by Dave Briggs

How does Hanover Shoe Farms figure out which yearlings to bring to Kentucky and which ones to sell at its own Standardbred Horse Sales Company auction in Harrisburg, PA? Farm manger Patti Murphy said this year the selection process was fairly simple.

“We wanted to highlight the ones that are Kentucky eligible,” she said. “Our consignment is a little smaller this year, we only have 13, because, you know, it’s a big trip for us and it takes people away from getting our Harrisburg horses prepped, so we just tried to pick 13 exceptional individuals.”

Last year, Hanover sold 25 yearlings and grossed $3.39 million to be the sale’s second leading consignor (behind All American) by average with $135,720.

From last year’s Lexington consignment, Hanover sold this year’s Mohawk Million winner, Maryland for $475,000 (sold as Charlie K Hanover).

“We try to do a variety of stallions [in Lexington],” Murphy said. “We’re a little heavier on the pacers this year, but we have some very exceptional trotting individuals. We have five trotters, three colts and two fillies, that we’re selling. We wanted to save some for Harrisburg as well, it’s our home-base sale.”

Murphy highlighted Hip #15 Rani Hanover, a Walner filly out of Hambletonian winner Ramona Hill.

“She’s just a gorgeous individual, very athletic,” Murphy said. “Her video was awesome – she was all up and down on the line. Beautiful trot on her. We’re really excited about what she’s going to do.

“We have a ‘Papi Rob,’ you know they’ve been doing very well this year, so we’re excited to see how they are going to sell this year. Ecuador Hanover [Hip #93] is a brother to Caviart Belle, who’s a very big stakes filly. Big colt, very leggy, again very athletic.

“We have a Chapter Seven out of Secret Passion [Spencer Hanover, Hip #22], which is Manchego’s family. He’s very nice. He’s actually a little larger in size than your average Chapter Seven. Some size came from the mare. He’s a very correct, very nice looking individual.

“We have two beautiful Captaintreacherous individuals – Makeemblush Hanover [Hip #140] out of Modesty is just a gorgeous filly. Captaintreacherous stamps his babies and her family is just… pretty royal pedigree there, just a big solid filly.

“Then, Throttle Hanover, [Hip #219] he’s our other ‘Captain’ colt, out of the Perfect Touch family.”

Murphy said she’s happy to send two first-crop yearlings by Captain Corey to Lexington.

“We are pretty excited about him and I talked to [Hanover owner] Russell [Williams] about sending some Captain Coreys to Lexington to represent him,” Murphy said. “I thought it was important to show off some of his first crop. The colt out of Dab Hanover [Dublin Hanover, Hip #293], he looks very similar to Captain Corey. He’s a big colt, very flashy and shows a lot of talent. I think people that have watched him in the paddock, and if you watch his video, he’s very impressive.

“We also have the first foal out of Andela [Arella Hanover, Hip #256] by him. She’s a little smaller, but she’s built very nice. The Captain Coreys are very smart individuals, very easy to get along with and they show a lot of talent.”

After Lexington, the real fun begins at Hanover for the 108 yearlings selling in Harrisburg.

“We get back [from Lexington] on Monday (Oct. 7), and we’ll start our video process,” Murphy said. “Last year, we got it done in five days. We’ll maybe get it done in five days this year, but we have a few more yearlings than we did last year.”