Evergreen pacer in career best form

What an incredible 2024 season owner Mick Maxfield had with evergreen pacer Max Delight, who took his earnings past $1 million, recorded a new lifetime mark of 1.49.6 and finished a gallant third in the Interdominion final at Menangle on December 14. 

The eight-year-old began the year with a win in the Group 2 Bendigo Cup in January and his form never slipped. He missed the top five just three times in 27 starts, all in top company, and earned $338,000. 

His other wins were in the Group 3 Renshaw Cup, the Italian Cup and three consecutive victories at Menangle in July/August. 

His grand circuit form was exemplary – third in the AG Hunter Cup and Len Smith Mile and fourth in the Victoria Cup before three top five finishes in the Inters heats in December to qualify for the $500,000 final. 

Maxfield created an Australian record when he bought Max Delight for $245,000 at the 2017 APG yearling sale. He has now won $1.2 million in stakes. 

The son of Bettors Delight was the second foal of star race mare Lady Euthenia (1.53.3, $460K) and was a standout in the ring. 

And he turned out to have the golden cross of Bettors Delight over an Art Major mare that has also produced multi-millionaire stallion Leap To Fame. 

Max Delight had a solid 2YO season, winning four races. He blossomed at three, winning the NSW Derby, Tasmanian Derby and colts Breeders Crown final. 

His grand circuit breakthrough came with a win in the $300,000 Victoria Cup in 2021, followed by a solid Interdominion series that culminated in a fourth placed finish in the final. 

Maxfield will offer three youngsters at the 2025 APG Melbourne Yearling Sale on February 2 – a colt and two fillies. 

The colt, Lot 23, is by high speed stallion Lather Up from Tasmanian free-for-all mare Mavis Merle (1.58.4, $109K), who 14 races – four as a 3Yo, including the Tamanian fillies championship. 

Lather Up became the equal-fastest pacer in the world when he stopped the clock at 1.46 in the US.  

He has thrown six 2YO seven winners from his first Australian crop of 48 foals. 

Lot 52 is a full sister to smart 2024 2YO Okanui Beach by Downbytheseaside from Sporty Max. 

Okanui Beach (1.53.2, $54K) has been in outstanding form in the second half of the season, winning three of his last four starts – including the $60,000 Dandy Patch Stakes in Tasmania. 

This filly’s grandam is a half sister to Victory Spirit (1.53, $282K) and United We Stand (1.56.7, $135K) from the family of the all-conquering Lazarus (1.48.6, $4.4M). 

Lot 58 is a filly by mega sire Sweet Lou from Somebeachsomewhere mare Tina Louette. 

Sweet Lou mares have had an outstanding year on Australian tracks. Steno won seven city races in WA and took her stakes to more than $500,000, Eye Keep Smiling ran fifth in the $2 million The Eureka and has earned $400,000 in stakes and Water Lou ($422K) won multi Group races. 

This filly’s fourth dam, Caressable, won $1 million in stakes on US tracks and left 11 winners – four of them earnt $250,000 or more. 

For full details of Maxfield’s entries and all yearlings in the 2025 Melbourne Yearling Sale please visit our Online Sales Catalogue or Register as a Buyer today! 

From APG Ltd