SOME of the country's top Australian Stock Horse breeders and trainers will be among the vendors in the 44th annual Dalby ASH Sale on December 1 and 2.
Quality ASH genetics, suitable for campdrafting, cutting, station and feedlot work, and team penning, will be available, with some of the breed's top sires having large numbers of progeny in the sale.
The catalogue includes 256 horses – 144 mares and fillies, 108 geldings and four stallions and colts – from three states, Queensland, NSW and Western Australia.
The most represented sire in the catalogue is dual-registered Donell Park Seligman Spin, by Docs Spinifex from Lady in Red, which has 14 horses – nine mares and five geldings, up for sale.
Impact sire Acres Destiny, who died earlier this year after an incredible influence in both campdrafting and cutting, has 10 progeny in the sale, and one of his most successful sons, Binnia Impressive Destiny, who has won more than 65 campdrafts, also has 10 horses catalogued.
Soda O'Riley and Condamine Romano each have five horses in the sale.
Last year's sale reached a high of $54,000 for six-year-old mare Oneofakind Dixie Chic, an Acres Destiny daughter from Chickery, who was sold by Kerrie Thomson and Zane Habermann, Mostly Hills, Springsure, to Andy Mulcahy, Drummondslope Cattle Co, Alpha.
The sale of 171 horses, from 204 offered, averaged $10,099, with 78 geldings averaging $7961, 86 mares averaging $11,285 and seven stallions averaging $11,285.
Sale chairman and Darling Downs ASH branch president Jim Ryan said demand for quality horses was high, despite drought conditions across NSW and Qld.
“It’s the biggest sale in Australia where all horses have to be registered with the ASH society,” Mr Ryan said.
“We have some professional trainers selling, and buyers come here to buy horses that are ready to compete, as well as kids horses, and station and feedlot horses.
”In the last 10 years, the Dalby sale has become the place to by a horse, because the incentive drafts are encouraging buyers to come back and compete.
“There’s an $80,000 prize pool for the campdrafts, including the $30,000 open draft, which is only going to have 250 runs, so there’s a good chance to win the money.
“The challenge is in its third year, and we’ve got some good entries.
“That’s an area we’re looking at increasing, because it’s becoming a big sport, so I’d like to see the challenge get bigger.
“It’s a growing sport, and I know by doing more challenges, our horses are campdrafting much better.”