy, but if you can look through that he is a really nice horse.”

Pheobe Standardbreds will also offer Lot 16, a Royal Aspirations colt from Poppy Montgomery (NZ) (Majestic Son).

The colt is from the family of the outstanding racemare Allegro Agitato (NZ) (Sundon) and star racehorse turned sire Skyvalley (NZ) (Muscles Yankee).

Pheobe Standardbreds will offer a filly by Habibi Inta (NZ) from Scarlett Bromac (NZ) (Monarchy) in Lot 17.

“Habibi Inta has been leaving lovely types and this filly is really nice horse,” Beckett said.

“She is a racy type and looks like she has some get up and go about her.”
“When we weaned her she had a lovely attitude and was very willing to learn.”

Bidding will close on gavelhouse.com Standardbred from 7pm (NZT) tonight.

Quality Macca Lodge weanling draft online

Macca Lodge’s 2024 weanling draft is now live on gavelhouse.com Standardbred as part of a 22 Lot catalogue.

The breeding powerhouse has 14 youngsters, born and raised on the lush pastures of Southland, offering investors the chance to take advantage of the forward planning of one of New Zealand’s biggest standardbred studs.

“Each year we offer drafts of weanlings and yearlings for sale, as well as offering going racehorses we get up and going ourselves,” said stud master Caine McIntyre.

“Our weanlings give people the chance to buy a well-bred young horse by a good sire, without having to wait until the next breeding season.”

One mark of Macca Lodge’s online draft is the offering of progeny by emerging sires Stay Hungry (USA) and Capt Midnight (USA).

Stay Hungry has made a big impression in both North America and Australia, with excitement building ahead of the stallion’s stock making their debuts in New Zealand as two-year-olds this year.

“We have two nice fillies by Stay Hungry in our draft and they are both from great southern families,” McIntyre said.

“Lot 3 is a strong filly from the Satire Franco (NZ) (Falcon Seelster) line, she’s been a mare that hasn’t missed.”

“This filly’s dam was a handy winner and she’s a half-sister to eight other winners, including Costa Del Magnifico (NZ) (Mach Three).”

“Lot 4 is a lovely athletic filly, she’s from the Tuapeka Lodge breed.”

“Her page is filled with winners.”

Macca Lodge will offer just the second of Capt Midnight’s progeny to be sold at auction in New Zealand with Lot 13.

The stallion was a brilliant racehorse who made a name for himself by running brilliant times throughout his career.

“Our Capt Midnight colt is really well put together, he’s just a nice type,” McIntyre said.

“He’s out of Bonnie’s Khaleesi (NZ) (Live Or Die) who had ability and did a great job for us.”

Lot 14, by Downbytheseaside (USA) from the outstanding producer Niftey Franco (NZ) (Badlands Hanover), is among the standouts in the Macca Lodge draft.

The colt is a half-brother to the outstanding performers Born to Boogie (NZ) (Rock N Roll Heaven) and Glenferrie Hood (NZ) (Christian Cullen).

“He’s a real quality colt, he is very athletic and correct,” McIntyre said.

“He’s a really nice horse and he looks like he will be able to run.”

Macca Lodge welcomes both enquiries about the stellar draft of weanlings, as well as on-farm inspections.

To find out more about this quality line up of youngsters call Caine McIntyre on +64 272 387 717.

Bidding on the auction is now open and will close, starting with Lot 1, from 7pm (NZT) on Wednesday 8th May. Browse the full catalogue here.

Aardies Express (NZ) Smashes Clock in Stunning Aussie Debut

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Aardies Express (NZ) (Always B Miki) produced a devastating Australian debut when winning the A$50,000 Group Three Sibelia Stakes (1609m) in a stunning 1.48.9 time.

The gavelhouse.com Standardbred qualified for the A$200,000 Group One Queen Elizabeth II Mile (1609m) in utterly brilliant style in her first start for her new trainer and driver Jack Trainor.

Aardies Express was secured by owner Mike Tanev for $30,500 when she was offered online  as a yearling.

The brilliant mare was a star of New Zealand racetracks before heading to Trainor’s Sydney barn and her phenomenal performance in the Group Three Sibelia has instantly made her an Australian star.

Trainor admitted he was both thrilled and relieved to see Aardies Express produce such a powerhouse performance.

“I couldn’t have been any more proud of her or happier with how she went,” the trainer-driver said.

“Obviously she came over with quite a big wrap, she had a great record in New Zealand.”

“It is a really relieving win, knowing that she is on-song.”

“Now we have two weeks between now and the Queen Elizabeth.”

After stopping the clock in such a brilliant winning time, Aardies Express is clearly in great shape ahead of the Queen Elizabeth II Mile on May 4.

Trainor will now try to keep his star mare’s fitness ticking over so that she is ready for her big Group One assignment.

“She doesn’t take a lot of work,” Trainor said.

“She might have a couple of hit-outs and maybe one run at home, but now that her fitness is there she won’t take much.”

NZB Standardbred graduates filled four of the first five placings in the Group Three Sibelia Stakes.

Illavabubbles (NZ) (Always B Miki) chased Aardies Express gamely in the run home to take second placing.

Manhattan (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) ran on late to take fourth ahead of Braeview Kelly (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) who ran fifth.

Aardies Express, Illavabubbles and Manhattan each qualified for the A$200,000 Group One Queen Elizabeth II Mile with their top-four finishes.

Currently online is an eight Lot sale, bidding ends from 7pm (NZT) on Wednesday 24th April.

Aardies Express (NZ) Shows Class Ahead of Queen Of Hearts Tilt

Aardies Express (NZ) (Always B Miki) showed her class when winning her Alexandra Park debut in the $37,000 Group Three Caduceus Club Northern Breeders Stakes (2200m) on Friday night.

The gavelhouse.com Standardbred graduate willed herself to victory for trainers Steve and Amanda Telfer and driver Zachary Butcher after initially looking too far off the pace.

Aardies Express was secured by owners Mike Tanev for $30,500 when she was offered online as a yearling.

When getting well off the leaders on a slow early pace, Aardies Express had a huge task in front of her in the middle stages.

But it proved a task she was well and truly up for when she reeled in NZB Standardbred graduate Lady Of The Light (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) in a thrilling finish.

“It was a super win, to come from where she did,” Butcher said.

“She settled last and they didn’t go very hard early, she had to do a bit of work to get around off quick quarters.”

“A horse like Lady Of The Light, she was going to be very hard to beat off her tempo and we got her on the line.”

“It was a super effort.”

Aardies Express’ group race victory doubled as a test ahead of the upcoming Group One Queen Of Hearts (2200m).

The mare impressed in her first attempt on a right-handed track, showing she will be the horse to beat in the Queen Of Hearts.
“She handled herself like a good horse,” Butcher said.
“That is what good horses do, when you ask them to step out of their comfort zone they step up and she did that tonight.”

Lady Of The Light (NZ) fought gamely in the home straight and was only denied by the barest of margins by Aardies Express.

NZB Standardbred graduate Manhattan (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) ran on well into third placing.

Currently online is the final auction of 2023 featuring 20 Lots. Bidding ends from 7pm on Wednesday 13th December.  

Creatine filly raising money for Katie Cox Appeal

After facing his own cancer battle, Gerald Cayford felt compelled to help out Katie Cox.

He responded by putting up a Creatine yearling he owns on auction site gavelhouse, with all proceeds going to the Katie Cox Appeal Fund.

The horse named Courageous Katie is currently at $2000, with the auction closing just after 7pm on Friday night.

“I’ve only met Katie once but when you think of what she’s going through and I thought you have to do something.”

“The response from everyone in the sport has been outstanding”

Katie Cox was diagnosed earlier this year with a rare form of lung cancer, and a trust was immediately set up to help pay for her expensive medication and treatment.

That appeal is now at an estimated $300,000.

Cayford, a well known owner, breeder and administrator, battled throat cancer this year. It prompted him to make some big decisions, including selling the Golden Fleece Hotel at Waikouaiti just north of Dunedin he owned with wife Rose.

“I’m basically retired though I’ve still got some business interests.”

He bred Courageous Katie himself. She is by Creatine out of his four-win mare Ygritte.

