by Dave Briggs

Jimmy Ladwig, Winbak Farm’s yearling manager, said the rule change allowing progeny of horses bred out of state via shipped semen from a New York-based stallion to now be eligible to the New York Sires Stakes is “going to be huge” for Winbak, which has a farm in the state.

In the short-term, Ladwig also thinks the new rule, which was passed in late-September, will mean higher prices for the New York-breds Winbak is selling at this week’s Standardbred Horse Sales Company yearling sale in Harrisburg, PA.

The fact New York did not allow horses bred out-of-state via shipped semen from New York stallions to be eligible to the NYSS until recently means fewer New York-eligible horses have been bred in recent years. That means fewer horses will be gunning for purses in one of the continent’s most lucrative sires stakes programs.

“We do have some nice New York breds and I do think they’ll bring a premium because of the rule changing and the fact that they look so good,” Ladwig said. “We’re always pretty strong in the New York market anyway, so we’re set up pretty well for that… We’re Canadian and New York heavy.”

Winbak also has a breeding farm in Ontario.

As for highlights from Winbak’s Harrisburg consignment, Ladwig pointed to the following:

“We’ve got the Bettor’s Delight out of Stonebridge Kisses that’s a real nice filly [Hip #83 Kiss Cam],” he said.

“The Chapter Seven out of Commando Queen [Hip #133 Steamy Seven] is a nice colt.

“The Bettor’s Delight—Feelinglikeastar filly, Hip #152 [Delightful You], is a real nice Bettor’s Delight filly.

“I’ve got a lot of nice Courtly Choices. The Courtly Choice out of Maid West, Hip #225 [Courtly Maiden] is a nice filly.”

Ladwig also pointed out a couple of nice grey standardbreds: Hip #212 Vivie’s Wish, an American Ideal filly out of Lillywhites and Hip #638 Sterling Choice, a Betterthancheddar colt out of Platinum Choice that has, “a great video, too.”

Ladwig said Hip #436 Snack Attack, a colt by Stay Hungry out of Bridge To Tomorrow has been getting a lot of looks from potential buyers.

“He’s kind of been on my radar for a while,” Ladwig said.

Ladwig also said prospective buyers need to check out:

• Hip #322 Carry Z, an Always B Miki filly out of Somelovesomewhere.

• Hip #328 Mass Transit, an American Ideal colt out of Spreckles.

• Hip #439 Moms Point, an American Ideal filly out of Bullet Point.

• Hip #458 Jess’s Bright Idea, a Bettor’s Delight filly out of Clear Idea.

• Hip #718 Delightful Account, a Bettor’s Delight filly out of Three Accounts.

At the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex this weekend, Ladwig said the potential buyers have been upbeat.

“I think people are ready for a horse sale,” Ladwig said. “Honestly, I haven’t heard too much negative at all. Everybody seems to be in a good mood, upbeat and ready to buy some horses.

Some people may not have gotten as many as they wanted in Lexington and now, they are ready to buy here, so that’s always good.

“We were actually busy right up until 2 o’clock [Saturday]. We started off at 9:30 and a lot of big lifters came through. So, we were rocking and rolling right until about 2 o’clock.”