Harness: London Selected Yearling Sale begins with big gains

The 2018 London Selected Yearling Sale began on Saturday afternoon at the Metroland Media Agriplex in London, Ontario, and HIP 24 Stonebridge Excel topped the session, fetching C$187,000 from owner William J. Donovan.

Stonebridge Excel, bred by Angie Stiller and consigned by agent Stonebridge Farm, is out of the Garland Lobell mare Armbro Vanquish, making Stonebridge Excel a half-sister to millionaire Manofmanymissions (Yankee Glide).

Three other yearlings went into six figures during the day. HIP 66 Shelton Seelster went to Dave Menary for C$130,000, Millar Farms grabbed HIP 67 Shiraz Seelster for C$107,000, and agent Blake MacIntosh plucked HIP 85 Stonebridge Icicle for C$100,000.

Shelton Seelster and Shiraz Seelster were both consigned by breeder Seelster Farms Inc. Shelton Seelster, a colt from the first crop of He's Watching, is the second foal out of Shadow Of Mymind (Bettor's Delight), a half-sister to millionaires Mr. Feelgood (Grinfromeartoear) and Remember When (Camluck), and Shiraz Seelster, a Bettor's Delight filly, is the first foal out of Shakai Hanover (Well Said, C$229,130), a half-sister to the good 2-year-old Sylph Hanover (Somebeachsomewhere, $229,052)

Stonebridge Icicle, another Stiller-bred, Stonebridge Farm agent consigned horse, is a Bettor's Delight filly. She is out of Glacier Express (Artsplace), making her a half-sister to half a dozen six-figure earners, headed by Stonebridge Tonic (Camluck, C$941,425).

On average the session was up 31.7 percent over last year's first day (C$28,700 v. C$21,793), and 100 yearlings sold for a total of C$2,870,000. The sale concludes tomorrow with HIPS 101 - 326.