Harness: Can lightning strike twice for Armitage Farm at Lexington?

There are many roads to success. Sometimes it takes years or decades to reach the highest levels of an industry. For Armitage Farm, which consigned the $750,000 day two sale-topper at the Lexington Selected Sale in 2025 despite it being their inaugural sale, the results were instant.

Perhaps instant is too strong of a word considering their $110,375 average for 16 horses (ranking third behind Kountry Lane Standardbred and All American Harnessbreds) wasn't achieved overnight. The mares were purchased two years prior, and the ownership group of Dr. Rita Armitage and Jim McLane had to wait for the dividends to pay off.

Now with that very successful first run at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavillion under their belts, Armitage is back with a somewhat bulkier 26-head for sale over the course of the four auction days and nights from October 5 to 8.

"I think as a team, we [learned a lot]," said Tim Hayes, assistant farm manager for Armitage. "I had a ton of experience from the sales just from all the time I was at Hanover. So, there was really nothing unexpected for me, because I'd been going to Lexington for many, many years as a trainer and then when I picked out horses for Bill Donovan. When I got to Hanover, I always went to Harrisburg. So, there's not a lot that's going to surprise me at a sale, but I think our team learned a lot as far as their experience from the sale."

The bulk of Armitage's yearlings will sell on days two and three, but that doesn't mean the consignment isn't filled with powerful pedigrees that any perspective buyer would love to go home with at auction's end.

"I think we have a lot of nice horses. Our pedigrees are starting to get better and better each year. And we'll get better next year, and the year after that they get really good with the additions of R Melina, Date Night Hanover and Kadena. That ups our pedigree, a lot," said Hayes.

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On opening night Hayes called out HIP 39 Melino Armitage as a possible standout. By Walner, he's a three-quarter brother to millionaire R Melina that is New Jersey and Kentucky eligible.

"The Walner colt just has a really special look to him. If you look at him on the floor, he looks like he's ready to race," said Hayes, whose assertion is backed up by a beautiful video showcasing the youngster.

Moving on to day two, Hayes is high on HIP 193 Polltopperarmitage, a son of Chapter Seven and the first foal from stakes winner Climb The Pole.

"He's very nice too," said Hayes about Polltopperarmitage. "He's very, very athletic and has that 'I can run fast' look. He's been a little immature, but the closer we get to the sale, the bigger, the stronger and the better he's getting."

Sticking on the second day, there is HIP 156 Goraceme Armitage, a New Jersey and Kentucky eligible filly by Tactical Landing and the first foal out of Avacakes, she from the family of Hambletonian winner Karl.

"I'm hoping she may exceed my expectations," said Hayes.

One with a nice bounce to her step on video is HIP 208 Wallcat Armitage, another Tactical Landing that has dual-eligibility in the Garden and Bluegrass States.

"She's a very, very nice, filly. And her brother is a Volstead, and he made it into the Ohio Sire Stakes final. She's a better individual than him," said Hayes.

The solid bloodlines from Armitage don't end on day two as HIP 528 Tarnation Armitage sports plenty of pedigree in the third session. A New York and Kentucky eligible colt from the great Chapter Seven, he's out of Insta Glam, whose family has produced Famous Father ($541K), Dan Patch winner Lantern Kronos, millionaire The Bank, and others.

"He is a half-brother to Fleur Delacour, who was just second out here in the Kentucky Sire Stakes in 1:53 3/5. He's a really nice colt and a mid-May foal, so by the time I get him to the sale he should be looking really good."

Despite all of the pedigree and potential in the Armitage lineup, Hayes was reluctant to get too excited about any of the yearlings since he knows that beauty is ultimately in the eye of the beholder.

"I try to keep our expectations down and hope for the best. I try not to get too high on any of them because I just don't want anybody to be disappointed," said Hayes, who is unlikely to walk away from the sale with a frown on his face given the quality in the consignment.