Newly inducted member of the Harness Racing Hall of Fame, Bruce Nickells, drew the random letter ‘W’ from a lottery-style basket for hip number allocation at the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame induction ceremonies on Sunday evening (July 3).
Yearlings whose dam’s names begin with the letter ‘W’ will start the Goshen Yearling Sale, and continue through the alphabet for the 160 colts and fillies that will be offered on Sunday, September 18 at the Mark Ford Training Center in Middletown, NY.
Consignors and principles of the sales company were on hand to witness the ceremonial draw, which took place on the patio of Haughton Hall during the cocktail hour of the annual Hall of Fame event. Representing Winbak Farm was Hall of Famer Joe Thomson, who is also a director of the sale company. Russell Williams and Dale Welk observed the proceedings on behalf of Hanover Shoe Farms.
The son and daughter of Immortal Hall of Famers represented their respective farms; Steve Jones from Cameo Hills Farm and Jean Brown of Blue Chip Farm witnessed the draw. David Meirs from Concord Stud completed the group of consignors, with Mark Ford and Bob Boni also on hand to represent the sales company.
With hip numbers now drawn, pedigrees receive a final update next week. A digital version of the catalogue will be available on the sales company website on Thursday, July 21. Printed catalogues will be mailed on August 4 and will also be available during the Hambletonian festival at the Meadowlands.
For more information, or to request a catalog, visit the sales company website (goshenyearlingsale.com).
(Goshen Yearling Sale)