Kountry Lane Standardbreds acquire another ‘Down Under’ star

In an Australasian record for online sales company Gavelhouse Standardbred, dual group one winning harness racing mare, Carla’s Pixel (Courage Under Fire) shattered the ceiling on what many thought to be possible for a broodmare sale down under.

Offered on account of Nixon Bloodstock, the half sister to millionaire Soho Tribeca and multiple stakes performed siblings was knocked down to leading international bloodstock agent John Curtin of JC International Ltd.

The final figure?

An incredible $300,000NZD, which, according to long-time Australasian bloodstock agent Peter Lagan, would be a Southern Hemisphere record regardless of platform.

“I was having a think about this last night and I can’t think of a broodmare or race mare off the track even privately for that sort of money. Those types of opportunities don’t come around very often with good families like that, and it’s great for the industry,” he said.

Curtin agreed and was only too pleased to facilitate the deal on behalf of Ola Yoder, who owns and operates Kountry Lane Standardbreds on the outskirts of Indiana.

“Kountry Lane Standardbred’s have emerged as one of the leading standardbred breeding entities anywhere in the world and have put significant resources into procuring and developing an elite broodmare band in recent years.

“The mare is likely to stay in Australia until she produces her foal, and once weaned will leave for North America with a view to producing elite pacers for their market,” he said.

While some might lament the fact that a mare of this calibre is leaving the down under market, it illustrates a growing trend of Down Under horses and their growing value in the offshore markets which is an opportunity to be relished and developed upon wherever possible.

Kountry Lane Standardbred’s already own some of ‘down unders’ elite pacing broodmare prospects with the likes of Shartin N, Amazing Dream, Seaswfit Joy, Soho Burning Love and Bettor Joy already on the books.

Yoder was thrilled to secure another high quality addition for his burgeoning bloodstock business.

“Kountry Lane Standardbred’s is thrilled to add Carla’s Pixel to our band of broodmares and we were excited about the opportunity to acquire her.

“She fits the prototype of what we are looking for, having the race credentials and family pedigree any buyer looks for when inspecting a yearling and we are excited at what the future may hold for this down under mare,” he said.

NZB and Gavelhouse Standardbred General Manager, Cam Bray was another who was naturally delighted with the result.

“The trend of the last few years is that the top end is healthy and if you have quality stock there will be buyers prepared to pay big money,” said Bray.

“But in saying that she exceeded expectations, no question. After it reached reserve I thought it would quieten down, but it went past $175,000 and then $200,000, never in a million years did we think we’d get $300,000. He (Nixon Bloodstock) was pretty emotional, and rightly so – it was a great result all round,” he said.

For those interested in where Carla’s Pixel will be headed and the calibre of mares she will eventually be joining, have a look at the following list of the top 10 (of 40+) by money won for an idea;

by Brad Reid, for Harnesslink