By Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
Triumphant Redcliffe Paceway trainer and regular Sales attendee, Patrick Croghan, is advising buyers not to hesitate at tomorrow’s (Sunday, 24th March) 17th annual Redcliffe Yearling Sale.
“I’ve been going to the Sales for several years now, and especially enjoy the Redcliffe Sale because there is no reserve or upset price. It’s the best value Sale going around,” Patrick Estate-based Croghan said.
The 43-year-old father-of-two took two horses to Redcliffe Paceway and both won on Thursday (March 21). He said the half-siblings were both passed in at the Redcliffe Yearling Sales in the 2021 and 2022.
At 12.07pm on Thursday the Croghan-trained and Peter McMullen driven, Dared To Dream, made a big sweeping long run from the 350m to bolt away to win the first race on the RHRC nine-race card by a whopping 27.4-metres
The 4-year-old Art Major mare was the $2.10 co-favourite and has now won two of her 18 starts. She also claimed a $7,500 second Q-bred bonus for Croghan.
Then 40 minutes later Croghan and McMullen teamed up with Dared to Dream’s younger Sweet Lou half-brother, No Family Likemine. That 3-year-old gelding zoomed along the passing lane to score easily by 6.7 metres.
My advice tomorrow is not to hesitate because you won’t get a better deal anywhere else.
“I’m only working three at the moment – the siblings and Awholelotofpretty (6yo black Sunshine Beach – Teamenup mare). She’s won 12 races and has been racing well at Albion Park, whereas the siblings are more Redcliffe types.
“The 3-year-old is probably second best in my stable. He’s got some speed but is raw and has a long way to go. but in saying that I was really pleased with his first trial. He had led up to that win.
“As for Dared To Dream, she also showed a lot of speed in her last quarter to win. She was graded in the right race, and we were fortunate that the co-favourite broke at the start,” Croghan said.
Croghan has now trained 156 winners from 591 starts since 2000-2001. He’s also placed 128 times and netted $275,667 in purses. His best season was in 2003-2004 when he conditioned 10 winners from 46 starts. This year his two victories from 14 starts have come via Dared To Dream and Awholeotofpretty.
“None of this would have been possible had it not be for Peter and Chantal McMullen. They were there when I needed them about a year ago, and I was proud on Thursday to have Peter’s colours win twice for me. I prefer his American silks to mine anyways,” Croghan said.
“Peter and Chantal have been huge. I really appreciate what they have done for me, and I thoroughly enjoy working for them here in Patrick Estate,” Croghan said..
Croghan’s winning siblings were out of the 2002 Panorama – Don’t Dilly (Land Grant) mare, Dare To Excel.
“I gave the mare away to Darren Ebert, and the last two are ironically the best. They were also the only two standardbreds from the mare to go through the Redcliffe Sale,” Croghan said.
Two years down the track, Croghan was still pleased his Sweet Lou gelding (No Family Likemine) was let go at the Sales.
“I’ve always loved Sweet Lou and what he’s produced. He’s done a brilliant job in American and both here and New Zealand. He’s such a strong stallion, and I’ll be going to see how his progeny goes on Sunday.
“I haven’t got any for sale this time, but will have two next year. I’ll definitely be going for a look because it’s a Sale I always enjoy. I especially like Lot 2 – a Sweet Lou – Patience Pays (Art Major) bay/brown filly. I’ll have to get there by start-time (12pm) if I want to have a good look at her,” Croghan said.
Croghan’s two Sweet Lou weanlings that he hopes to sell at next year’s Redcliffe Yearling Sale are A Sweet Lou – Gettn Gospel (Mach Three) filly born on October 1; and a Sweet Lou – Amiees Ideal (American Ideal) filly – born on September 23
2024 SALES CATOLGIUE:
https://www.darrenebertauctioneer.com.au/yearlingsale.php
An earlier preview on tomorrow’s (Sunday March 24) Sale can be viewed here:
So, who is Pat Croghan? He is married to Kerrie and they have two sons, Jake and Josh. For more read here:
