Harness: Optimism in place for London Classic Yearling Sale

The Lexington Selected Yearling Sale is in the books and the industry is riding high into the London Classic Yearling Sale off another strong showing from that Kentucky-based auction. Driven by the trotting yearlings and an impressive opening session, the average price per yearling was up slightly from the previous year in Lexington.

Naturally the London Classic Yearling Sale does not sport the kind of numbers we see in Lexington, but the sale is coming off two of its most successful editions. Last year, the sale grossed over $7.75 million for 284 yearlings, which was a record for the sale that debuted in 2017. While the average sale price declined in 2023, that was attributed to the large spike in the number of yearlings – 284 to be exact, compared to 186 the previous year.

London Classic Yearling Sale manager Greg Blanchard views the success of this year’s Lexington sale as a strong indicator for London.

“Lexington had tremendous numbers again and that is typically a positive indicator ahead of our sale. We have a very strong catalogue and there seems to be a real buzz ahead of this year’s sale,” said Blanchard, who is hopeful for 2024 based on the performance indicators of both the industry and what London has to offer.

“This will be our third year operating the London Classic and I personally think this is the strongest catalogue we have had. We are in what I consider to be our sweet spot, with just over 250 yearlings scheduled to sell,” said Blanchard.

The overall perception of the health of the industry in Ontario is always critical to a successful sale as well, and Blanchard is well aware of that.

“The climate here in Ontario remains positive,” said Blanchard. “We have one of the premier stakes program in the world and as part of its strategic plan, Ontario Racing will be engaging government on enhancing an extension of the current long term funding agreement. That agreement has the potential to give a major boost to the Ontario Racing program.”

Having the racing support the sale and vice versa is also a critical element of any successful sale, and a recent announcement speaks to that point as well.

“We have also announced the launch of the London Classic Sale series, a revitalization of the former City of London Series which will be bolstered annually by sale proceeds,” said Blanchard.

The presence of a larger American influence for both yearlings and ownership participation is an element to this year’s sale that Blanchard expects to provide a shot in the arm.

“We have some American-sired horses this year, including one from the first crop of Hambletonian winner Captain Corey,” said Blanchard. “As online bidding has grown we have seen more American buyers participating each year. I anticipate that trend to continue as U.S. dollars go a long way here.”

There is certainly some serious horsepower when looking at the stallions represented via the London yearling offerings this year.

“Like everyone, we are excited to see the first crop of world champion Bulldog Hanover go through our sales ring,” said Blanchard of the fastest horse in the history of harness racing via a 1:45 4/5 World Record set in the William Haughton Memorial in 2022.

Blanchard was quick to point out that there is a lot more than Bulldog Hanover yearlings to be excited about.

“Cattlewash is an exciting addition to the Canadian stallion ranks and we will have 31 of his offspring available. Green Manalishi has made a huge splash in Ontario this season and will also be well represented with 29 yearlings,” said Blanchard. “We also have offerings from Canadian titans like Hambletonian winner Muscle Mass and the immortal Bettor’s Delight.

“There are several strong pedigrees and it is difficult to single out just one or two. But one that should certainly draw attention is HIP 156 Saulsbrook Big Dog, a Bulldog Hanover colt out of a terrific producer Atlanta Girl and a brother to 1:48 1/5 winner Saulsbrook Victor ($584,385).

The sale appears poised to be very strong with sharp pedigrees appearing both days.

Here are some of my personal favorites:

HIP 5 HALL OF FEAR is by Sportswriter out of Marietta Hall, an earner of $628,664 and a producer of a pair of six-figure earners. The dam is also a full sister to millionaire Cammibest and a kin to five other stakes competitors that all earned at least $300,000.

HIP 12 SATU WANIA is by Green Manalishi S out of Miss Everything, who has produced a six-figure earner and is a full sister to Ken Warkentin ($1.06 million) and Peter Haughton winner Holiday Road.

HIP 20 D A GABRIELLA is a Green Manalishi S and the first foal from Motormouth Hanover. The second dam produced Walter White, earner of $582,725 and from the maternal family of $1.4 million earner Costa Rica.

HIP 29 LIVEWIRE SEELSTER is by the ageless Bettor’s Delight out of Lively Rocket. This is her first foal and the dam is a half-sister to Twist N Clout, an earner of $564,484.

HIP 62 SILVER FERN comes from Cattlewash out of Roller Cam, who is the dam of eight winners. Of them, seven are six-figure earners, including Ellis Park ($856,320, 1:48 2/5) and Fat Mans Alley ($774,640. 1:49 1/5).

HIP 64 NAUTICAL SEELSTER is by Bulldog Hanover out of Nila Seelster, who is the dam of $109,212 earner Novella Seelster and is a half-sister to Nirvana Seelster, an earner of nearly $1.3 million.

HIP 156 SAULSBROOK BIG DOG is another Bulldog Hanover and this one is out of Atlanta Girl, who is the dam of a six-pack of six-figure earners, including Saulsbrook Victor ($551,885, 1:48 4/5).

HIP 160 CENTURY MOO is by Cattlewash out of Beach Sports. This is her second foal and Beach Sports is a half-sister to popular Ontario stallion Century Farroh ($1.56 Million, 1:47 3/5).

HIP 179 COOLCALMNCOLLECTED is the second foal from Chica and the first pairing with Muscle Mass. This is her second foal and her first foal by Greenshoe has already placed four times from six starts. The dam is also a half-sister to Filly at Bigs ($816,475).

HIP 210 FRESH FLIP is by Sportswriter out of Flip For Love. The dam is a tremendous producer, with her foals including Ideal Flip ($428.441, 1:50) and Fresh Cut ($279,468, 1:50 4/5), and she is also a half-sister to Three of Spades ($788,402, 1:49 2/5).

HIP 227 COMMANDER SAUL is by Captain Corey out of Christina Hanover, an earner of $326,511 and producer of two six-figure earners including Esa ($371,386, 1:52 3/5).

HIP 259 AMBERROSE SEELSTER (Century Farroh) is out of Aqua Rosa, who is the dam of seven winners including Avion Seelster ($302,903, 1:51 3/5) and Allstar Seelster ($288,061, 1:50 3/5).

The London Classic Yearling sale takes place on October 15 and 16 at The Agriplex at Western Fair District in London, Ontario.