FREE services to lure breeders back to the barn

Very few things in life are free…but for Victorian harness racing breeders, a service to a topline trotting or pacing sire could be this season!

And there are no strings attached but breeders need to act fast.

Three Victorian Clubs have combined to offer giveaway services to sires Lather Up, Classic Connection, Rock N Roll Heaven, Dancinginthedark and Downbytheseaside, valued at up to $9900 each.

“We realise it’s getting a little late in the breeding season, but we’re hoping to entice broodmare owners to breed a mare they might otherwise have decided not to put in foal this year,” explained Cranbourne HRC President David Scott.

Clubs, studs and kindred bodies are pulling out all stops to entice reluctant breeders after confirmation of cuts by Harness Racing Victoria to the State’s futurity scheme VicBred.

Despite the difficulties, they’re taking a long term view, saying maintaining breeding levels will be critical to future recovery for the industry.

Cranbourne and sister clubs Ballarat and Kilmore have purchased bookings for five sires, and all owners need to do is fill in a registration form and email each club to register before noon on the day of the draw.

The services to Lather Up and Classic Connection will be drawn at the Ballarat meeting this Thursday (Nov 7); Rock N Roll Heaven and Dancinginthedark at Cranbourne (Sunday Nov 10) and Downbytheseaside at Kilmore (Nov 14).

“You can participate in more than one club draw and you don’t need to be on course to win – but of course we would welcome your attendance!” Scott said.

Woodlands Stud has provided two services in the draw.

Lather Up (I’m Gorgeous) is one of the greatest horses of his time. He broke two world records and became the fastest four-year-old horse in history, the equal fastest over a mile and the fastest over a mile and one eighth during his career on the track.  Value $4950 inc GST.

Downbytheseaside (Somebeachsomewhere) is producing quality winners in Australasia and is the hottest sire in North America.  His progeny have him leading or a close second or third on the 2023 two and three year old US leaderboards and he was also leading 3-year-old sire overall in 2022.  He was leading first season sire in his debut season and second overall, only behind Captaintreacherous. Value $9900 inc GST.

Haras De Trotteurs offers Classic Connection, the son of the mighty trotting sire Love You. Classic Connection is a European Gr 1 winner and multiple Gr 2 and 3 winner in France. His dam, Crys Dream was USA 2yo Filly of the Year and his first crop of yearlings sold at up to $75,000 at the Australian sales. Value $3850 inc GST.

Rock N Roll Heaven (Rocknroll Hanover), from Alabar Farms, is a top five Australian pacing sire for the past five years. He is the sire of 20 Gr 1 winners (including superstar pacer Swayzee) and 61 stakes winners.  Rock N Roll Heaven is ultra-reliable as a sire, with 77% winners to starters ratio. Value $6600 inc GST.

Aldebaran Park is offering a free service to the fastest trotter ever to stand in Australasia, Dancinginthedark (Readly Express). At two he won the $105,000 Bluegrass Stakes in Kentucky, and at three he defeated star juvenile Venerate in the $250,000 Kentucky Championship Series Final in 1:49.3 (last quarter 26.8). His first Australian crop was in 2023. Value $4400 inc GST.

Registration forms are available click here

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink