Pedigree Updates Elevate 2025 Yearling Catalogue

Thanks to a series of big-race performances by high-class siblings, the catalogue for NZB Standardbred’s 2025 National Yearling Sale has received some significant pedigree updates in the countdown to the Sale. 

Recently crowned 2024 New Zealand Pacer Of The Year, Merlin (NZ) (Art Major) has further boosted the pedigrees of his close relations since the catalogue went to print, winning the Group Two NZB Airfreight Flying Stakes, Group One NZ FFA as well as a gallant second in the Group One Auckland Cup. 

His sister, Captains Mistress (NZ) (Captaintreacherous) has also since won the Group One NZ Sires Stakes 2YO Fillies Final, and was crowned New Zealand’s 2YO Pacing Filly of the Year.  

Lot 134, a colt by Captaintreacherous, is a sibling to both of these stars, and will be offered under Laura Smith’s draft on Tuesday 18 February in Christchurch. 

A Group One Interdominon Pacing Championship now appears on the pedigree pages of two yearlings to be offered at both Christchurch and Karaka.  

The $1.5 million-earning Don Hugo (AUS) (Art Major) is a close relation to Lot 103, an Always B Miki half-brother to another star in Australia in the NZB Standardbred graduate Cyclone Jordy (NZ) (Art Major). Rogerson Bloodstock’s Sweet Lou colt in Lot 128 also hails from Don Hugo’s family.  

Lot 106, a Face Time Bourbon colt out of multiple Group One winner Dance Craze (Muscle Hill), received a significant update to his already stunning pedigree page when The Locomotive (Muscle Mass) took out the Group One Interdominion Trotting Championship, himself being a half-brother to Dance Craze.  

Republican Party’s (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) Group One victories in the Invercargill and Auckland Cups, as well as his third in the Group One Hunter Cup have boosted the pedigrees of two colts going up for Sale.  

Price Bloodstock will offer a full-brother to Republican Party in Lot 312. To be offered by Macca Lodge, Lot 224, a Bettor’s Delight colt, is also a close relation. 

Recently crowned New Zealand 3YO Filly Of Year, Duchess Megxit (NZ) (Sweet Lou) has continued her winning ways taking out the Group One New Zealand Oaks and Group One Queen of Hearts since the catalogue launched.  

Dancingonmoonlight will offer a Captaintreacherous half-sister to the brilliant pacer in Lot 147. Duchess Megxit is also closely related to another Captaintreacherous yearling in Lot 187, to be offered by Spreydon Lodge. 

Mo’unga (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) has been a star performer over summer, boosting the pedigrees of several of his close relatives. 

Among them are Lot 5 and Lot 68 to be offered at Auckland and Lot 191 to be offered at Christchurch.  

The impact of the New Zealand bloodlines in North America has also continued since the confirming of the National Yearling Sales catalogue. 

The brilliant win of Mirage Hanover (USA) (Bettor’s Delight) in the US$600,000 Breeders Crown Final at The Meadowlands now appears on the pedigree page of Lot 124.  

Marketplace (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) has added another two Group One wins to his CV, and updated his full-sister’s pedigree in the process with Lot 301 being offered by Barron Bloodstock.  

Meanwhile the honest trotter Meant To Be (NZ) (Father Patrick) has been elevated to black-type status since the catalogue went to print, taking out the Group One NZ Sires Stakes 2YO Trotters Final and the Group One Ace of Clubs. His close relation Lot 23 is a colt by What The Hill on offer from breeders Breckon Farms. 

The outstanding racetrack deeds of Group-performing stars Mister Smartee (NZ) (Always B Miki), Don’t Stop Dreaming (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), Father Time (NZ) (Father Patrick), Pretty in Pink (NZ) (Father Patrick), Sooner The Bettor (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), Stella Rouge (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), Treacherous Baby (NZ) (Captaintreacherous) and We Walk By Faith (NZ) have also added more depth to the 2025 National Yearling Sale catalogue. 

View the full pedigree updates for Auckland and Christchurch.  

All horses purchased at the Sale are eligible for NZB Standardbred’s lucrative Harness Million Sales Race Series. The Series consists of principal two-year-old and three-year-old races for colts and geldings, fillies and trotters individually, where NZB Standardbred graduates can contest for their share in a one million dollar prizepool.   

The Auckland session takes place on Saturday 15 February at Karaka with selling from 1pm (NZT). The official parade at Karaka will now take place at the earlier time of 10am on Friday 14 February at the request of major vendors. Inspections at Christchurch take place on Sunday 16 & Monday 17 February at Canterbury Agricultural Park while selling begins on Tuesday 18 February from 11am (NZT).