Lazarus’ little bro steals show
He might not have fetched the top price on the final day of standardbred sales yesterday, but lot 421 easily attracted the most attention.
The Bettor’s Delight colt eventually sold for $120,000 to the bid of Canterbury trainer Nigel McGrath on day two of the New Zealand Premier Yearling Sale in Christchurch.
If he ends up having a quarter of his older half brother’s ability, McGrath will be more than happy.
Named Artstanding, the Art Major colt is a half brother to Saturday’s Miracle Mile favourite Lazarus.
Offered by Mosgiel breeder Gavin Chin, Artstanding is just the third foal from Christian Cullen mare Bethany.
Lazarus, the 10 length winner of the New Zealand Trotting Cup, has already banked more than $2 million in stakes before the Miracle Mile and is still only a fouryear-old.
McGrath said Artstanding being so closely related to the champion pacer was an obvious attraction but he also liked what he saw in the colt.
‘‘He’s a nice article himself with a good page and he’s by Art Major. He ticked all the boxes.
‘‘I really like the horse and being a half to Lazarus played a big part in it,’’ McGrath said.
McGrath only set eyes on the colt for the first time on Wednesday morning but, like everyone present on the final day of the PGG Wrightson Standardbred sales, had him marked in the catalogue a long time ago.
‘‘He took my eye, that’s for sure,’’ McGrath said of the athletic colt.
He was surprised he did not have to go higher to purchase him.
But not even the half brother to one of the best pacer’s is the world could match the top lot of $150,000.
Named Cheer The Major, lot 439, an Art Major colt out of Bettor’s Delight mare Cheer The Lady was sold to an unknown buyer.
Cheer The Lady was an Oaks winner and twice Group I placed when trained by Barry Purdon.
Late in the day, Artstanding’s $120,000 price tag was matched twice.
Ironically, one of the purchasers was Trevor Casey, part of the ownership team who race Lazarus.
Casey’s bid took home lot 438, an Art Major colt of Christian Cullen mare Christian Dreamer.
Named Dream Major, the colt is half brother to open class pacer Chase The Dream.
Canterbury trainer Mark Jones also went to $120,000 to secure lot 495, a Bettor’s Delight filly out of another Christian Cullen mare Gotta Go Harmony.
The filly named Harmony Delight, is well credentialed on pedigree.
Gotta Go Harmony was a Harness Jewels winner at two and went on to be Group I placed behind De Lovely in the 2010 Queen Of Hearts.
Just two other lots made it to six figures yesterday. Tara Bromac, lot 387, a Bettor’s Delight filly out of Te Amo Bromac was sold to Cran Dalgety for $110,000.
Bred by Bromac Lodge, Tara Bromac is the first foal out of Mach Three mare and dual Group I placegetter Te Amo Bromac who won seven races.
Lincoln Farms went to $100,000 to secure lot 426, Trojan Banner.
The Bettor’s Delight out of Washington VC mare Caitlin Banner was bred by Banner Bloodstock.