By Peter Wharton
Chris Garrard OAM is without doubt one of the doyens of harness racing in Queensland.
The founder of the Garrard’s Horse & Hound group of companies, Chris has been a successful breeder, owner, trainer, driver and administrator.
He was president of the Redcliffe Harness Racing Club for many years and is Patron and a life member of the club and also served on the Board and is a life member at Albion Park.
A member of the Order of Australia and the Queensland Harness Racing Hall of Fame, Chris was the Queensland representative on Harness Racing Australia and a director of Australian Pacing Gold.
Among the best horses he’s raced have been Seafield Pearl, Mathilda Diventa, Art Review, Invincible Barnes and Invincible Loxton.
“Dad has a massive love for Redcliffe,” his son Daren, the managing director of Garrard’s Horse & Hound, said.
Chris Garrard is dually represented at the Garrard’s Redcliffe Yearling Sale on Sunday, March 24 by two lovely, well grown colts by the leading Queensland-based sire Changeover.
The first one is Lot 15, the third foal out of the Cammibest mare Mad Milly, who is being offered by Chris and his daughter-in-law, Gayle.
Mad Milly, who was unraced, is a half-sister to the QBRED Triad 2YO Final winner Changeoverme ($85,031).
“Mad Milly’s first foal Mullum Hank qualified recently in 2:02 and her second foal Whykikamoocow has already had two starts as a two-year-old racing against older maidens,” Daren said.
The second half of the Garrard draft is Lot 24, the second offspring of the Cammibest mare Sixpenny Evens, a granddaughter of the champion NSW race mare Four Penny Dark ($300,174).
“Her first foal is a two-year-old who is being trained by Steve Turnbull,” Daren said.
Meanwhile, there will be a touch of nostalgia for North Maclean couple Laurie and Lin Feehely when a lovely Ohoka Punter filly steps into the ring as Lot 25 at the Garrard’s Redcliffe Yearling Sale on Sunday, March 24.
The filly’s dam, Party In Paris, was bought by the pair at the original Redcliffe sale back in 2008.
The Partywiththebigdog mare went on to win eight races and was named Redcliffe Mare of the Year.
At the stud Party In Paris has carried on the good work, leaving five foals for five starters and four winners, including three in 2:00.
Perhaps the best of her produce is the talented Ohoka Punter gelding Ellis Street, a heat winner of the Redcliffe Sales Classic and runner-up in the Paleface Adios Classic and a recent winner at Albion Park.
Others from Party In Paris to win have been Favreau (13 wins and $79,023), Party Polotix (seven wins) and Cocoa Cheval.
Laurie, who conducts a limousine car service and transports semen from horse studs, has raced countless winners over many years. Lawlin’s Playboy, a Limited Partner gelding who won 17 races, is one of the best he’s raced.
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 logo onto www.darrenebertauctioneer.com.au