The Standardbred in the Southern Hemisphere has developed speed over the past 20 years at a frightening rate. Who would have thought at the turn of this century we would see a horse with a 1.46 and change record in either Australia or New Zealand?
One stallion that has been largely responsible for the speed explosion in this part of the world has been Art Major. When you peruse his breeding, you discover world record speed through his sire Artsplace and the sire of his dam Nihilator.
Ride High is a 2014 foaled son of Art Major and it could be easily argued he is not only the fastest ever son of Art Major for sheer point to point speed, but possibly the fastest sheer speed horse ever bred in the Southern Hemisphere.
Just consider these facts from his 16 win career.
- In 9 of his 16 wins he ran his last quarter in 26.8 or better including 25.7 at both Kilmore and Melton as a three year old.
- In 11 of his 16 wins he paced his last half in 55 secs or better including 7 times better than 54 secs.
- On 20th June 2020 in winning at Melton in 1.51.6, ran his last half in 52.7 and quarter in 25.8.
During his 9 start three year old season, Ride High competed against an elite group of colts winning on 8 occasions and defeating;
- Colt Thirty One 1.51.2 – $1,087,535
- Poster Boy 1.49.1 – $803,310
- Ignatius 1.48.6 – $750,213
- The Black Prince 1.49.9 – $525,880
- Tam Major 1.50.2 – $465,503
Those wins included the heat and Semi Final of the Vicbred Series and the Heat, Semi Final and Final of the Australasian Breeders Crown.
Now not forgetting that 6 win streak in the winter of 2020 which was simply breath taking.
Amongst it was the amazing track record performance at Bendigo in 1.49 on the 1st of August when he exploded his last half and quarter in 53.6 and 27.5 respectively.
His last career win came at Terang (not recognized as a fast track) on the 12th of September in the $30,000 Gammalite Pace when he powered home in 53.4 and 26.2 on a rain affected track, streeting two horses who now have 1.50 or better records in North America.
When you look at the breeding of Ride High it is easy to discover where this rare and exceptional speed has come from. His sire Art Major had it as a racehorse and has passed it on as a sire – heading the Australian Two Year Old Sires Premiership on 7 occasions.
His Dam is by Live Or Die, who was a champion two year old in the USA and he is a grandson of No Nukes, considered by many good judges in USA as one of the fastest horses in the history of the standardbred.
The granddam of Ride High is by Presidential Ball, who was both two and three year old USTA Pacing Colt of the Year, whilst his 3rd Dam is by Windshield Wiper, who became the fastest ever 3 year old in the world when he time trialled in 1.53.2 in 1976.
In modern day racing there is no substitute for extreme speed. Has there ever been a horse in Australia or New Zealand this Century with the raw speed to match Ride High? His pedigree shows it isn’t a fluke.
Ride High is a clone of his sire in all ways – size, temperament and ability. His first crop foals are strong and sensible… and hopefully fast.
Call us now for a booking to Breed for Speed.
