A son of Sweet Lou has topped the Australian Pacing Gold 2025 Perth Yearling Sales, with the hammer falling at $135,000 for Four Diamonds Pacing.
Offered by Serpentine-based stud Copper Lodge, the striking colt – out of Maddy White – attracted plenty of attention at Sunday’s sale in the Swan Valley.
The sale grossed $3.29 million, with a more than $30,000 average lot price.
Speaking to Racing WA, Copper Lodge breeder Mike Howie said the steady sale results displayed continued interest in WA harness racing.
Copper Lodge led the way, fetching three of the top five most lucrative lots sold.
“The APG Sales are a major source of horse replenishment for owners and trainers providing a chance for them to acquire new stock for the future of racing,” Mike said.
“Four Diamonds Pacing have been regular buyers of our horses and had some great success.
“As breeders, you want to sell horses to good owners and see them win races and then they’re likely to come back the following year and buy another one.”
Four Diamonds Pacing will be looking to replicate its success with another purchase from Copper Lodge, after claiming victory in the 3YO Sales Classic at Gloucester Park last Friday with Its Maa Time – a 2023 sales acquisition from the esteemed breeder.
Trainer-driver Aiden De Campo, of Four Diamonds Pacing, said the sales played a crucial role in the success of his business and the growth of the industry.
“I buy young horses, syndicate them and educate them to the best of my ability with the aim to get a good result for the owners,” he said.
“In WA, the sales are so important to bolster the horse population here, and you can get a horse for every budget.”
Aiden is eager for what lies ahead with his latest purchase from Copper Lodge, made even more special by his history with the dam, Maddy White.
As a trainer-reinsman, he previously drove Maddy White and won a Group 1 with her first foal, Floewriter – the first horse he bought at the Perth yearling sales.
“Mike Howie has been a big supporter of my stable, I’ve had a lot of success with the product he’s bred and we’re happy to keep buying through Copper Lodge,” he said.
“This horse was no exception to the rest of the family. He’s a big, strong type of horse from a lineage we’ve had a lot of success with, I’m really excited for him.”
Josh Miller