APG Melbourne sale set to kick off the new year in style

The first of the round of Australian Pacing Gold yearling sales will bring in the new year in style, with a total of 67 harness racing yearlings – 56 pacers and 11 trotters – being offered at Oaklands Junction on Sunday, February 2 at 1pm.

The sale features youngsters by the established sires Bettor’s Delight, Art Major, Sweet Lou, American Ideal, Rock N Roll Heaven, Vincent, Majestic Son and Love You and exciting young sires such as Bettor’s Wish, Stay Hungry, Poster Boy, Ride High, Soho Tribeca, The Storm Inside, Lather Up and the trotters Classic Connection, Elite Stride and Pastor Stephen.

King Of Swing, the three-time Miracle Mile winner, Grand Circuit Champion and Horse of the Year, will be represented by his first crop at the sale.

Among the offering are a brother to the dual Vicbred trotting champion Moonshine Linda and half-brothers to Ripp (Bathurst Gold Chalice and APG Gold Bullion), the Group winners Mirragon, Sure Thing Captain and Van Sank, Beach Music (Vic. Youthful), Firestorm Red and the great Victorian trotting mare Pink Galahs.

There’s a sister to the multiple Group placegetter Its Ebonynivory and Okanui Beach (Tas. Dandy Patch) and half-sisters to the A. G. Hunter Cup winner Honolua Bay, Rocknroll Icon, Just Hope (NSW Oaks and Bathurst Gold Tiara) and Somethin Bout Eily (Nutrien Sales Classic).

A number of top flight racemares are represented at the sale including the Australian Pacing Gold winners Musical Delight and Queen Of Pop, the Vicbred champion Pistol Abbey and the Bathurst Gold Crown winner Chart Topper.

Youngsters are closely related to top horses the calibre of Lochinvar Art, Poster Boy, Pembrook Benny, Safari, Gotta Go Cullen, Speak No Evil, Tell Me Tales, Our Sixpence, Border Control, Eye Keep Smiling, Lady Waratah, Tanabi Bromac and Buster Hanover.

Australian Pacing Gold general manager Anthony Essex said: “With just 25 colts and 28 fillies eligible for the exclusive $100,000 two-year-old pacing finals and a generous $50,000 for the three-year-old series, your chances of winning big have never been better.

“APG yearlings have a proven track record of delivering champions – with graduates like Leap To Fame, Catch A Wave, Don Hugo and Swayzee all coming through our sales ring. Could your next champion be waiting for you in Melbourne?

“As an added bonus, all registered buyers at the APG Melbourne Sale will have the chance to win one of 10 $4,000 vouchers from Harness Racing Victoria, redeemable on any horse sold on the day.

“Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to make your ownership dreams a reality. Register as a buyer today and head over to Oaklands Junction for the first sale of 2025.

“APG has a horse for everyone – and maybe, just maybe, your winning ticket to glory,” Essex said.

Promising three-year-old The Last Trip, who won at the Melton midweek meeting, is out of the Group 2 victor Fususi and is her fifth winner. The colt was bred by David Sheppard, who raced Fususi throughout her brilliant career

Leading trainer Jess Tubbs figured as the breeder of winners on consecutive nights at Melton last week. They were the three-year-old filly Carry On Cornish and the trotter Tunbridge

Keayang Fitzy, the effortless winner of the Burnie Cup, was bred by veteran Camperdown horseman Tony Chisholm

by Peter Wharton, for Harness Racing Australia