As part of their draft Arden Lodge will sell two colts by Tall Dark Stranger and a filly by Capt Midnight at the upcoming NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sales in Christchurch 20 and 21 February 2024.
After a visit to the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale in Kentucky, USA, in October 2023 John and Judy Stiven are looking forward to seeing their own Tall Dark Stranger colts go through the sale ring.
Tall Dark Stranger's colts and fillies averaged an impressive $81,500 at auction with 26 individuals selling between $100,000-$350,000. His average was the second highest among ALL sires -with only Captaintreacherous ahead of him.
Attending the sales is something John has always wanted to do and seeing the Tall Dark Stranger stock was an added bonus. "The yearlings we saw were very impressive types and sold accordingly to top trainers and buying groups. We were attracted to the sire early as he was such an awesome racehorse who was voted 2020 Dan Patch horse of the year. Also being by Bettor's Delight from an Art Major mare from a top US family he has a lot going for him and I knew that he would click well with our mares. Choice's colt Soolaimon Arden is a very strong, well built colt who resembles a lot of what we saw in Lexington. Arden's Intrigue is a handsome colt who was such a great looking foal. To be offering two Tall Dark Stranger colts from daughters of NZ Broodmare Excellence winner Winter Rose is very special and when you consider their close relatives these guys have a lot to be excited about."
John was impressed with Shesnostranger out of Somebeachsomewhere mare Sandbetweenurtoes who was consigned and raised by Crawford Farms. She sold for $275k.
The first of the two Arden Lodge-bred colts to sell is Lot 270 a colt out of Rocknroll Hanover mare Rocknroll Arden.
Lot 349 is out of Arden's Choice, a Group 1 winning mare by Panspacific Flight. He sells on the second day of the sale.
Another first season sire the Stivens have supported is the son of Captaintreacherous, Capt Midnight. They have a filly out of Countess of Arden also going to this year's sale. "She is a natural pacer who I like a lot," John says. "We raced her mother and I think Ella Arden could be something special. She is a three by three cross to Somebeachsomewhere."