Powerhouse Pacing Progeny Set For Sale at 2025 Yearling Sale

Bloodstock investors are set to be spoilt for choice with the depth of proven pacing power catalogued for the 2025 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sales at Auckland on February 15 and Christchurch on February 18.

Outstanding buyer confidence will be offered through the blueblood progeny of the world’s most elite standardbred sires.

Among them are the kings of the breeding barn Bettor’s Delight (USA) and Art Major (USA) as well as the younger, established siring stars Captaintreacherous (USA), Sweet Lou (USA) and Always B Miki (USA).

The rising stars of the standardbred breeding world have added immense depth to the catalogue. They include emerging talents Captain Crunch (USA), and Lather Up (USA).

The National Yearling Sale also debuts freshman sires King Of Swing (NZ), and McWicked (USA) who add further depth to the highly anticipated yearling sales.

Bettor’s Delight (USA)

Bettor’s Delight has made an impact on the standardbred breeding world like no other sire before. In his 23rd season at stud in New Zealand, the super sire has shown no signs of slowing down with NZB Standardbred graduates Marketplace (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), Better Knuckle Up (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) and Don’t Stop Dreaming (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) among his latest wave of stars.

Bloodstock investors will have the opportunity to select from a stellar line up of the stallion’s progeny as the twilight of his breeding career approaches.

• Among Bettor’s Delight’s draft is Lot 62 – a colt from the Group One winning mare and multiple stakes race winner Spellbound (NZ) (Art Major)
• Lot 139 is a colt from outstanding performer Imagine Me (NZ) (Dream Away), a close relation to superstar pacer Merlin (NZ) (Art Major).
• Lot 260 is the first foal from Australasia’s top-performing mare and Group One winner Aardies Express (NZ) (Always B Miki)
• Lot 301 is a full sister to New Zealand’s leading two-year-old pacing colt or gelding of 2024 in Marketplace (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).
• Lot 312 is a full brother to the recent dual one Group One winner Republican Party (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) and Advance Party (Bettor’s Delight).

 

Captaintreacherous (USA)

The brilliant racehorse turned sire’s progeny continue to prove they are made for age-group classics and Group One features. Captaintreacherous has already produced brilliant results at the National Yearling Sales and he will offer his arguably his strongest draft in 2025. As the sire of NZB Standardbred graduates Millwood Nike (NZ) (Captaintreacherous) and Chase A Dream (NZ) (Captaintreacherous), the stallion needs no introduction.

Captaintreacherous’ line up draft includes the progeny and close relatives of some of the biggest names in New Zealand harness racing.

• Lot 70 offers the rarest of investing opportunities. The colt is the first of champion mare and producer Adore Me’s (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) progeny to be offered at public auction.
• Lot 73 is the first foal from seven-time Group One winning star Bettor Twist (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).
• Lot 134 is a half-brother to superstar pacer and multiple Group One winner, Merlin (NZ) (Art Major).
• Lot 147 is a half-sister to multiple Group One winning pacer Duchess Megxit (NZ) (Sweet Lou).
   

Always B Miki (USA)

Always B Miki was a world record-setting racehorse and it took him little time to make an outstanding impact in the breeding shed. The stallion has produced consistent waves of elite performers, with Aardie’s Express (NZ) (Always B Miki), Cold Chisel (NZ) (Always B Miki) and Mister Smartee (NZ) (Always B Miki) among his brightest stars.

A stellar draft of yearlings by the proven sire will be offered in both the Karaka and Christchurch sales rings.

• Lot 75 is a full brother to Group Race winner and open-class performer Miki Shan (NZ) (Always B Miki).
• Lot 103 is a half-brother to leading Perth two-year-old and Group One WA Golden Slipper winner Cyclone Jordy (NZ) (Art Major).
• Lot 235 is a close relation to multiple Group One winner and New Zealand Cup champion Self Assured (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).
   

Art Major (USA)

After notching two decades in the breeding barn, Art Major only seems to produce brighter stars. Merlin (NZ) (Art Major) has dominated elite-level racing in New Zealand following his purchase at the NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale. Fellow NZB Standardbred graduate Cyclone Jordy (NZ) (Art Major) is the next rising star to star at Group One level by the stallion.

Art Major’s 2025 yearling draft includes:

• Lot 81 is a half-brother to the champion filly Millwood Nike (NZ) (Captaintreacherous) who recently retired to stud after an incredible, unbeaten racing career.
• Lot 176 is a half-sister to open-class performer and stakes race winner Anything Goes (NZ) (American Ideal).

