Eleven top line yearlings for Taffy Limited

Southlanders Todd and Fleur Anderson have been buying Standardbred bloodstock under the Taffy Limited umbrella since entering the harness racing and breeding industry back in 2014.

With his stud stock experience in sheep, cattle and deer, Todd utilises the same principles of genetics when making decisions about bloodstock. His judgement has proven to be very successful with the stud acquiring some of New Zealand’s best broodmares.

Taffy Limited had a very successful sale last year, with four lots selling for over $100,000. Their top lot was a Bettor’s Delight colt out of Safedra which sold for $230,000. Their other top lots were Bettor’s Delight – Supersonic Miss $165,000, Muscle Hill – Paramount Faith $130,000 and a Tactical Landing colt out of San Diego Love which was knocked down for $100,000.

Laura Smith is preparing the eleven well-bred colts that are on offer at this month’s sale.

Lot 133 Bay colt Captaintreacherous – Delight In Me (Bettor’s Delight)

This colt is out of the two win race mare Delight In Me who was Group 1 placed 3 times and descends from one of the hottest families in Australasia. The yearling’s second dam the broodmare sensation Splendid Dreams leaving 9 foals to race for 9 winners. Her headline acts have been Christen Me, Dream About Me and Hands Christian who are all Group 1 winners. Christen Me has one of the best harness racing CVs going around. His thirty two wins in Australasia include Group 1 features Taylor Mile, NZ Messenger, Auckland Cup, Four Year Old Emerald, NZ FFA, Easter Cup, Victoria Cup, Miracle Mile, Hunter Cup and Chariots of Fire. In all he won ten G1s and added nineteen American wins to his achievements.

Splendid Dream’s other outstanding foal was Dream About Me. She won eight Group 1s in New Zealand including the Nevele R Fillies Series Final, New Zealand Oaks, and Auckland Cup. In Australia she won a Breeders Crown for Two Year Old Fillies, NSW Oaks and Ladyship Mile, all Group 1 races.

“He’s a later foal (10th December) but he’s a really good size and quite well grown. Sometimes the December foals can be a little bit more immature than some of the others, but this boy has come out and has got a bit of presence,” Smith said.

Lot 146 Bay colt Captaintreacherous – Dream On Me (Bettor’s Delight)

This yearling is a full blood brother to lot 133 and by Captaintreacherous, one of the world’s most sought after stallions. In America he’s produced the most 1.55 or better two year olds (45), and he also leads the 1:52 or better three year old pacers list (38).

Dream On Me is out of Splendid Dreams 2015-2016 Broodmare of the Year and 2021 Pacing Broodmare of Excellence which recognises that she has left 9 foals to the races for 9 winners with 3 of them being Group 1 winners, which is a very rare achievement. Dream On Me won two of her three races as a three year old and this colt is her first foal. Her pedigree extends to star racetrack performers Imagine Me (Granddam of Merlin), Dream About Me, Christen Me and Hands Christian. This is one of the most consistent producing families in Australasia.

“This is the first foal from her. He’s a lovely Captaintreacherous who is hard to fault. He’s keen in his work and has pretty good manners. I’ve had no problems with him at all.” 

Lot 167 Bay colt Pastor Stephen – Girls On Film (Muscle Hill)

By a millionaire son of Cantab Hall and a full brother to Father Patrick this colt is the third foal out of the three win Muscle Hill mare Girls On Film. Her first foal is a 3yo filly by Father Patrick who has had 9 starts for 1 win and 2 placings including second in the 2yo Fillies Ace of Hearts Group 1. Her dam Regal Volo is the dam of Twentyten (Muscle Yankee) 18 wins who was also the 2013-14 Australian Three Year Old Trotter of the Year. Regal Volo is also the dam of High Gait, a fifteen win mare who’s the dam of Father Patrick fillies High Energy and High Step.

“He’s quite athletic. He has a bit of growing to do but he’s a lovely mover and enjoys running and floats round the paddock. I’ve heard from America that the Pastor Stephens have a bit more speed about them.”

Lot 258 Brown colt Bettor’s Delight – Platinum (Art Major)

This colt is out of a race winning daughter of De Lovely, the winner of twelve races with 6 at Group 1 level, including the G1 Harness Jewels Three Year Old Diamond, G1 New Zealand Oaks, the G1 Queen of Hearts and the G1 New Zealand Breeders Stakes.

Platinum won three races including a NZ Sires Stakes 2yo Heat and is a half-sister to Cole Porter the winner of the G3 New Zealand Sapling Stakes. Her pedigree extends back to Copper Beach which won the New Zealand and Victoria Oaks, both Group 1 features. Grand Prix pacer Catch A Wave is also on the pedigree page.

“He’s very confident. He looks very much like a Bettor’s Delight. He’s really powerful. When he moves you can’t help but take notice of him. He’s a lovely colt.”

