Durham Park has been one of Victoria’s most successful standardbred nurseries for 20 years, with progeny winning more than 1,400 races and prizemoney in excess of $15 million, including 15 Group 1 winners.
Following on from a reduction sale in May, they are offering four mares and six weanlings in our upcoming online Winter Mix Sale.
Stud principal Bruce Edward said that with four retired racemares including Group 1 winners Iveseenheavenslight and Draw A Dream entering the broodmare herd, the farm needs to move older mares on.
“We always try to provide value for buyers when selling broodmares. Three of the mares being offered, including two imported from the USA, are in foal to exciting first season sire Act Now,” Edward said.
Bruce points to the success of previously sold older broodmares, including the in-foal O Narutac Bella USA, who was sold to Atworthy Park, with the foal subsequently reaching $100,000 at the Nutrien Melbourne yearling sale.
Another example is The Baggy Green, who was sold in-foal to long-time breeders Sue and John Markham, with the foal reaching their highest ever price of $100,000 at our Sydney yearling sale.
Bruce said that the six weanlings being offered provide buyers an opportunity to secure quality animals at exceptional value. He estimates that removing sale’s preparation costs and commission provides savings of $8-16,000 for buyers.
“Over the last few years we have started to sell more weanlings out of the paddock, to reduce our workload at yearling sale time and to provide a lower cost entry point for purchasers,” he said.
“It’s been successful for us and for buyers, with Keayang Sweetheart, Keayang Seaside and Keayang Payton being good examples of horses purchased as weanlings”.
The weanlings on offer in the APG sale include three by Pebble Beach, including a half- brother to Group 1 winner Beyond Delight, and two Ride High fillies, including a half sister to Major Major who has racked up nearly a quarter of a million dollars in prize money so far.
Bruce said that in the past Durham Park has bred up to 29 mares each year, and offered all progeny at yearling sales. As a result of the soft market in Victoria, he plans to reduce this number, targeting 10-15 yearlings for the Melbourne sales each year, while aiming to sell more weanlings out of the paddock.
Bidding opens on Sunday, August 16 at 12 noon and closes on Monday, August 17 at 5pm. For more information on these and other Lots, check the catalogue and register as a bidder today!
From APG Media
