Pedigrees and conformation were two of the main topics during the I Love Canadian Harness Racing Fan Club’s Yearling Sale Workshop held on Sunday prior to Standardbred Canada’s 2016 Canadian Yearling Sale to offer prospective buyers information and tips on determining how to select a yearling.
Following breakfast, Ontario racing enthusiast Howard Pearce provided an overview of LandMark Racing Stables’ fractional ownership program. LandMark provides a unique opportunity for harness racing fans to participate in the fractional ownership of several horses for a very modest one time investment of $2,000.
Veteran owner-breeder Brian Webster then led the formal part of the program, which included an overview of the Canadian Yearling Sale, a lesson on how to read a pedigree and a conformation lesson with two of the sale entries, Hip #37 Northern Ruler and Hip #108 Windsong Olympia.
First the group headed to see Windsong Olympia, consigned and raised by Windsong Acres of London, Ont. The striking bay filly was purchased by Sean Mehlenbacher of Hamilton, Ont. for $58,000.
Then it was off to the Meaford, Ont.-based Northfields Farm consignment where one of the caretakers brought out a stunning looking Kadabra colt, Northern Ruler, who was purchased for $58,000 by Mark Steacy of Landsdowne, Ont., for the LandMark 10 Racing Stable.
Webster, who has 20+ years of experience building, managing and promoting successful yearling sales, reviewed conformation strengths of the two horses and talked about specific physical attributes to look for when inspecting yearlings.
A total of 144 horses went through the sales ring at the 2016 Canadian Yearling Sale, selling for a total of $2,972,200 with a sales average of $20,640.