Inaugural Sunshine Stars Yearling Sale attracts interstate support

A strong benchmark of Victorian and NSW vendors and a powerful contingent of local harness racing breeders will be represented at the inaugural Sunshine Stars Yearling Sale to be conducted by Nutrien Equine at Magic Millions, Gold Coast on March 11 and 12.

Of the 136 entries, 49 are from non-Queensland vendors. Tumby Park has entered 18 lots, while the leading NSW stud Cobbitty Equine Farm, Benstud Standardbreds and Michael Taylor’s Trotters Australia have five entries each.

Other interstate vendors with multiple representation include Wingate Farms’ Jake Stockton (three) and Aaron Goadsby’s Goozdolphin Harness Racing, Harvey Kaplan and Rickie Alchin with two apiece.

Kevin and Kaye Seymour’s Solid Earth has the largest draft from the local brigade with 16 lots. Burwood Stud has 13 entries, Lindsay and Mary Vagg (nine), Trump Bloodstock (eight), Greg Mitchell’s GSM Racing (seven), Gayle Garrard (six), Monarch Farm (four) and Somerset Farms (two).

McWicked, the richest pacing stallion in history, USA 3YO Colt of the Year Downbytheseaside and the dual Derby winner Ohoka Punter have the joint largest entry with 10.

Sixty per cent of the listed entries are out of race-winning dams, 44 per cent are from sub 2:00 winners, 56 per cent are out of winner producers and 45 per cent from sub 2:00 producers.

All horses sold are eligible for both the Sunshine Stars Sale Race Series as well as the Nutrien Sales Race Series.

The Sunshine Stars Sale Race Series comprises Finals worth a guaranteed $125,000 for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings and $125,000 for two-year-old pacing fillies and $50,000 for two-year-old trotters to be conducted in 2024, $100,000 series for both three-year-old colts and geldings and fillies in 2025 and $50,000 races for four-year-old pacing entires and geldings and mares in 2026.

The Nutrien Sales Race Series carrying guaranteed Finals prize money of $175,000 for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings and $175,000 for two-year-old pacing fillies and $62,500 races for both two-year-old trotting colts and geldings and fillies will be staged in 2024.

The three-year-old series, to be run in 2025, boasts separate $100,000 classics for pacing colts and geldings and fillies and separate $125,000 classics for trotting colts and geldings and fillies.

Yearlings sustained and paid up for the Nutrien Sales Race Series receive automatic entry into the draw to win a Tuza two-horse angle load float, generously donated by Matt Tuza from Tuza Floats.

“The Sunshine Stars/Nutrien Equine Sale is the best value sale anywhere in Australasia where horses race for total prizemoney of $1,425,000,” Albion Park Harness Racing Club vice-chairman Greg Mitchell said.

“If your horse is eligible for QBRED, the value rises to over $2 million.”

For more information phone Mark Barton 0419 488 256 or click here.

by Peter Wharton