And he says buyers will be able to see these benefits first-hand at next Monday’s Karaka yearling sale.
Breckon and his wife Karen have long been among our elite breeders, but have upped their game with a major redevelopment of Breckon Farms, their new facilities can now provide housing for up to 50 yearlings.
“It’s been a game changer,” says Breckon.
“It means we can have the most modern housing for every yearling when we need it.
“That means we can start preparations earlier if we want, we can have them indoors out of the weather and it is better and safer for the staff.
“It is now a beautiful facility and that is reflected in the design.”
Breckon Farms is taking 35 yearlings to Karaka, with an almost equal split between stallions and fillies.
Although they are spoiled with wealth, one of their best lots will undoubtedly be the brother of the excellent young trotter Meant To Be, who was also bred on the farm.
“Because we also race a lot of horses, people sometimes ask what it’s like to sell a horse that became our two-year-old champion, but we are breeders and selling is a big part of that.
“We love seeing what he has done and there would hardly be a day that I don’t check all the racing results here and in Australia to see how the horses we have bred are doing.”
The brother of Meant To Be will continue as Lot 127, right at the end of next Monday’s sale, which promises to deliver some new highlights in the renaissance of trotting yearlings sold in New Zealand.
“We also employ Higher Power’s brother and people know we love trotters, so it is very satisfying to bring some lovely yearlings from such modern trotting families to the sale.”
It won’t be all about the trotters though, as the Breckons are buzzing about the first foal by A Bettor You (Captaintreacherous filly) and a Sweet Lou foal by another Group 1 winner in Enjoy Me, who comes with the signature Sweet Lou white blaze.
“It is always exciting when yearlings come from these Group 1 winning fillies, they are the future.
“Overall, the quality of the design is very high and very consistent.”
While he acknowledges the difficulties ATC faces, Breckon says the sale is a time for the national industry to come together.
“We have a great product and we need Auckland to survive and prosper, and we think it will.
“We are excited about the future. New Zealand breeds great horses and harness racing has some fantastic people.”
The Breckons were thrilled to be recognized with the Outstanding Contribution Award at the recent HRNZ gala evening, but Ken says a nagging nerve problem kept them from attending.
“I had a very badly pinched nerve in my neck and upper back and it was horrible to be honest,” says the normally jovial Aucklander.
“It dates back to my football days and I have to work on getting it better, which could take a year or I have to have surgery.
“But before all that happens, we’ll get the sale out of the way.”
Through Michael Guerinfor Harness Racing New Zealand
#Breckon #Farms #moves #Karaka #yearlings