Childhood interest becomes serious hobby

Lake Albert breeder Russell Campbell developed an interest in harness racing as a child and it grew into a successful hobby as he got older. 

“I had shown a keen interest from an early age whilst attending race meetings with my family around the Riverina from about the age of 12,” Campbell said. 

“Harness racing was a passion for me and I am self-taught because my family didn’t have much interest at all and couldn’t afford to own and race harness horses. 

“I was involved with AFL football for most of my working life and once I had finished and purchased a business, we bought 20 acres in Wagga Wagga to pursue harness racing. 

“I’ve been involved for the past 20 years and currently still enjoy the horses and hold a trainer/driver licence. 

“I decided to diversify into breeding five years ago, so I am relatively new to the breeding game. 

“I have bred five horses. The first two have been winners and the remaining three consist of a two-year-old and two yearlings which will be at the upcoming APG Sydney sale.  

“So far, the most promising is probably a Sweet Lou out of Lombo Newsy Scoop called Bulletin. 

“I have three broodmares. However, I don’t breed all three every year. It depends on what the marketplace is doing and also finding the right sire to suit the mare and what buyers are keen on at that time.” 

He will offer two fillies at the 2025 APG Sydney Yearling Sale on February 16. 

The first is Lot 212, a filly by McWicked from Bathurst Gold Bracelet heat winner Gypsy Babe (1.53.8, $77K), who won 12 races and is a half sister to smart mare Scarlett Babe (1.52.1, $222K). 

Their dam is champion filly Ashlees Babe (1.57.3, $334K), who won 16 races as a three-year-old, including the Queensland Oaks, the fillies Vicbred final and NSW Princess Mile. 

She was named Australian 3YO pacer of the year and went on to win the 4YO mares Vicbred final and the 4&5YO Championship at Melton the following year. 

This filly’s dam, Gypsy Babe, won a heat and semifinal of the 3YO fillies Vicbred series before finishing fourth to Im Smouldering in the $100,000 final in 2013. 

McWicked, who earnt more than $5 million on the track, sired 16 2YO winners from his first Australian crop in 2024, seven of those were fillies. 

This cross, McWicked over a Mach Three mare produced two good winners last season, Breeders Challenge Blue final runner-up Walter Warlock (1.57.2, $35K) and Qld APG Classic and Qbred Triad finalist Dual Cam (1.56.3, $16K). 

“She is a lovely bay filly with a great temperament along with good conformation, standing at the moment around 14.2 hands and has been a pleasure to do anything with,” Campbell said. 

Campbell, who sells under the name Shenise Standardbreds, has another exciting filly in Lot 221. She is from his talented race mare, Lombo Newsy Scoop (1.56.5, $70K), and by boom sire Huntsville. 

Campbell bought Lombo Newsy Scoop at the 2012 APG Melbourne Yearling Sale and trained her for most of her nine wins. 

She is the dam of promising WA filly Lady Violetta (1.57.8, $36K) and the speedy Bulletin (1.56.5, $20K), who won three in a row at Riverina Paceway as a 3YO last season. 

This filly’s grandam Aflyin Home Lombo was a 2YO winner and is a full sister to 2001 Australian 2YO of the year Lombo Skyrider (1.50, $841K). 

Lombo Newsy Scoop is by Artsplace stallion Sportswriter. Huntsville has had outstanding results with mares by sons of Artsplace. 

He has thrown 11 winners from Art Major mares. He has also produced winners from Modern Art, Artiscape, Dream Away and Perfect Art – all from one Australian crop. 

“This filly stands just under 14.3 hands in height. She is a striking brown filly with a great temperament and a willingness to co-operate,” Campbell said. 

“She is a must see, with Huntsville doing a good job. 

“Her mother won nine races and competed in a Group 1 Breeders Challenge final as a 2YO,” Campbell said. “This is her fourth foal. All her foals that have raced have been winners. The horses not to race so far are a current two-year-old and this lovely filly.” 

For full details of these or any other yearlings in the 2025 Sydney Yearling Sale please visit APG’s Online Sales Catalogue or Register as a Buyer today! 

From APG Ltd