Champion breeder Matt Day primed for bumper sale

Goulburn breeder Matt Day has learned from selling yearlings at auction for more than 25 years not to make bold predictions. 

However, the hardworking Southern Tablelands horseman is adamant that his draft for the 2024 Australian Pacing Gold Sydney Yearling Sale at Warwick Farm on Sunday, February 25 is one of his best ever. 

“Every year when you go to the sales there’s always one or two youngsters that are a bit behind the others,” Day said. “But this year’s draft is really nice overall with a number of potential early goers.” 

Matt, who has bred and sold horses the calibre of the NSW Oaks and Breeders Challenge winner Anntonia, the Cups winner Sicario ($586,396) and the APG Gold Bullion victor Captain Ritchie, will parade a premium draft of 11 youngsters – five colts and six fillies. 

The consignment comprises stock by the world’s leading sires Bettor’s Delight, Sweet Lou, Always B Miki, Bettor’s Wish, Stay Hungry, Captain Crunch and the sensational Tall Dark Stranger. 

They represent the progeny of a carefully built broodmare band, showcasing the leading maternal families in Australia and New Zealand with successful matings and good rearing.  

Two of the top picks from Matt’s draft are among the first four lots listed to go through the ring at the Riverside Stables Complex. 

Lot 301, a Bettor’s Delight filly from the Christian mare Ultimate CC, the dam of the Derby placegetter Cee Cee In America, is the first lot at the sale.   

“She’s one of the best fillies I’ve ever taken to a sale. She’s a big, precocious filly and a nice mover,” Day said. 

The second of the Day offering is Lot 304, a filly by the Bettor’s Delight double millionaire Bettor’s Wish from the Rocknroll Hanover mare Aqui A Mi Lado NZ, a granddaughter of the champion NZ racemare Under Cover Lover. 

“She’s a really nice filly and an early two-year-old type,” Day stated. 

The first of Matt’s three Always B Miki colts is Lot 312, a neat, compact colt from the 100 percent producer Celebrity Lass, a granddaughter of the breeding influence Larrakeyah Lady and thus a close relative of Ride High, Treachery, Safe And Sound, etc. 

The second Always B Miki is Lot 319, a half-brother to the 2022 APG Gold Bullion winner Captain Ritchie ($129,965) and a close relative of four $100,000 earners including Swinging Scooter and Mister Swinger. 

The last of the Always B Miki brigade is Lot 365, a colt from the Art Major mare Our Gold Dust Woman NZ and from the family of the great King Of Swing and Mach Dan. 

Another filly bred on the golden Bettor’s Delight-Christian Cullen cross is Lot 317, a half-sister to six sub 2:00 winners and a member of the same tribe as the mighty Courage Under Fire. 

Lot 382, a strongly built filly from the first crop of the USA Horse of the Year and Hall of Famer Tall Dark Stranger, is out of the grand producer Shezacullen NZ, the dam of seven in 2:00 and three $100,000 earners.  

“She’s a magnificent type of filly,” Day said. 

Day is offering two colts by the siring sensation Sweet Lou, one a big, strong colt from the Falcon Seelster mare Jolene Franco NZ as Lot 340 and the other from the Art Major mare Our Little Artist (Lot 367). Both belong to top maternal families. 

Stay Hungry, the USA Breeders Crown champion and sensational young sire, will be represented by Lot 385, a filly from the fast In The Pocket mare Strawb’s Interact NZ, the dam of the APG 2YO Final winner Park Life. 

Lot 358, one of only three fillies by the Captaintreacherous horse Captain Crunch in the Sydney sale, is described by Day as a “two-year-old type”. She’s a half-sister to eight winners who have earned more than $750,000 in stakes between them. 

Matt said the preparation of the 11-strong draft had been a real team effort. 

“My wife Jannine and my daughters Emma and Brooke have been a tower of strength.” 

For full details and 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