Southern Breeders Turn up the Heat at 2025 Sale

The Southern Bred Southern Reared (SBSR) group will be out to add to its incredible legacy at the National Yearling Sale during the Christchurch session on February 18. 

Standardbreds sold under the Southern Bred Southern Reared banner have been highly sought after at previous sales owing directly to the brilliant results, they have gone on to produce in elite races. 

A total of thirteen vendors from the SBSR will offer 54 youngsters in the Christchurch sales ring. 

Each of their drafts will look to follow in the footsteps of star graduates Republican Party (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), Treacherous Gall (NZ) (Captaintreacherous), Cold Chisel (NZ) and Southern Diamond (NZ) (Creatine) when they enter the NZB Standardbred sales ring.  

There is plenty of excitement among the wider group about the quality of their stock, with SBSR's Mark Smith looking forward to the Sale.  

“With the good grass we have down here and the great pedigrees that have come out of Southland and Otago, Southern Bred Southern Reared horses are known for having a great upbringing and a great constitution for racing,” he commented. 

“Southern horses are known for their longevity; they can be up and running in the good two-year-old races and still competing at the highest level many years later. 

“We have some great types in our draft this year and we are looking forward to showing them off to buyers.” 
 

The chance to secure a full brother to recent Group One Invercargill and Auckland Cup winning star Republican Party is sure to capture the attention of many bidders. 

The blueblood colt (Lot 312)  is among a select draft being presented by his breeders, Price Bloodstock. 

“The three colts that Democrat Party has had are all very similar, they’re like three peas in a pod,” Katrina Price says.  

“He’s very athletic and correct and he thinks he is pretty special.” 
 

Macca Lodge also has a close relation to Republican Party among their draft.  Lot 224 is by Bettor’s Delight from the race-winning mare Surprise Party (NZ) (Christian Cullen) who is a half-sister to Democrat Party (NZ) (American Ideal), the dam of Republican Party. 

“He’s a lovely colt and a typical Bettor’s Delight, it’s been a great family for a long time, and they have been on fire lately,” Brent McIntyre says.   

Macca Lodge will offer three Bettor’s Delight yearlings, including Lot 224 and Lot 323.  The Southland stud’s stellar Christchurch draft also includes colts by Downbytheseaside (USA), Always B Miki (USA), Lazarus (NZ) and a filly by Father Patrick (USA). 

 

Smith and wife Debbie will offer 10 quality youngsters under their Shard Farm banner at the upcoming 2025 National Yearling Sales.  Among them is Lot 190, a Downbytheseaside colt from Priscilla Shard (NZ) (Western Ideal), who has produced three winners from three foals to race.  Captaintreacherous (USA) is also represented in the Shard Farm draft by Lot 259. The colt is from a the quality Southland family that has produced the Group One winner, Joyful (AUS) (Always B Miki). 

 

Arden Lodge will head north to add to their outstanding record in the Christchurch sales ring with their quality draft of five yearlings. The lineup includes a close relation to the Arden Lodge bred New Zealand Cup champion Arden Rooney (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight). 

Lot 237 is a Downbytheseaside (USA) colt from a full sister to Arden Rooney in Tosca’s Arden (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight).  Arden Lodge will offer another Downbytheseaside (USA) colt in Lot 242, who is from the race-winning mare Tuapeka Art (NZ) (Art Major). 

Another New Zealand Cup champion features among the pedigrees of the Arden Lodge draft. Lot 258 is a filly by Lazarus (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) from Ardenart (NZ) (Artsplace), who has left four winners. Lot 229 is from Tact Minaj (NZ) (Liz Mara), a close relation to recent Group One Hunter Cup Placegetter Tact McLeod (NZ) (Sweet Lou). 

 

White Stables returns to the Christchurch sales ring to build on the strong results in recent years.  The draft of eight yearlings represents a strong mix of both emerging and proven sires.

Lot 332 is sure to capture the attention of buyers being by Downbytheseaside (USA) from the multiple Group One winning mare Fight for Glory (NZ) (Art Major).  Lot 178 mixes the best of bloodlines from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.  The colt is by Timoko (FR) from the family of the outstanding trotting mare One Over Kenny (NZ) (Sundon).  

Tuapeka Lodge has a proud history of offering quality youngsters at the National Yearling Sale, which they will be out to add to again this year. 

Heading the two offerings from the Otago breeders is Lot 287, a Bettor’s Delight (USA) colt from the brilliant racemare Bonnie Joan (NZ) (Somebeachsomewhere).  Tuapeka Lodge will also offer a Sweet Lou (USA) colt in Lot 162.  

SBSR’s National Yearling Sale presence has been further bolstered this year by the addition of several first-time vendors.  

Macandrew Farm’s Megan Reidie is looking forward to offering Lot 184, a full brother leading Perth pacer Galactic Star (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight). 

Braeview Limited will offer two colts by King of Swing (NZ) (Rocknroll Hanover), while Green Daly will offer a half-brother to Interdominion winner Cast No Shadow (NZ) (Shadow Play), by Downbytheseaside (USA).  

Renowned vendors Beaudiene Breeding will again offer a quality draft in Christchurch which includes a close relation to a host of star pacers including Cheer the Lady (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), Duke of Wellington (NZ) (American Ideal) and Treacherous Gall (NZ) (Captaintreacherous).  Lot 154 is by Stay Hungry (USA) from the Sweet Lou mare Louisa Galleon (NZ). 

Michelle Caig is known for the quality trotters she has offered at the National Yearling Sale, and she will return in 2025 with two square gaiters.  Lot 211 is a colt by Bold Eagle (FR) from the family of stakes-race performers Pretty Sunday (NZ) (Earl), Rosemma (NZ) (Monarchy) and Leaf Stride (NZ) (Love You).  Lot 295 is a filly by champion sire Majestic Son (CAN) and a half-sister to the Group One winning mare Renezmae (NZ) (The Pres).   

Chelsea Faithful’s sole Christchurch offering in Lot 189 is sure to grab the attention of bloodstock investors. The Always B Miki (USA) colt is from Group One placegetter and 11-race winning mare Plutonium Lady (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight). 

Steve Bauke will also offer one yearling in Lot 296, a colt by Art Major (USA) from the strong producer Citylight (NZ) (Christian Cullen).  

Bloodstock investors can check out the 2025 SBSR draft on the group’s upcoming yearling sales on-farm parades. 

Taking place on Monday 10 and Tuesday 11 February, the schedule can be viewed here and bookings can be made through Katrina Price on katrina.price@xtra.co.nz or 021369097. 

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).