by Matthew Lomon

After selling 40 yearlings for a gross total of $1,351,000 to pace all consignors at the recent London Classic Yearling Sale, Dean and Ashley Wilson enter this year’s Standardbred Horse Sales Company auction in Harrisburg, PA with a modest five-horse consignment (four agents, one of their own).

But if their second stint in Harrisburg goes according to plan, expect the Kerwood, ON-based husband and wife team to widen their sales roster as soon as next year.

“We have five this year, but we’re hoping to expand the numbers,” said Dean. “The goal is to broaden our horizons next year.

“We like London because it’s close, and it’s easier on the yearlings to travel. But we’re thinking our top-end yearlings may sell better in the States, and Harrisburg, especially. That’s the last shot of the year for buyers to purchase a yearling, so if we take some of ours that would do really well in London, they might do a little bit better because it’s the last kick of the can to get your yearlings.”

Two additional factors weighed heavily in the Wilson’s decision to enhance their presence at major U.S. sales.

The first, according to Dean, is that he and Ashley received solid intel from owner Blair Corbeil, who owns three of the five youngsters in the Wilson’s 2024 consignment.

“He really likes selling down there,” said Dean of the Leduc, AB-based horseman. “That’s part of why we started selling in Harrisburg.”

Among the trio of Corbeil-owned trotters heading down to Harrisburg with Dean and Ashley is Hip #228 Touchedbyanangel, Hip #413 Handnthecookiejar, and Hip #564 Mike Me Up.

The Wilsons are particularly enthused with the prospects of Touchedbyanangel.

“Our Archangel colt, Touchedbyanangel, we’re thinking he’ll probably be our number one seller,” said Dean. “He’s out of a mare [Rubys Are Nice] that took a mark of 1:54.3 and she is a full sister to a colt that we sold last year [Lookatmegoamigo]. He brought $120,000 down there, and he made over $100,000 this year racing. He’s got a best time of 1:54.4.”

“I’ve liked him [Touchedbyanangel] since he was born. He’s got a good look to him and he’s quite athletic.”

Mike Me Up also boasts a bevy of desirable qualities.

“He’s a Muscle Mass who looks the part,” said Dean. “He’s very athletic looking, he’s correct, he travels well and put together a nice video. He’s got lots of energy and is always on the go. Maybe the page doesn’t look as good for him, but as an individual, he stands out.”

Looking ahead — the second major factor — Dean and Ashley plan to showcase weanlings from champion mares Righteous Resolve and Motown Muscle.

The former collected more than $1 million in earnings across 21 lifetime starts (11-5-4), while the latter banked over $460,000 from 30 attempts (9-5-6).

With an eye on Harrisburg, and even Lexington down the line, the Wilson’s are working hard to lay a sturdy foundation in 2024.

Even with a lighter consignment, strong results at this year’s Harrisburg sale would go a long way in solidifying the duo’s position as prominent U.S. players.

“It’s nice for our yearlings to go to a good trainer and to go on and be successful in the future,” said Dean. “And if this year sells well, that’s what sells your next year’s crop.

“Last year we sold D A Love Boat in Harrisburg – Jack Darling bought him. He won this year in 1:48.4, which is only two-fifths of a second off the world record. He actually beat the horse that won the 2-year-old Breeders Crown [Louprint]. Love Boat wasn’t eligible for it, but it would have been really nice to have him in there and to compete because he really raced well.”

Dean added that when one of their yearlings goes on to perform at a high level, it offers hope that the following year’s crop will produce more of the same.

The Wilsons are optimistic that their homegrown youngster, pacing colt D A Cherry Crunch, goes on to follow a similar path as D A Love Boat.

“We only have one of our own that we’re selling, [Hip #779] D A Cherry Crunch,” said Dean. “I really like him. He’s another Captain Crunch and he’s a flashy looking guy. He’s very athletic with a good attitude on him.”

Rounding things out for the Wilson’s is the lone filly in their catalog, Hip #850 Sneaking Out, a trotter out of Muscle Mass—Gliding Phoebe.

“Hopefully they show up like Love Boat did last year,” said Dean. “That’d be a great sight.”