Lot 271 Brown colt Bettor’s Delight – Safedra (Mach Three)

Safedra won eight races including the G2 Southland Oaks. As a broodmare she has an outstanding record having left Dr Susan (8 wins, 2 at Group 1 level and was Australian Three Year Old Pacing Filly of the Year), La Rosa five wins and Group 1 placed, and Buzinga seven wins and Group 1 placed across New Zealand, Australia and America.

Safedra is out of the very good race mare Sparks A Flyin 2000-2001 3yo Pacing Filly of the Year winning 21 races some at Group 1 level across NZ/Australia/USA.

“He too has a bit of presence about him, and he just floats round the paddock. He’s got a nice extension on him. He’s quite impressive to watch.”

Lot 278 Brown colt Six Pack – San Diego Love (Love You)

Sire of this colt Six Pack won close to $2 million and went 1.49.2 as a 3yo. The son of Muscle Mass, Six Pack’s wins included the Yonkers Trot and the Kentucky Futurity. He was also second in the Breeders Crown. This colt’s dam San Diego Love won four races and has Kyvalley Road (Lindy Lane) in her pedigree. Her Tactical Landing Colt last year sold for $100k to Tony Herlihy.

“He’s going to be a big horse but not too heavy. So far he’s been great to work with and hard to fault.”

Lot 299 Bay colt Captaintreacherous – Spanish Armada (Bettor’s Delight)

Spanish Armada won nineteen races including the Harness Jewels Three Year Old Diamond, the G1 New Zealand Oaks, the G1 New Zealand Sires Stakes, the Three Year Old Fillies Final and the G1 Nevele R Fillies Final. In all she won six Group 1 races, two Group Two and a Listed race. Her earnings over just nineteen starts were $787,471. The family of Supreme Dominator $340k Group 1 placed and Cheer the Lady $314k who won the NZ Oaks and the Australian Breeders Crown 3yo both at Group 1 level.

“Compared to her earlier foals who have been quite big and solid he’s a lot more like his mum. He’s nice to look at and quite a racy colt. He’s got a good work ethic. He likes to get out there and do his job in the yard. He’s one that just keeps growing on me.”

Lot 311 Bay colt Bettor’s Delight – Supersonic Miss (Mach Three)

Named Mr Supernova, this Bettor’s colt is the second foal of 2013-2014 Two Year Old Pacing Filly of the Year Supersonic Miss. Her New Zealand Group wins were in the G3 Leonard Memorial and the G1 Two Year Old Diamond.

She was stunning when racing in Australia, winning thirteen of her fifteen starts including the G1 NSWBC Three Year Old Fillies Final.

This colt’s second dam Bella Joy (Village Jasper) won seventeen races in Australia and is a half sister to Make Mine Cullen $874k.

“He’s a lot like his mum. He’s a nice average size. He’s got a great body and is a great mover. You can’t fault him, and he’s got a nice look about him.”

Lot 317 Bay colt Bettor’s Delight – Tandias Bromac (Art Major)

This colt is a full brother to The Falcon, the winner of seven races. He was placed third in the New Zealand Derby won by Krug.

Tandias Bromac is also the dam of Rumble Stride 1.52.6, the winner of five of his ten starts. Second dam Tandias Courage was Australian Two Year Old Pacing Filly of her year. This is the family of Aardies Express.

“He’s a pretty nice horse who’s pretty confident. He’s a nice size and a bit of a standout. It looks like he’ll get up and go early on.”

Lot 322 Bay colt Always B Miki – The Fascinator (Bettor’s Delight)

Side Hustle is out of the ten win Bettor’s Delight mare The Fascinator. Her pedigree has plenty of black type including Impish, Smart Son, Vanderel, Simon and Braeview Kelly 1.49.5 $434k.

The Fascinator is the dam of four to race for two winners – Mailman (10 wins) and Take A Bow (1 win).

“He’s a really nice sized colt by Always B Miki. He’s quite well developed. He’s got a beautiful neck into a lovely strong shoulder. People definitely take a second look at him.”

Lot 328 Bay colt Bettor’s Delight – The Orange Agent (American Ideal)

The Orange Agent set multiple NZ records and won twenty three of her thirty three starts including the G1 Northern Oaks, the G1 Nevele R Fillies Final, the G1 Three Year Old Diamond and the G1 New Zealand Breeders Stakes. She still holds the New Zealand Mile record for mares of 1-51.1. The Orange Agent won all five of her starts in Australia including the G1 Breeders Crown for Three Year Old Fillies and the G1 Queen Of The Pacific. She was able to compete in open class company winning the Group 2 Auckland Co op Taxis FFA beating Smolda, Have Faith in Me and Waikiki Beach.

This Bettor’s Delight colt is The Orange Agent’s second foal. Her first colt sold last year to Barry Purdon for $220k.

“This boy is almost a Christmas baby (23rd December) so he’s the youngest I’ve got. He’s quite a nugget colt. He’s got a lovely way of moving in the paddock and he covers the ground pretty well.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink