Shard Farm’s presentation for Sales

Successful vendors Mark and Debbie Smith of Shard Farm in Southland are presenting another strong draft of sixteen potential harness racing champions at this month’s NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales in Christchurch.

The SBSR breeders have a mixture of stock from their own mares p3lus some quality outside yearlings, led by a full brother to multiple Group One winning mare Amazing Dream.

Mark and Debbie comment on each of their yearlings below;

Lot 135 – Marble Arch – Bay colt Always B Miki – Delightful Shard (Bettor’s Delight)

This colt is out of an unraced Bettor’s Delight mare that’s had one foal (Onyx Shard) to the races, winning for Ray Green. The bay’s second dam Shards A Flyin is a sister to 2000 -2001 NZ Pacer of the Year Sly Flyin, which won twenty nine races including three Group Ones.

“He’s a pocket rocket and it looks like he’ll go as a two year old. Generally, Miki’s aren’t two year olds but he’s compact and it looks like he’ll run early. Onyx Shard won at two.”

Lot 141 – Riviera Shard – Bay filly Downbytheseaside – Dolce Denario (Mach Three)

Riviera Shard is Dolce Denario’s third foal whose only foal to race to date, Rakero Slammer, (Rock N Roll Heaven) has won five races and has been placed over a mile in 1-52.8. Riviera Shard has thirteen race winner Gomeo Romeo (Presidential Ball) in her pedigree.

“She’s a big filly and quite leggy. She’s closely bred up to Mach Three, so it’ll be interesting to see what the buyers think about her line breeding. She looks the part. The photos will tell you that.”

Lot 187 – Blackaz – Bay colt Lazarus – Ideal Legs (American Ideal)

This colt is out of a half-sister to Benji, the winner of twelve races including the G3 Chandon Four Year Old Classic at Gloucester Park. Picobello (Christian Cullen) is another good race mare in this colt’s immediate family.  She paced a mile in 1-52.3 and won eight races. She is the dam of Interest Free, the winner of fifteen.

“If you look at his photos, he’s outstanding. He’s got presence, a brilliant top line and a big back end on him. He’s got two year old written all over him. He looks like his father.” 

Lot 200  – Cohen Shard – Brown colt Captain Crunch – Karapiro (Well Said)

Cohen Shard named after Olympic rower Nathan Cohen, is the second foal out of Karapiro. The colt’s second dam Art Lover (Artsplace) has left three winners including Our Classical Art (Mach Three) thirteen wins. Her dam Under Cover Lover won four Group One races including the New Zealand, Great Northern and NSW Oaks.

“He’s dark and handsome and has a beautiful top line. The first foal out of Karapiro (Hudson) was bought by Kirstin Green and she spoke highly of him but unfortunately he broke a leg. We’re really pleased with the way this yearling has come up. He’s quite a big solid horse.” 

Lot 215 – Kings Choice – Brown colt What The Hill – Liberty City (The Pres)

Kings Choice is a half-brother to rising star trotting filly Empire City, (Volstead) who won four of her six starts as a two year old last season. Her wins included the G1 Ace of Hearts, G2 Sires Stakes Two Year Old Championship and Listed Two Year Old Fillies Classique.

This family runs deep and Kings Choice has Chiola Lass, (Chiola Hanover) the 2021 Trotting Broodmare of the Year, and the twenty two race winner mare Allegro Agitato (Sundon) in his pedigree.

“He was beautiful to handle when he came here as a weanling. He’s a magnificent looking colt.”

Lot 241 – Miracle Miki – Bay filly Always B Miki – Natal Franco (Badlands Hanover)

Out of New Zealand record holder Natal Franco this filly comes from a family with a strong list of race winning females. Natal Franco has left Delightful Catherine (Bettor’s Delight) twenty two USA wins and $491,810 and Princess Arts (Art Major) seven wins. Princess Arts is also the dam of Cup Class pacer Alta Wiseguy.

“This is her last foal. She’s big and solid like her previous foal Chapel Gate (Vincent) that Tony Herlihy has got. She’s not a typical Miki. She’s a good solid chick and will go as a two year old.”

Lot 257 – Rosa Shard – Bay filly Captain Crunch – Priscilla Shard (Western Ideal)

Rosa Shard’s dam Priscilla Shard is a half-sister to a host of black type winners such as Likmesiah, Mighty Cullen, Mighty Shard and Mister Presley.

As a broodmare Priscilla Shard has left Romeo Shard (Bettor’s Delight) 4 wins, Juliette Shard 1 win and placegetter Aye Aye Captain (Captaintreacherous).

“Brent White bought the half-sister (Shard’s Lyric) last year and he’s telling me she’ll be running round as a two year old. This filly (Rosa Shard) has got a bit of class about her.”

Lot 283 – Shards Aviator – Bay filly Bettor’s Delight – Shards Echo (Changeover)

Shards Echo has had two foals to the races and both have been winners. Soho Whisper (Art Major) is the winner of eight races. She was placed in the G2 West Australian Diamond Classic and WA Western Crown. The mare’s other foal Van Shard (Art Major) has won twice. This filly’s pedigree also includes millionaire pacer Smiling Shard (17 wins), Mach Shard and Pemberton Shard.

