By Peter Wharton
An outstanding record in producing winners of the Redcliffe Sales Classic and a solid reputation for ‘meeting the market’ should ensure that the Burwood Stud draft at the Garrard’s Redcliffe Yearling Sale on Sunday, March 24 will attract plenty of attention.
The Darling Downs-based stud has bred, prepared or stood the sire of no less than eight of the 15 Redcliffe Sales Classic two-year-old winners in Teddy Disco (2021), Governor Jujon (2019), Heart Of Change (2016), Leos Best (2015), Mathilda Diventa (2014), Designer Style (2013), Couldntresist (2012) and Cha Ching Chaching (2011).
The ‘Class of 2024’ comprises six yearlings – four colts and two fillies – by leading colonial bred sires from the best maternal families available in Australasia.
The colts out of the grand producers Holme Call NZ (Lot 38) and Atom Bomb Angel NZ (Lot 18) are the last foals of their dams.
Lot 38, a well grown, athletic colt by Bling It On out of the Holmes Hanover mare Holme Call is probably the pick of the bunch, according to Burwood Stud manager Noel Denning.
“He’s from a good family that has produced three Redcliffe Sales Classic winners in Shes Miss Divine, Mathilda Diventa and Couldntrestist,” Denning said.
Lot 18, a lovely colt by the Australian and New Zealand 2YO Colt of the Year Follow The Stars ranks as a half-brother to four sub 2:00 winners including the Redcliffe Sales Classic 3YO winner Dapper Bessie and place getter Baroness Laroche.
Another colt that is certain to attract plenty of admirers is Lot 3, by the 2YO Colt of the Year and emerging, young sire The Storm Inside from the Grinfromeartoear mare In The Midnight Hour NZ, dam of the Canberra Cup winner Justa Little Bit ($209,488) and Midnight Somewhere.
“I do really like this colt. He’s a very nice type,” Denning said.
Burwood Stud is also presenting two yearlings from the second last crop of the thrice Group 1 NZ bred horse Franco Nelson.
One is Lot 11, a well put together colt from the 19-win mare Glenisla NZ (1:54.8), and is her second foal.
“His two-year-old full brother has been broken in and does everything right and has already been to the trials,” Denning said.
The other Franco Nelson is Lot 49, a very athletic filly out of the 100 percent producer Happy Huntress, a half-sister to the former top flight race mare Heavens Trend ($385,683).
Burwood Stud is also offering a For A Reason filly from the family of the QBRED Triad winner How Will I Know on behalf of Denning’s son Jonathan and his wife Megan as Lot 52.
“She’s an athletic filly who had a lot of interest at our Parade day,” Denning said.
All horses sold at the sale will be eligible to compete in the $175,000 Redcliffe Sale Race Classic for two-year-olds in 2025 and the $50,000 Sale Race Classic for three-year-olds in 2026.
Hard copy catalogues are available from the Redcliffe Harness Racing Club, all Garrard’s Horse & Hound stores or phone auctioneer Darren Ebert on 0410 688 176.
To view the online catalogue for the 2024 Garrard’s Redcliffe Yearling Sale log onto www.darrenebertauctioneer.com.au