Gange family tradition continues at APG Melbourne Sale

Respected Goulburn Valley breeder Ross Gange has been a key figure at Melbourne yearling sales for 40 years. 

The Lemon Tree studmaster has topped the sales on three occasions with his crowning achievement being the breeder of Australia’s first ever $100,000 yearling in Walton’s Babe at the Australian Pacing Gold sale in Melbourne in 2004. 

Among the top horses bred off his Shepparton property have been the millionaire Sting Lika Bee, the NZ Derby winner Border Control, Mirragon (1:49.4), the Breeders Crown champion Hesa Buzzin, Pandering (The Allwood), Fifteenletters and Aussie Trump to name only a few. 

However, during the past decade Gange has gradually scaled back his breeding interests and is now breeding from only three matrons. 

The trio are all represented in the draft being offered by Ross and his sons Aaron and Hugh at the APG Melbourne sale at Oaklands Junction on Sunday, February 2. 

The draft comprises a colt and a filly boasting all-American bloodlines and a colt from the line of Australia’s leading source of classic winners, that founded by Miss Tommy. 

The Gange draft will be spearheaded by Lot 57, a lovely colt by champion sire Art Major from the Mach Three mare The Waratah (1:57.9), the dam of five sub 2:00 winners from five foals of racing age including the Group 2 winner Mirragon ($402,179) and the Listed winner The Cid ($101,291). 

The Waratah, a winner of six races, was a half-sister to the Australian 2YO and 3YO Filly of the Year Lady Waratah ($564,770), who, in turn, was the dam of the APG Gold Bullion victor Steno 1:51.9 ($512,493) and grand-dam of the Vicbred 2YO champion Stormryder ($228,880). 

Preparer Clive Dalton, of Fairhaven Farm said: “The colt has two-year-old stamped all over him.” 

Lot 28, a big, rangy Sweet Lou filly, ranks as a sister to the SA St Leger winner and Derby placegetter Cheerstolou ($80,315).  

Their dam, Murgenella (by Bettor’s Delight) was out of the Artsplace mare Contrapan, whose progeny include the NZ Derby and Jewels winner Border Control ($875,132) and the USA stakes winner Chasin Racin 1:51 ($769,795). 

Carrying a 3×4 cross to Artsplace, the filly looks an excellent dual purpose prospect. 

The other colt is Lot 61, a neat, compact youngster from the second crop of the top American colt pacer Bettor’s Wish ($2.6 million) out of the Life Sign mare Vouvray, a daughter of the imported American mare Racy Dragon. 

He’s a half-brother to four sub 2:00 winners including Foolish Pleasure ($144,295) and the Tasmanian Sweepstakes winner Vouvray Beach and from the family of the North America Cup victor David’s Pass. 

For full details of the Gange draft and all yearlings in the 2025 Melbourne Yearling Sale please visit APG’s Online Sales Catalogue or Register as a Buyer today! 

From APG Ltd