Ex-footballer’s first foray at yearling sale

Retired Wagga businessman Russell Campbell’s two pet sporting loves are football and harness racing.

“I have been involved in Australian Rules football most of my life. I played with South Melbourne from 1978 to 1980 as a ruck-rover,” Russell said.

“I was later the State director of coaching for AFL for five years in NSW.”

“I remember playing football in the afternoon and then going to Moonee Valley to watch Maori’s Idol race at night.”

Campbell operated the Post Office at Wagga for 27 years before his retirement.

“My wife and I bought 20 acres and we started racing a couple of pacers,” Campbell said.

“I bought Lombo Newsy Scoop at the Australian Pacing Gold sale in Melbourne in 2013.

“I trained her for most of her career. She won nine races and qualified for the Group 1 NSW Breeders Challenge Final as a two-year-old at Menangle.”

Lombo Newsy Scoop, by Sportswriter, was out of the Panorama mare Aflyin Home Lombo, a full sister to the APG Final winner and 2YO of the Year Lombo Skyrider 1:50 ($841,611) and a member of the same family as Lady De La Renta 1:49.4 ($522,767).

Lombo Newsy Scoop’s first two foals are Lady Violetta (by American Ideal), a three-year-old winner in WA and a dual Group finalist, and the smart Bulletin (by Sweet Lou), who was placed twice from a handful of starts as a two-year-old last year.

Her third foal, a lovely colt by the Somebeachsomewhere double millionaire and emerging young sire Downbytheseaside, is listed as Lot 349 in the catalogue for the APG sale at Warwick Farm on Sunday.

“This is the first one I’ve ever prepared to go to the sales. I have had a couple go through the sales before,” Russell said.

“He has a really good temperament like his mum. He’s easy to handle, very athletic and has good conformation.”

Campbell said he has two foals which have been earmarked for the sale next year.

For full details of Lot 349 and all catalogued yearlings in the 2024 Australian Pacing Gold Yearling Sales please visit our Online Sales Catalogue or Register as a Buyer now.

From APG Ltd