And the rising two-year-old has shown some early ability.

“She’s from a great family,” says Cayford, “and she’s been broken in and had a couple of preps.”

“I reckon she’s worth 10 to 15,000 but whatever she goes for will go to Katie.”

As well as the purchase price the appeal will also get five per cent of all lifetime earnings.

At the moment the horse is at Matty Williamson’s Oamaru stables.

To see the auction, which ends from 7pm (NZT) on Friday, click here

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk

Special auction to launch Saturday

As part of the ongoing fundraising efforts in support of Katie Cox, Gerald Cayford has kindly donated a yearling Creatine filly ‘Courageous Katie‘ to be auctioned.

This auction will launch this Saturday and run through until Friday 17th November.

The auction is sure to attract plenty of interest and entries for other Lots in the sale will be accepted so that vendors still get the opportunity to market stock in a timely manner. 

Entries are now open here and are due online by 12pm on Saturday 11th November.  If you have any questions about listing contact +64 9 296 4436 or email info@gavelhouse.com

Mystic Max (NZ) Shows True Worth in South Bay Trotters Cup

Mystic Max (NZ) (Village Mystic) showed his true class when speeding along the inner to win the $37,000 Group Three South Bay Trotters Cup at (2400m) Kaikoura on Monday.

The classy gavelhouse.com Standardbred graduate had the last say when diving along the inner to score for trainer Michael Purdon and driver Blair Orange.

Purdon purchased Mystic Max for $9,501 when he was offered in a online by breeder-vendors Tardina Lodge.

With New Zealand Cup Week just a matter of days away, Mystic Max’s win came at the perfect time.

The trotter wasn’t quite able to show his best in his recent outings which set Purdon a challenge to have him primed and ready for a series of group race assignments, which started on Monday.

And both horse and trainer were up for the task.

“It has not been the horse’s ability, it has been me as a trainer learning how to train a free-for-all horse,” Purdon said.

“Hopefully I have got him on the right track now.”

Driver Blair Orange credited Purdon for having Mystic Max primed to deliver his winning performance at Kaikoura.

“Great training effort by Michael – (Mystic Max) has had a few problems but he has got on top of them.”

“He has always had the engine, it has just been a matter of getting his ringcraft sorted.”

After making a swift beginning, Orange pushed forward to take the lead with Mystic Max.

The reinsman then secured a sweet trip in the trail for Mystic Max who won easily, though by a narrow margin.

Purdon now plans to start his stable star in the Group Three Worthy Queen Trot (2000m) on New Zealand Cup Day before the horse’s tilt at the Group One Dominion (3200m) on Show Day at Addington.

NZB Standardbred graduate Harold Smith (NZ) (Andover Hall) showed he is also right on track for his New Zealand Cup week assignments with his excellent second placing behind Mystic Max.

The five-year-old ran on strongly to get within a neck of the winner for trainer Tom Bagrie and driver Jonny Cox.

Entries for the next fortnightly gavelhouse.com Standardbred auction are due online by 10pm tomorrow, Wednesday 1 November. The catalogue will go live at 5pm on Thursday and run through until 7pm on Wednesday 8 November.

Complete package Aardies Express (NZ) Powers to Hannon Victory

Aardies Express (NZ) (Always B Miki) showed she is made for elite level racing with her victory in the $39,000 Group Three Placemakers Hannon Memorial (2600m) at Oamaru on Sunday.

The gavelhouse.com Standardbred graduate powered through testing conditions to beat her more seasoned open class rivals in the traditional Group One New Zealand Cup lead up event in just her 13th race start.

Canadian owner Mike Tanev purchased Aardie’s Express for $30,500 when she was offered as a yearling online in 2020 and placed the pacer with Stonewall Stud.

She has since gone onto racetrack stardom for trainers Steve and Amanda Telfer and  showed all of the qualities required for elite racing in her impressive Hannon Memorial win.

The four-year-old showed her staying power when working around the field on a strong pace, before she used her brilliant high speed to dash along the inner.

The mare has Amanda Telfer convinced she is the complete package.

“She can really do anything, she is tough, she has got speed, she is the complete package really,” Telfer said.

