A link in the changing of the breed

Poster Boy : A link in the changing of the breed

Somebeachsomewhere was a pretty neat song, written and sung by American Country Music performer Blake Shelton. [Actually do yourself a favour and watch the video].

In the Harness Racing world Somebeachsomewhere, the equine colossus, has been the biggest Hit of the 21st Century. The relatively conservatively priced yearling gave five owners from the Maritimes on the East coast of Canada the ride of their lives and for them he truly became a life changing horse.

After a two season career that culminated in a resume rarely seen in any Sport – 21 starts, 20 wins and $3,221,299 in prizemoney, he was retired to Hanover Farms in Pennsylvania in 2009 for Stud duty.

Sadly he passed away in January 2018 but in that short time as a Stallion Somebeachsomewhere continued his domination from the racetrack into the Breeding shed.

Even though his Sire and Grandsire, Mach Three and Matts Scooter, were very good Sires Somebeachsomewhere has taken Siring ability to a new level. It wont be any surprise if history’s pages in years to come record Somebeachsomewhere as a Breed Changing Stallion. There are now at least ten of his sons that are standing at Stud Farms in North America whilst here in the Southern Hemisphere there are only three sons available via fresh chilled semen.

Another aspect of success in Standardbred breeding that is becoming more and more obvious in these times is having Artsplace or his sons as the Broodmare sire of the Stallion – eg. Captaintreacherous, Always B Miki, Rock N Roll Heaven, Western Terror.

Poster Boy – by Somebeachsomewhere from an Artsplace mare.

Yes there is no doubt that Poster Boy’s breeding is at an elite level by todays standards in Harness Racing.

He is the fastest Australian bred son of Somebeachsomewhere and that Artsplace mare, Aston Villa, is the current reigning Queen of Australian broodmares. Her first five foals have now accumulated earnings of $1.525 million. Will that make him the next outstanding Sire in Australia? Only time will provide the answer to that question.

However Poster Boy has been given the opportunity by Breeders around Australia to succeed with some 125 mares already having been bred to him.

Three recent Queen of the Pacific winners are amongst them – they being; Speak No Evil 1.50.9 $354,300 [by Well Said]. Pistol Abbey 1.55.6 $253,060 [by Western Terror]. Gumdrops 1.53.1 $256,910 [by Western Terror].

It is interesting and something to remember that these three mares are sired by sons of Western Hanover. This cross of Somebeachsomewhere over Western Hanover/Western Ideal line mares has been a potent recipe for breeding Elite racetrack performers, especially in North America with examples such as;

Pure Country 1.48 $2.438 million.
Somewhere in LA 1.48.8 $1.864 million.
Filibuster Hanover 1.48.6 $1.859 million.
This Is The Plan 1.48.2 $1.756 million.
Huntsville 1.47.8 $1.704 million.
Papi Rob Hanover 1.47.2 $927,979 [Fully Booked at Hanover in debut season].