Standardbred Sire Lines - Dominant and Outcross

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 line

Volomite 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 Hill

All 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.