An exciting win by Debbie Lincoln (NZ) saw young sire Lather Up get his first Group One winner ahead of the 2026 National Yearling Sale.

Bred by Woodlands Stud, Debbie Lincoln is out of winning Sir Lincoln mare Yasmine Bromac (NZ) (Sir Lincoln), and she was offered through their 2022 NZB Standardbred National Weanling Sale draft where she was purchased by Debbie Green for $3,500.

Lincoln Farms’ John and Lynne Street joined Green in racing the filly, who was initially trained by Green’s husband Ray for her first eight starts before he was joined in partnership by Nathan Delany.

Debbie Lincoln won four races for the South Auckland barn before she was privately purchased at the start of the year.

She was runner-up in the Group Two Garrards Premier Mares Championship (1980m) before her career-defining victory in the Group One NZ Breeders’ Stakes (2600m) at Addington Raceway last Friday night.

From her outside draw on the front row, driver Kimberley Butt was positive off the arm, sending Debbie Lincoln forward to wrestle the lead heading into the first turn. They set the pace for the remainder of the first lap before relinquishing the top to Arafura (NZ) (Sweet Lou) at the bell, with Debbie Lincoln able to settle in the trail in the final lap.

Butt bided her time and was able to take full advantage of the passing lane when turning for home, with Debbie Lincoln scooting up the inside to score a 1-¼ length victory.

“It is just awesome,” commented Butt.

“I was happy to stay in front, but she was getting too keen so I thought I will hand up and hope that she relaxes on his helmet, and to her credit she did. Being able to relax probably made that difference in being able to get Arafura up the lane.”

The daughter of Lather Up has now won six and placed in nine of her 29 starts to date and earned just shy of $170,000 in prizemoney.

Lather Up is set to offer two yearlings at Karaka in Woodlands Stud’s draft in Lot 4 and Lot 109, while Pace Makers will offer one in Lot 65.

NZB’s 2026 National Standardbred Yearling Sale is taking place at the Karaka Sales Centre on Monday 16 February from 1pm, and at the RDA Building in Christchurch on Wednesday 18 February from 11am.

All horses purchased at the Sale are eligible for NZB Standardbred’s lucrative Harness Million Sales Race Series. The Series consists of principal two-year-old and three-year-old races for colts and geldings, fillies and trotters individually, where NZB Standardbred graduates can contest for their share in a one million dollar prizepool. Entries close Friday 6 March 2026.

From NZB Standardbred