“She’s amazing to look at. She’s well put together and she’ll run as a two year old. She’s related to Smiling Shard, Mach Shard and Pemberton Shard and this filly’s got all their attributes.”

Lot 290 – Ra Shard – Bay colt Downbytheseaside – Shards Of Myross (McArdle)

This colt is a half-brother to Group One winning pacer Himself (Sportswriter). Himself has won fourteen races in Australia and $326,931. Shards Of Myross’s other winner Cyren Shard (Vincent) won three of her twelve starts as a three year old.

Second dam She’s Mighty has produced Mighty Cullen (51 wins and $642,940), Likmesiah (13 wins and $427,964) and Mister Presley (16 wins).

“Himself is still winning in Western Australia and this guy is a must see especially for WA buyers.”

Lot 333 – Shards Eclipse – Bay filly Always B Miki – Zariya (Bettor’s Delight)

This filly’s dam, qualified mare Zariya has left three Art Major foals of racing age. Pacing Hope has won eight races while Major Grace is the winner of nine races in Australia. Savarna has been placed three times in nine starts. This filly’s family also includes Pacing Major (Art Major) 30 wins and $689,165 and All You Need Is Faith (Art Major) 38 wins and $645,165.

“Major Grace has been doing a great job in Australia. She won seven in a row when she went over there. Shards Eclipse is a really nice filly.”

Lot 339 – Critical Image – Bay colt Always B Miki – All Time Glory (Christian Cullen)

All Time Glory has an impressive CV with all seven of her foals of racing age qualifying. Five of those have won races; Rock N Shard (27 wins), Crackamoa (11 wins), Burghley Shard (9 wins), Dalton Shard (5 wins and 1-52.4) and Wecandream (3 wins).

Second dam Quest For Glory left the unbeaten New Age Man (12 wins) and Cool Age Man (37 wins).

“He’s Dalton Shard’s full brother. He’s got a fabulous top line and looks like a horse ready to race. He’s quite leggy and has got the body to match and I reckon he’ll make a nice two year old.”

Lot 345 – Mikime – Bay colt Always B Miki – Allabout Time (Bettor’s Delight)

This yearling is the first foal out of the lightly raced one win Bettor’s Delight mare Allabout Time. Second dam La Soiree (Dream Away) won five races and has left Anthem (Bettor’s Delight) the winner of thirteen races in America and the recently exported Bach (Bettor’s Delight) which won eight for Robert and Jenna Dunn.

“He’s a leggy Miki who is well put together.”

Lot 351 – Treacherous Dreams – Bay colt Captaintreacherous – Allaboutdreams (Bettor’s Delight)

Treacherous Dreams is the first foal out of the black type race winning mare Allaboutdreams. There’s plenty of rich American blood in this colt’s pedigree with Artsplace appearing in both the stallion and mare’s bloodlines. Second dam Gentle Audrey has left sixteen foals with eleven making it to the races and all being multiple winners.

“He’s been lovely to handle, is very well put together and looks the part. If anyone wants a Captaintreacherous he’s one to look at.”

Lot 357 – Downbythebeach – Bay colt Downbytheseaside – Allaboutjoy (Art Major)

Downbythebeach is from one of Southland’s best known families. Dam Allaboutthejoy (Art Major) won once and is a sister to Jumpingjoy. Second dam Jumpforjoy (Bettor’s Delight) won seven races including the G2 Southland Oaks. She was placed third in the G1 Three Year Old Diamond. She’s the dam of Jumpingjackmac (Mach Three) the winner of seventeen races and Somejoy (8 wins and 1-53.2).

“He’s a typical Downbytheseaside and he’ll take a bit of time to grow into himself. He’s from a fabulous family and well put together. He may take a bit of time.”

Lot 374 – Tomogalak – Bay colt Bettor’s Delight – Bridesdale Robyn (Christian Cullen)

Tomogalak is the second foal and only colt out of seven win mare Bridesdale Robyn. Second dam Robyn’s Treasure won the DB Fillies and New Oaks double as a three year old. Other major winners in this colt’s pedigree are Robyn’s Cullen (9 wins), Rob’s Ideal (7 wins), Von Art (14 wins) and Salty Robyn (34 wins).

“He arrived here as a foal and he’s now a man. When Judy (Dillon) came to see him she just couldn’t believe he was the same horse. He’s got a Bettor’s Delight head on him and glides round the paddock. He knows he’s good.”

Lot 387 – Divine Dream – Bay colt by Bettor’s Delight – Christian Dreamer (Christian Cullen)

This colt is a full brother to Amazing Dream. She won ten Group One races across New Zealand and Australia and took home $1,963,535 in stakes. Christian Dreamer’s other major winner Chase the Dream, (Bettor’s Delight) won twenty four races including two Group Ones.

“He’s got one dam on the page. He’s cool and perhaps the stroppiest colt we’ve got but he’s very respectful of humans. He’s got a Bettor’s Delight head on him.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink