Another stallion whose first Australian crop will be offered in 2026 is USTA 2YO Trotter of the Year King Of The North, who is represented by a single yearling in the Sunshine Stars catalogue — Lot 36, a further 3 in the Nutrien Sydney sale and another 16 nominations in the Nutrien Melbourne catalogue.
The name King Of The North is a nod to the popular Game Of Thrones character King in the North.
Offered by Lindsay and Mary Vagg, Lot 36 is a half-sister to Group Three Australasian Breeders Crown Graduate Trot winner Victree Hill, who has recorded 14 wins and earnings of $182,326, and Ajay Volstead, a seven-time winner.
Ajay Volstead captured The Stellar Square at Albion Park last November, earning qualification for the $150,000 The Great Square a week later, a race ultimately won by Keayang Zahara.
The depth of Lot 36’s pedigree is highlighted by the fact that there are only two dams on the page. This family has been prominent over the past seven weeks through the performances of two daughters of What The Hill racing in New Zealand.
Petite Amour won the Group Three Gold Bracelet at Addington on November 21, just one week after finishing second in the Group One final of the New Zealand Sires Stakes for 2YO Trotters at the same venue.
Meanwhile, the three-year-old filly Ya Rite Darl captured the $47,500 Golden Gait at Alexandra Park on December 19, defeating the geldings Crackerjack and Youneverknow.
With a three-year-old season record of six wins, two placings and earnings of $209,184 from 16 starts — including victory in the Group One Queen of Diamonds against older mares — Ya Rite Darl is a leading contender for New Zealand 3YO Trotting Filly of the Year ahead of the 2025 Awards, to be announced in the coming weeks.
Lindsay and Mary Vagg can be contacted on 0419 714 122 to arrange an inspection of Lot 36.
image: King of The North