Inside Sarah Towers’ yearling preparations

Experienced horsewoman Sarah Towers is preparing a Downbytheseaside colt with an exceptional pedigree and is bred on the same cross that produced multi-millionaire Bythemissal in the US. 

Towers said the colt (Lot 383) out of Western Terror mare Soho Bordeaux was a standout in a quality draft of seven yearlings being set for the APG Sydney Yearling Sale on February 25. 

“He is stunning. He is well over 15hh and has a pleasing attitude,” she said. “He has a real rhythmic stride and is a gentleman – the kids can go and rug him in his yard without tying him up. He just has the attitude to be a good horse.” 

The colt is a half-brother to Victoria and NSW Oaks placegetter Soho Burning Love (1.48.2, $612K), who competed at top level throughout her two and three-year-old seasons and has won 16 races since going to the US. 

His third dam is superstar race mare Lombo Adreamin (1,56.8, $337K), who won nine races as a juvenile, including the Breeders Crown and the Edgar Tatlow Memorial. 

The cross of Downbytheseaside over mares by Western Hanover line stallions has proved a sensation in the US.  

Six-time Group 1 winner Bythemissal (Western Terror) has earnt $2.1 million and was named US Aged pacer of the year in 2023. The pairing also produced US 3YO colt of the year Pebble Beach (Western Ideal), winner of $1.9 million in stakes. 

Mares by Rocknroll Hanover, another son of Western Ideal, have produced 20 winners from 27 foals by Downbytheseaside on American tracks. 

So Lot 377, a filly by Downbytheseaside from Rock Hand should also attract the attention of breeding buffs. 

The youngster is from a family of speedy fillies and her fourth dam, Turn The Tide, was US 3YO filly of the year in 1983, winning four Group 1 races and $860,000 in stakes. 

Towers, a daughter of respected horseman Don Moon, has been involved in harness racing her whole life. She started out in mini trotting, got her reinswoman’s licence at 16 and eventually progressed to training. 

With her husband Michael, she trains a team of 20 pacers at their 40-acre Leeton property. 

She said the seven sale yearlings she is preparing for Jo Fulwood and Robert Ross were a quality group. 

“They arrived in very good order. They are well handled, which makes our job a lot easier,” she said. The Art Major colt from Soho Uptown Girl (Lot 384) is another that should stand out in the ring.” 

“He has come along in leaps and bounds. He has the Art Major looks – he is very upstanding – and he has the pedigree to go with it.” 

The colt is very closely related to Stars Align (1.48, $695K), who is a half-brother to Soho Uptown Girl by Art Major. 

Stars Align finished second in the 3YO Colts Victorian Sires Final and went on to win 30 races in the US. This is also the family of outstanding free-for-all performer Hexus ($555K). 

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From APG Ltd