98% of Top Sires now trace to Hal Dale, Volomite or Speedster
The 20th Century provided harness racing fans with three foundation sires that brought the speed to the modern game,
Hal Dale, Volomite and
Speedster. Hal Dale is the foundation sire for the dominant pacing lines, Volomite has provided outcross pacing lines while emerging as a co-dominant force in trotting, while Speedster has provided the bulk of trotting stallion speed in recent decades.
The only prominent pacing line still going that doesn't trace to Hal Dale or Volomite is the
Big Towner line which brought us
Apaches Fame. The line traces back to Hal Dale's grandsire,
The Abbe.
Hal Dale line dominant sires:Western Hanover, Abercrombie / Artsplace, Cam Fella - Most Breeders Crown level performers have top lines from one of these 3 Hal Dale branches.
Western Hanover line - Western Ideal, Rocknroll Hanover, Western Terror, The Panderosa, Badlands Hanover, American Ideal, Shadow Play, Armbro Deuce, Allamerican Ingot, Rustler Hanover, Badlands Nitro, Western Maverick, Metropolitan, Kilowatt, Rambaran, Well Said and If I Can Dream.
Abercrombie line - Artsplace, Artiscape, Art Major, Astreos, Real Artist, Mister Big, Modern Art, Art Official, Life Sign, Real Desire, Artesian, Peruvian Hanover, I Am A Fool, Albert Albert, Sportsmaster, Dream Away, Dream Work and Grinfromeartoear.
Cam Fella line - Bettors Delight, Camluck, Four Starzz Shark, Cams Card Shark, No Pan Intended, Blissful Hall, Allamerican Native, Presidential Ball, Million Dollar Cam, Cambest, E Dees Cam, Aces N Sevens, Sir Luck, Northern Luck, DM Dillinger and Cammibest.
Other
Hal Dale branches still going include
Meadow Skipper line sires like
Jennas Beach Boy, who traces back through
French Chef, and
Dragon Again, who is from the
Tyler B line, Tyler being a son of
Most Happy Fella, like Cam Fella.
Volomite - The Ultimate Outcross and Crossover lineVolomite made his mark in the pacing world through the progeny of
Bye Bye Bird, but after that line died out the torch was picked up by
Direct Scooter and his son
Matt Scooter, grandsire of
Somebeachsomewhere via Tara Hills Farm stallion
Mach Three.
In trotting,
Volomite was the major player through
Star's Pride (Super Bowl / Supergill, Chocolatier),
Nevele Pride (Bonefish, Kadabra) and
Hickory Pride (SJS Photo / SJS Caviar).
Super Bowl line sires - Supergill, Chocolatier, Striking shabra, Malabar Man, Credit Winner, Texas, CR Commando, American winner, Royal Troubadour, Super pleasure and Joie De Vie.
After being eclipsed by
Speedster / Speedy Crown line sires, Volomite experienced a major revival with the success of the
Garland Lobell sons Angus Hall, Andover Hall and Conway Hall. Volomite grandson
Noble Victory was the sire of
Balanced Image in addition to being grandsire of Garland Lobell, whose other grandsons include
Windsongs Legacy,
Majestic Son, Broadway Hall and
Holy Guacamole.
Speedster to Speedy Crown to Valley Victory to Muscles Yankee to Muscle HillAll other top trotting stallions trace to
Speedster, primarily through the
Valley Victory / Muscles Yankee (Muscle Hill) trunk of the
Speedy Crown line. Speedster son
Arnie Almahurst lives on, through offspring of son
Florida Pro and grandson
Pine Chip.
There is tremendous diversity along the top line of high level Speedster line trotting stallions as indicated by the main three branches:
A) Valley Victory line - Muscles Yankee, Muscle Hill, Yankee Glide, Glidemaster, Deweycheatemnhowe, Self Possessed, Cantab Hall, Donerail, Valley Victor, Ken Warkentin, Lindy Lane, Like A Prayer, Strong Yankee, Tom Ridge, Mutineer, and Southwind Lustre
B) Speedy Crown line - Speedy Somolli, Valley Victory, Mr Lavec, Royal Prestige, Crowning Point, King Conch, Inconchnito, Prakas, Defiant Yankee, Incredible Abe, Armro Goal, Rule The Wind,
C) Speedster line - Speedy Scot, speedy Crown, Arnie Almahurst, Speedy Count, Arndon, Pine Chip, Florida Pro, Enjoy Lavec, Dream Vacation, Magna Force, Spellcaster, Dream Of Glory, Speed In Action, Overcomer and
Those interested in preserving diversity in top line choices should consider breeding at least one mare to pacing stallions (or sons of these studs) like
Falcon Seelster son
McArdle, who traces to
Bret Hanover and Adios via Falcon Seelster's sire
Warm Breeze,
Apaches Fame, Dragon Again,
Cole Muffler (Tyler B son),
Real Desire / I Am a Fool (who both trace to
Abercrombie through
Life Sign),
Amigo Hall (a son of Balanced Image),
Mach Three / Royal Mattjesty (
Matts Scooter sons) and, if you have a world-class mare and are flush,
Somebeachsomewhere.
