How many times do we see a passed-in horse come out and win a big race, making many of us think – I should have bought that horse!
They say ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’, but sometimes at a yearling sale the beauty that wins races can be hard to spot.
At any given sale there are always a number of horses that for whatever reason are passed-in and returned to their vendor, leaving the rest of us to wonder why they have left the ring unwanted and unsold.
A look at passed-in horses from the 2022 Victorian yearling sales offered by Durham Park Standardbreds reveals several familiar names that have left the ring unsold and gone on to win their share of races.
The list includes Sir Jimmy (Art Major-Carolsideal USA), a winner of 11 races and $112,164, the filly Beat Sweet (Sweet Lou-Hexham Heartbeat), who has won nine including two at Listed level and $90,005, and Draw A Dream (He’s Watching-Illustrator), the winner of nine including the Group 1 Vicbred Super Series 2YO Fillies Final and $143,895 in stakes.
Sir Jimmy had a reserve of $25,000, Beat Sweet ($20,000) and Draw A Dream ($16,000).
“Every year Durham Park send every yearling to the sales with reasonable reserves and the full intention to sell them all,” Durham Park principal Bruce Edward said.
“We are always disappointed when yearlings don’t sell, but have confidence in their breeding and in the racing potential of every yearling sent for sale, thus foals not sold through the sales are always broken in and raced by Durham Park.
“Following the 2022 sales, the passed-in yearlings were broken in by Chris and Hayley Lang, and transferred to Emma and Clayton, for their racing career.
“All will continue to race in 2026 at a high level with the mares moving into Luke McCarthy’s stable, as NSW offers more opportunities for good racemares,” Edward stated.
Bruce says that their draft of yearlings being offered at the 2026 Melbourne sales is their best yet, offering a mix of high quality pedigrees and stallions, with reserves set to meet the market.
He emphasises that the draft “will have a yearling for everyone”, and the opportunity for an astute buyer is the Lather Up-Illustrator filly, a half-sister to nine sub 2:00 winners from nine starters, being the first lot (Lot 101) to be offered at the APG sale on February 15.
For further details of these or any other lots in the Melbourne Yearling Sale then check out the Online Catalogue or Register as a Buyer today!
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