As the sire of one of the greatest stallions ever to come to this country in Art Major and other champion sires in Grinfromeartoear, Sportswriter, Dream Away, Artiscape and Modern Art, Artsplace is without question one of the most influential harness racing sires in the history of the sport.
A former world champion juvenile, Artsplace, who topped the USA sire premiership on six occasions, died in America in 2006 aged 18 years. He sired more than 1,200 winners including 48 in the 1:50 list and 448 $100,000 earners and had total progeny earnings of $US170 million.
The last of the ‘down under’ bred progeny of Artsplace will go under the hammer at the online Redcliffe Yearling Sale, to be conducted by Darren Ebert and Co, on Sunday starting at 12 noon.
They are two superbly bred colts – one born in New Zealand and the other in Queensland – both being offered by Daren and Gayle Garrard, of Garrard’s Horse & Hound, the sponsors of the Redcliffe sale-race series.
The first of the Artsplace’s is Lot 18, R Eleven Art NZ, a half-brother to five sub 2:00 performers including the NSW Derby placegetter R Eleven (1:55.7), In Massachusetts 1:52.4 ($191,002) and recent Albion Park winner Street Appeal (1:53).
The colt hails from the same family as the Queensland pin-up pacer Destreos, the derby winner Franco Hat Trick, NZ 3YO of the Year Franco Heir and the Oaks winner Onassis Legacy.
The second colt, Lot 54 in the catalogue, is out of the Albion Park winner Couldntdecide (2:00.6), a half-sister to the prolific winner Livinthehighlife 1:53.9 ($127,811), and a member of the same tribe as that which produced top horses the calibre of Ameretto, Hilarion Star and Flashing Star.
Videos of both yearlings will be available to view by prospective purchasers prior to sale day.
Bidders should register now at https://elite.nextlot.com/public/user/new
Photos and videos of all yearlings are available at https://elite.nextlot.com/public/sales/87859/lots?per_page=100
Prospective buyers who are unable to do this online should contact Darren Ebert on phone 0410 688 176 or Rebecca Ebert 0404 050 483 to either help organise it or to register for phone bidding.
The online catalogue can be viewed at www.darrenebertauctioneer.com.au
by Peter Wharton