APG's 2025 QLD Sale Bound for Ipswich

Australian Pacing Gold is delighted to announce that our 2025 Sales season has been set and the Queensland sale will be conducted at the Ipswich Turf Club, Bundamba for the first time. Changing venues can always be a big mix up for a sale but APG are keen to work with the Ipswich Turf Club to make this as seamless an experience as possible.

APG general manager Anthony Essex said: “We were in discussion with Albion Park to hold the sale at their venue again as per their request, but they priced themselves out of the ballpark. We even spent a couple of days talking to vendors and buyers about having a 1-day sale at Albion, in which many were excited about but now I do believe Ipswich Turf Club will be a better fit for APG moving forward into our sale next year and the years thereafter.”

The Ipswich auction is an integral part of a busy schedule for Australian Pacing Gold with sales to be conducted on three consecutive weekends. Melbourne will kick off the 2025 sales on Sunday, February 2, followed by Ipswich on Sunday, February 9 and Sydney on Sunday, February 16. The Perth sale will be held on Sunday, March 2.

Nathan Exelby, the general manager of the Ipswich Turf Club, said: “Our club are looking forward to hosting the sale. It doesn’t affect the day-to-day running of our business at all. We are very happy to facilitate it.

“It’s just another event that we can have here but one that we can really invest in strongly and hopefully get a great result for APG.

“We are very proud of our facility, and we’d like to showcase it to as many people as possible,” Exelby said.

“Ipswich is closer to home for many of the harness racing participants and it will be more convenient for them to get here.”

Margaret Donohoe, the manager of Monarch Farm, said: “It’s a great idea. It’s closer to those that live on the Downs. It’s really a nice facility.”

Lindsay Vagg, the proprietor of ‘Victree’, Southbrook, said: “Albion Park is the home of harness racing in Queensland but not at the cost they were charging, so Ipswich is probably the next best venue. 

“Ipswich is pretty central to everyone. A lot of our younger trainers are around that area.

 “It’s where the bulk of the yearlings are coming from.”

Burwood Stud proprietor Noel Denning said: “We’ll be closer to the main part of the harness industry on the western side of Brisbane. Everyone tells me that Ipswich is a pretty good setup. We will be supporting the sale.”

Being the 1st year of sales at a new venue, APG has some major planning ahead but the buzz and excitement from all will make this sale stand out in their roster. And let’s not forget – the APG National Mixed Sale is open for bids on the 2nd of August starting at 12 noon. Visit the Online Auction Page for the full list of lots and the ability to register as a bidder.

Whether you are new to harness, or a lifelong enthusiast, it pays to remember one thing. APG has a Horse for Everyone.