Ashdon Valley offers outstanding fillies

Ashdon Valley Racing principal Nev Ismaili started from humble beginnings but has built up an impressive band of broodmares in the past decade. 

Ismaili discovered harness racing through a mate, who talked him into buying a horse to race and the fever took hold from there. He now has 11 broodmares. 

His list of winners is headed by Group 1 winner Our Uncle Sam (1.53.3, $717K), who won a swag of country cups and free-for-alls in the late 2010s – early 20s. 

He was a tough grand circuit campaigner, finishing runner-up to Tiger Tara in the 2019 AG Hunter Cup and King Of Swing the following year. 

Ismaili has three fillies in the 2025 APG Melbourne Yearling Sale on February 2. 

“A friend of mine was working with a bloke that used to train horses,” Ismaili said. 

“He was keen to get back into training, so my friend and I decided to buy a horse. 

“Initially, we were looking at a claimer but decided to buy a yearling. We really didn’t think it through as the yearling took another 18 months before she raced. 

“I became impatient and bought a going race horse from NZ. Don’t ask how it went, ha.” 

Ismaili turned to breeding after several of his mares finished racing. He has been selling yearlings for 10 years. 

 “I had a lot of fillies/mares. They were not worth much to sell so I decided to breed,” he said. 

“Our Uncle Sam was one of the first horses I bred. 

“I have 11 broodmares at the moment. Probably need to get rid of a few.” 

The Werribee breeder said he would offer a couple of standout fillies in 2025. 

“The Bettors Wish filly out of Big Girl Grin is a nice big, classy type,” he said.  

“The mare is impeccably bred but has had no luck in the breeding barn. This filly could change all that. 

“And we have a Sweet Lou filly out of Grumpy Sally (named after my daughter). 

“She is an impressive type. Everyone who sees her points her out and asks what she is by. 

“She has a bit of attitude, which I like about a filly.” 

The Big Girl Grin filly is Lot 1 in the sale. The mare, from the Hall of Fame Larrakeyah Lady family, is a half sister to outstanding 3YO Out To Play (1.53.3, $363K), who won the 3YO Vicbred colts final and the Breeders Crown final at Melton in 2019. 

She is also a half sister to Playball (1.54.4, $100K), who produced Group 1-winning filly The Pantheist (1.50.8, $421K), who also won a Breeders Crown final. 

The Grumpy Sally filly is Lot 9. Grumpy Sally has produced three winners, including Bathurst Gold Crown heat winner Happy Reg (1.55, $52K). 

The dam is a fully sister to Breeders Challenge winner (G1) Hes Magic Red (1.56.5, $116K) and solid race mare Night To Remember (1.57.6, $111K) 

She is also from the Larrakeyah Lady family that has produced champion filly Beauty Secret (1.52.4, $425K) and NSW Oaks winner Very Pretty (1.50.4, $299K). 

For full details of Ashdon Vally’s entries and all yearlings in the 2025 Melbourne Yearling Sale please visit our Online Sales Catalogue or Register as a Buyer today! 

From APG Ltd