Country teen bitten by the harness bug

Luke Tabbakh was 14 when he met trainer Peter Tilbrook at the York trots.  

So began a three decade partnership that has produced a swag of winners, including a Group 1 2YO classic victory, and has now morphed into a commercial breeding program. 

Tabbakh and Tilbrook teamed up to win the 2YO fillies APG sales classic with La Mia Juliette (1.55.8, $139K) in 2014. 

The pair also had a great run with tough mare Vivere Damore (1.55, $247K), who won the Christmas Gift in 2020 and was prominent in mares free-for-alls for several years. 

Tabbakh started breeding when these mares retired from racing. 

“I became involved when I was a teenager going to the York trots and met Maryanne White and Peter Tilbrook at a meeting. It had all stemmed from there,” Tabbakh said. 

“I lived in York at that stage. I am based in Perth now and work as an air conditioning service technician. 

 “This is the first year I have bred to sell in the sales. I previously bred youngsters to race myself  

“I’m still yet to breed the elusive top liner as I’ve only recently started breeding – firstly with la Mia Juliette, who I bought from the sales and won a sales classic with 

“She is a 100 per cent producer so far with three of racing age for the winners, with a nice colt by Captain Ahab in the sale. 

“I currently have three broodmares - Vivere Damore, Vanzant and Blushing Mel.” 

 Tabbakh will offer three colts in the 2025 APG Perth Yearling Sale on March 2. 

The first, Lot 348, is a youngster by boom sire Stay Hungry from unraced Sportswriter mare Vanzant, who is a half sister to American Bullitt (1.56.6, $194K) and 2YO Pearl Classic placegetter Crowd Control (1.56, $153K). 

This colt’s dam is a grandam of broodmare gem Royal Tour, who has left winners of more than $850,000 is stakes 

Tabbakh said the Stay Hungry colt was probably the standout of the three youngsters. 

“He’s from a mare who had a lot of ability but got an injury just before the breeding season, so I decided to put her in foal,” he said. 

“She’s out of the mare Just Visiting, who was out of the very strong Royal Tour family which continues to produce every year.” 

His second offering, Lot 397, is a colt by promising new sire Captain Ahab from La Mia Juliette, who is already the dam of Velvet Shadow (2.00.5, $42K) and 2024 2YO winner Ravenous Romeo. This colt traces back to champion mare Dainty’s Daughter. 

The last colt to come through the ring is Lot 406, by the Canadian sire Century Farroh from Jilliby Tango, and is only her second foal. All 3 colts are being prepared by Amy Baxter in Byford.  

For full details of these or any other yearlings in the 2025 Perth Yearling Sale please visit APG’s Online Sales Catalogue or Register as a Buyer today! 

From APG Ltd