 

Sweet Lou (USA)

A boost in the number of yearlings by Sweet Lou to be offered at the 2025 National Yearling Sales is set to present prime opportunities for bloodstock investors. The stallion is coming off another outstanding year, with his stellar results in New Zealand headed by Duchess Megxit (NZ) (Sweet Lou), Mantra Blue (NZ) (Sweet Lou) and Jolimont (NZ) (Sweet Lou).

A total of 10 yearlings by Sweet Lou will be offered in the Karaka sales ring with a further eight bluebloods to be sold at Christchurch.

• Lot 164 is a half-brother to talented performers Mitch Maguire (NZ) (Sportswriter) and Jimmy James Maguire (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).
• Lot 39 – a full brother to the stakes race performers Virgil (NZ) (Sweet Lou), Aladdin (NZ) (Sweet Lou) and Hadron Collider (NZ) (Sweet Lou).
• Lot 306 – a close relation to Group Two winning filly Flying Ellie (NZ) (Art Major).

 

Captain Crunch (USA)

After starring on North American racetracks, Captain Crunch has immediately made an impact on Australasian breeding. The winner of US$1,725,495 with a lifetime mark of 1:47.4, has produced 10 winners in New Zealand and a further 25 in Australia in his debut season for his two-year-old progeny.  Among them are talented stakes performers Without You (NZ) (Captain Crunch), Captainshavetime (NZ) (Captain Crunch) and Spicey Crunch (NZ) (Captain Crunch).

Seven bluebloods by Captain Crunch will be offered in the Karaka sales ring, with a further 20 Captain Crunch yearlings to be sold at Christchurch.

• Among Captain Crunch’s stellar line up is Lot 46 – A half-sister to NZB Standardbred Harness Million Two-Year-Old Fillies Final winner Cover Girl (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) and multiple stakes placegetter Aqua Sancta (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).
• Lot 223 – A colt from the Group One winner Town Echo (NZ) (Art Major).
• Lot 251 – A half-brother to multiple stakes winners Bonnie Joan (NZ) (Somebeachsomewhere) and Sand Wave (NZ) (Somebeachsomewhere), from the stakes placegetter Wave Runner (NZ) (Live Or Die).

 

Bettor’s Wish (USA)

The progeny of brilliant racehorse turned sire Bettor’s Wish (USA) were in hot demand in his National Yearling Sale debut in 2024. The winner of an incredible US$2,781,240 during his dominant racetrack career, his progeny averaged $47,071 in 2024 with his top lot selling for $100,000.

Bettor’s Wish returns to the National Yearling Sales in 2025 with a select draft of three yearlings across Auckland and Christchurch.

• Lot 69 – a colt from the family of Time Flies (NZ) (Art Major), the winner of more than $600,000 across her outstanding career in New Zealand and North America.
• Lot 151 – A colt from the race-winning mare Le Vado (NZ) (Gotta Go Cullen).
• Lot 317 – A colt from the family of stakes performers Culpeka (NZ) (Mach Three), Machtu (NZ) (Mach Three) and Eloquent Mach (NZ) (Mach Three).

 

King Of Swing (NZ)

King Of Swing had nothing left to prove when he signed off his stunning racetrack career and entered the breeding barn. The three-time Group One Miracle Mile winner and two-time Group One Hunter Cup winner will make his highly anticipated National Yearling Sale debut in 2025.

King Of Swing has both the race record and the pedigree to make a big impact in the stallion ranks, being by champion sire Rocknroll Hanover (USA) from New Zealand Broodmare Of The Year Twist And Twirl (NZ) (Artsplace).

The emerging sire will be represented by two youngsters in the Karaka sale ring, with another four bluebloods to be offered at Christchurch.

• Lot 26 – A colt from the family of outstanding performers Partyon (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) and Lifes A Beach (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).
• Lot 157 and Lot 177 – two colts from the family of brilliant former race filly One Dream (NZ) (Dream Away).  
   

McWicked (USA)

McWicked was the arch-rival of champion New Zealand pacer Lazarus (NZ) before retiring to stud with a bankroll of US$5,103,271. The sire entered the breeding barn as the highest-earning stallion in harness racing history. McWicked was crowned both Dan Patch Three-Year-Old Pacing Colt of the Year and Dan Patch Horse of the Year during his outstanding career. McWicked has received outstanding support from Southern Hemisphere breeders across Australasia.

A select draft of the stallion’s first yearlings will be offered at the National Yearling Sale, including Lot 219, a colt closely related to multiple Group race winner Pembrook Playboy (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).

 

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).