Dean and Ashley Wilson Farm look to carry momentum from London to Harrisburg

by Matthew Lomon

A thrilling first awaits Dean and Ashley Wilson upon their third visit to Harrisburg, PA, for the Standardbred Horse Sales Company auction.

“We’re very excited,” said Dean. “This is our best group of yearlings that we’ve ever taken to Harrisburg. We’ve never had any on the first day, and this year we have four on the first day and two on the second.

“We kept our top five from the group we raised to go there, along with our sixth that was raised elsewhere that we’re meeting down there. We’re really happy about what we have going to Harrisburg this year.”

The Wilsons, who did not participate in last year’s Harrisburg sale, return for the 2026 edition following another strong showing at the London Classic Yearling Sale in London, ON.

After selling 40 yearlings for a gross total of $1,351,000 to pace all consignors at the 2024 London Sale, the Wilsons sold 35 yearlings for an average of $35,629 CAD — up from the sale average of $32,663 — at this year’s auction.

“I knew going in that we wouldn’t have any of the 190 [thousand-dollar] or 150 [thousand-dollar] horses like we had last year, but I was quite confident that we would get a good price for some,” said Dean.

“I think the middle was a little stronger than it had been in years, and it was up. We got a good average for them, so we were quite pleased with the sale.”

The Kerwood, ON-based husband-and-wife team were especially successful with their own “D A” branded horses, which fetched an approximate average of $45,000.

The Wilsons are optimistic that the momentum they achieved in London will carry over to Harrisburg through the finest collection of yearlings they’ve ever offered at the sale.

Hip #128 D A King Craft, the group’s lone “D A,” bears strong family ties.

“He’s a brother of many great siblings, including Unstable Genius who went three-for-three in the OSS [Ontario Sires Stakes] Gold before he went down to injury, which was disappointing,” Dean said. “He’s a phenomenal colt.

“D A King Craft is a King Of The North half-brother to him [Unstable Genius], so we’re very excited about his chances.”

The Wilsons have another trotting colt by King Of The North, who may be of particular interest to fans of the Toronto Blue Jays, Hip #136 Springers Dinger.

“He’s a King Of The North brother to Touchedbyanangel, who trotted in 1:51.4 and made over $300,000 CAD this year,” Dean said. “This is just the second foal of Rubys Are Nice. He’s a very nice colt – they’re all nice colts.”

The third and final colt in the Wilsons consignment, Hip #82 Seaside Dancer, hails from superstar parents.

“On the pacing side, we have a colt out of Kendall Seelster who made over $1.2 million Canadian,” Dean said. “He’s a Downbytheseaside out of her.”

Joining the Wilsons’ three colts is a trio of fillies, led by Hip #387 Lady Kingsbridge, who shines in a class of superlatives.

“We also have another King Of The North filly who’s my favorite trotting filly that we’ve raised here,” Dean said.

“She’s out of a great mare [Lefkada], who made $140,000 [USD] and had a mark of 1:53.1 of beaten time. She’s exciting, too. We’re very proud of what we have.”

King Of The North is well represented in the Wilsons’ lot of six, siring half their yearlings.

Dean is hoping the 2021 Dan Patch Award recipient’s recent success in Ontario, particularly in the local sires stakes program, will speak to buyers in Harrisburg.

“He’s done very well in the OSS this year, and we’re excited about what King Of The North did in his first crop and we think he’ll be even better in the coming years as we go along – he’ll get stronger.”

Hip #31 Tik Tik Boom, a filly by Cattlewash out of Cusdmagicdragon, and Hip #457 Angels Landing (Tactical Landing—Peppas Angel) round out the Wilsons’ consignment.

Ahead of their most highly anticipated visit to Harrisburg yet, the Wilsons are hopeful that the laws of supply and demand, along with a sprinkle of luck, will make this trip one that delivers on its promise.

“We’ve been trying to breed to the ones that everybody wants, and we believe that’s what we have going to Harrisburg this year,” Dean said. “They all stand good, they all have good conformation, and they’re all nice-looking individuals with great pedigrees. We’re pumped going into this year.”