The Five Twenty Equine approach to breeding & racing

Kym Shingleton, trading as Five Twenty Equine Breeding, is a relative newcomer to harness racing but she has 30 years of horse breeding experience to fall back on as she builds her band of quality broodmares. 

“I breed Welsh ponies. My mum has bred them since the 1970s but we really ramped up the operation in the early 2000s,” Shingleton said. “We have six Welsh B stallions, including a sire imported from America, and breed 10 to 15 foals a year” 

“They are a breed for all the family. You can use them for pony club, showing, dressage and show jumping. We also put them over Thoroughbred and Arab mares to produce versatile mounts for adult riders.” She continues. “It has given me a lifetime of knowledge on foaling and nutrition for young horses.” 

“My husband Brett was the one interested in harness racing and we started out breeding a couple to race but I decided if we were going to do it, we should breed to sell commercially. I have two yearlings in the sale this year and will have five next year.” 

“I have nine broodmares. Arma Indie (1.54.7, $176K) and Alta Louisa (1.57, $79K) are the latest to join the team but we have also bought mares from the eastern states – we are just looking for the best bloodlines available. And we put them to top line stallions.” 

Shingleton and Davis have a couple of pacers racing at the moment. 

Haywire won at Bunbury on February 3 for trainer Sarah Wall and finished runner-up at Gloucester Park on February 13. 

Eye-catching two-year-old colt Drill Sergeant will have his first start in the APG Sales Classic heats at Gloucester Park on Tuesday. 

“We bred Haywire (1.57.7, $46K) and he has been a good earner for us,” Shingleton said. “We also bred and raced Unearthed as a two and three-year-old. Drill Sergeant was passed in at the sale last year but (trainer) Ryan Bell has good things to say about him so we are excited about his potential.” 

Five Twenty Equine will offer two fillies at this year’s APG Perth Yearling Sale on March 3. 

Lot 402 is a filly by Downbytheseaside from young Bettors Delight mare Verdello. This cross has produced champion filly Sea Silk (1.50.2, $1mil) in the US. 

Verdello is is a half sister to promising two-year-old winner Stapleton from the family of outstanding race mare Steady Lady, who rated 1.55.4 and won $247,000 in the early 1980s. 

“This filly is a lovely type. She is a big strong filly and has a bolshy nature, like her mother,” Shingleton said. “Her dam fractured a pastern and didn’t race but she has the bloodlines, attitude and type to be a good producer.” 

Lot 453 is the only Lazarus filly in the sale. She is the first foal of speedy Art Major mare Helgart (1.53.6, $39K). 

This filly’s grandam is a half sister to 3YO NZ Sires Stakes winner Our Golden Goddess (1.53.1, $442K). Her fourth dam Sabilize won the Miracle Mile and produced million dollar earner Sushi Sushi. 

“Helgart’s trainer Matthew Craven was asking about her foal last year because he rated her as a race horse but we told him he was a year too early,” Shingleton said. “She is a typical first foal, a bit on the smaller side, but she has the wow factor and is quick across the paddock.” 

All the youngsters are reared on Shingleton and Davis’ 100-acre property in Gidgegannup. 

“They grow up on the hills,” Shingleton said. “They roam in nice big groups and they have plenty of room to run. We think it will prepare them for the rigors of a successful two-year-old campaign.” 

For full details and catalogued yearlings in the 2024 Australian Pacing Gold Yearling Sales please visit our Online Sales Catalogue or Register as a Buyer now.

From APG Ltd