Famous as a leader in global breeding, the Nagambie-based nursery Aldebaran Park, which is conducted by Melbourne breeder-owner Duncan McPherson OAM, has been a cornerstone of Australian trotting breeding since 2004.
Over the years, the farm has bred and raised countless winners at the diagonal gait. The list includes the Breeders Crown champions Aldebaran Zeus and Kyvalley Kyrie, the Vicbred winners Harperseven and Aldebaran Eve, and the Oaks winners Aldebaran Keepa, Aldebaran Ursula and Aldebaran Floss, to name only a few.
Aldebaran Park’s ‘Class of 2026’, to be offered at the Nutrien Equine Melbourne Yearling Sale at Oaklands Junction on Sunday, April 12, is one of their best ever consignments, both on quality and quantity.
The 13-strong draft comprises seven colts and six fillies representing six different stallions.
Of special interest are the only two colts being offered at an Australian auction this year by the world champion juvenile and leading USA sire Walner, who commands a stud fee of $US50,000.
Feature Lots
Lot 198 – Aldebaran Raptor
A stunning colt by Walner and the only one by the Chapter Seven horse to be offered in the southern hemisphere with an all-American pedigree. The colt is the first foal of the Donato Hanover mare Aldebaran Revani USA, a 1:52 Menangle winning daughter of the Stakes-winning Cantab Hall mare Coffeecake Hanover.
Lot 230 – Aldebaran Tobbe
The other Walner colt, a product of the Swedish bred mare Aldebaran Teal Swe, dam of the three-time Swedish winner For Sure Aldebaran Swe and a member of a Swedish family chock full of Group and $100,000 winners.
European Influence
Lot 266 – Aldebaran Chanel
A filly by the European and Swedish Derby winner, Swedish Horse of the Year and emerging sire Calgary Games. The striking filly boasts a desirable 3×3 cross to the great Ready Cash and is the first foal of Aldebaran Bardot Swe. She is the only Swedish bred filly ever to be offered at a sale in the southern hemisphere.
Lot 332 – Aldebaran Mike
By Tactical Landing, sire of Hambletonian winners Karl and Tactical Approach and the 2025 Australian 3YO Trotting Colt of the Year Mecarno. This classy, athletic brown colt is a half-brother to Group 1 winner Aldebaran Misty, APTS Classic winner Aldebaran Miley, and a brother to Aldebaran Emjay, who fetched $82,500 at last year’s sale and qualified on Monday night at Bendigo.
Lot 181 – Aldebaran Major
A colt from the first crop of King Of The North, the world champion son of Walner. From the nine-win Majestic Son mare Naked Majesty, he is closely related to multiple Group performers. Naked Majesty’s first two foals are both winners: Avenel Eagle (5 wins) and Aldebaran Marcus, a recent Shepparton winner.
Dancinginthedark M Progeny (Second Crop)
Aldebaran Park resident sire Dancinginthedark M, the fastest trotter ever imported ‘down under’ (1:49.6), is represented by three colts and five fillies:
- Lot 197 – Aldebaran Peppa – filly from Regal Pepperell, a $100,000-winning Majestic Son mare
- Lot 207 – Aldebaran Sienna – filly from a half-sister to Maori Time and Maori Law
- Lot 208 – Aldebaran Sabrina – half-sister to Aldebaran Sue from a Muscle Hill line tied to Maori Time/Maori Law
- Lot 217 – Aldebaran Sasha – half-sister to Group-winning trotter Aldebaranstilinski
- Lot 228 – Aldebaran Timmy – from a Trixton mare related to Harperseven and Aldebaranwalkabout (1:55)
- Lot 252 – Aldebaran Amee – filly from Group 3 winner Aldebaran Alissa; family of Ima Gold Digger and Shirley Temple
- Lot 276 – Aldebaran Luke – colt from cups-winning mare Charming Lavra; family of Delft
- Lot 338 – Aldebaran Matt – colt with an all-American pedigree from a strong US maternal line
Aldebaran Park is also preparing four well-bred yearlings for clients:
- Lot 91 – Dancinginthedark M filly (Ash Haynes, ‘Phoenix’), from a Muscle Hill family rich in elite juvenile and Oaks performers
- Lot 249 – King Of The North filly (David Scott), from Trotting Broodmare of the Year Elusive Charm
- Lot 335 – Captain Crunch filly (Jason Ross / Triple A Racing), from an Art Major mare related to multiple Group 1 winners
- Lot 254 – Ride High colt (Larry Walls), a half-brother to Ignite The Fire and from a strong colonial family
Completing a powerful and diverse draft, Aldebaran Park’s 2026 offering combines elite American speed, proven European stamina, and some of the most successful maternal families in Australasia.