Though Aardies Express defeated many New Zealand Cup contenders in a time-honoured New Zealand Cup lead up race, she is not a definite New Zealand Cup starter.

The Telfer stable are preferring to keep their options open with their classy mare.

“She is nominated for the New Zealand Cup but it is not a certainty she will go there,” Telfer said.

“We will take every race as it comes and she will tell us what we are going to do.”

“There is also the Junior Free-For-All, so you don’t have to go to the Cup.”

Horses purchased through NZB Standardbred auctions filled the first four placings in the Hannon Memorial.

After working hard in testing conditions, Republican Party (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) fought on strongly to run second.

The Cran and Chrissie Dalgety trained pacer looks right on track for his New Zealand Cup tilt.

NZB Standardbred graduate Anything Goes (NZ) (American Ideal) continued his fine spring form with his third placing for trainers Mark and Nathan Purdon.

Got You Covered (NZ) (Art Major) ran on strongly in a meritorious fourth placing.

Entries for the next gavelhouse.com Standardbred auction are due online by 10pm (NZT) on Wednesday 20th September. – Photo: Harness Racing NZ

$300,000 for Carlas Pixel

She was billed as “one of Australia’s top broodmares” but no-one was expecting Carlas Pixel to take off at auction the way she did.

Last night the multiple Group 1 winner, who’s in foal to boom stallion Captaintreacherous, sold for a record $300,000 on gavelhouse standardbred after a spirited bidding battle from both sides of the Tasman.

“After it reached reserve I thought it would quieten down,” says NZB Standardbred Manager Cam Bray, “but it went past $175 and then $200,000, never in a million years did we think we’d get $300,000.”

Neither did vendor, Australian-based Shannon Nixon, who’s made the decision to sell his Victorian property and move away from the breeding side of the industry.

“He was pretty emotional, and rightly so – it was a great result all round.”

The buyer was JC International, John Curtin’s bloodstock business, on behalf of clients.

“It seems Carla will stay in Australia with the new owners,” says Bray.

“The trend of the last few years is that the top end is healthy and if you have quality stock there will be buyers prepared to pay big money.”

“But in saying that she exceeded expectations, no question.”

A huge factor too is that Carlas Pixel’s previous foal by Captaintreacherous fetched $270,000.

The $300,000 is a massive new standardbred record for gavelhouse, easily eclipsing the $63,000 paid for Millwood Nike’s dam Albuquerque last year.

Also last night another well-bred and sought after broodmare went for good money, with Moet’s Girl , a full sister to six-time Group One winner Elle Mac, selling for $55,500. She is in foal to Captain Crunch. – By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

Carlas Pixel hot property from the outset

Early online action has seen Carlas Pixel shoot into six-figure territory in what is a rare opportunity to secure one of Australia’s top broodmares on gavelhouse.com Standardbred.

From one of the best families in the Stud Book, she is offered for sale due to a change in direction for Nixon Bloodstock.

The decision has been a difficult and emotional one for Shannon Nixon “It’s been a big decision as she’s part of the family, she likes to be around people and is great company.

“However, we were in the breeding business for the lifestyle and having sold the property, our life’s moving in a different direction and keeping the mares away doesn’t appeal.”

A 1.49.5 multiple Group One winner, Carlas Pixel is by Courage Under Fire and won the Ladyship Mile and Ladyship Cup while also placing a further four times at the top level including the Gr.1 Victorian Cup behind modern day champions Tiger Tara and Chicago Bull.

She was sound enough to start on 60 occasions with her domination earning her the Australian Aged Pacing Mare of the Year title.

Adding even further appeal, she is a half-sister to star racehorse and now sire Soho Tribeca and at stud she’s already produced an outstanding colt who topped the recent Nutrien Melbourne Sale, setting an Australian Standardbred sale record for a yearling sold at auction of $270,000.

She is in foal to one of the hottest sires on the planet in Captaintreacherous, making the resulting foal a full to the sale topper.

Bidding on Carlas Pixel and the 15 other Lots in the auction will end from 7pm (NZT) on Wednesday 21 June. If you have any questions about the bidding process, get in touch with the Gavelhouse.com team via info@gavelhouse.com or call +64 9 296 4436