Last Saturday night at Queensland’s Albion Park track saw the running of the 2026 Jim McNeil Trotting Championship and it was taken out by Aldebaranstilinski.
The gelded son of Swedish stallion Sebastian K completed a clean sweep of the Championship after earlier winning both rounds of his heats before taking out the 2647 metre final in effortless fashion by some 17 metres.
Jim McNeil was a pioneer of races for trotters in Queensland and he would be more than happy with the numbers and quality of trotters in Queensland in 2026.
Trained by Mitchell Dawson, Aldebaranstilinski has now won 10 of 42 starts and $77,767 in stakes.
Aldebaranstilinski is the first foal from the unraced Muscle Hill mare Aldebaran Sky and the mare’s second foal will be offered by Aldebaran Lodge as Lot 217 at the Nutrien Melbourne Yearling Sale on April 12.
Named Aldebaran Sasha, Lot 217 is a filly by the well-credentialled Dancinginthedark M whose pedigree is a mix of the best of European and North American trotting blood.
Dancinginthedark M was a North American stakes winner as both a 2yo and 3yo and took a record at three of tr,3,1:49.6 on his way to earnings of $364,208.
Aldebaran Sky, the dam of Lot 217, is a half-sister to the Group One placed Breezin Around while her dam Aldebaran Breeze is a half-sister Group Two 2yo Redwood Classic winner Andys Favourite.
Lot 217 is being prepared at Aldebaran Park by Melinda and Danny Thackeray who can be contacted on 0458 223 819 to arrange an inspection prior to the sale.