Respected breeder Helen Head has been breeding pacers for more than 40 years and has produced a series of elite performers in Victoria.
Her all-American broodmare gem Spirited Storm left gun juvenile and now promising sire The Storm Inside (1.50.7, $311K), who won his first 11 starts, including the $150,000 APG 2YO colts final in 2016.
She also left tough campaigner Firestorm Red (1.52, $300K).
Other outstanding performers bred by Head include Tasmanian Derby winner Garnet River (1.50, $555K), dual VicBred final winner Tell Me Tales (1.49.3, $360K) speedy gelding The Fortunate Son (1.49.5, $122K) and Seymour Nursery runner-up Detroit Dan (1.56.8, $118K).
But without a doubt the jewel in the crown of the four-decade breeding program is grand circuit campaigner Safari (1.55.7, $535K), who became a country cups specialist in the mid-2000s, winning the Group 1 Ballarat Cup, Bendigo Cup, the Horsham Cup and the Geelong Cup.
The first of Head’s yearlings in the 2025 APG Melbourne Yearling Sale on February 2 hails from the Safari family, a bloodline that Head has continued for four generations.
Lot 35 is a Bettor’s Wish colt from a half sister to Safari, Our Star Dust (1.54.2, $70K), who has already produced VicBred 3YO fillies final placegetter Eureka Jo (1.54.5, $118K).
This colt’s grandam, Star Chaser, was an absolute star in the breeding barn.
Safari was her first foal and she followed with three more $100,000 earners, including Astronaut (1.53.6, $264K), Major Frank (1.52.8, $119K) and VicBred 2YO fillies final winner Our Maid Marianne (1.57.9, $110K).
Head’s second colt, Lot 46, is by Fear The Dragon from unraced Art Major mare Shes Offlimits, the dam of three-time 2024 3YO winner Letsgetrowdy (1.58.7, $10K).
The cross of Fear The Dragon over an Art Major mare has produced the stallion’s top earner in Australia, 2YO NSW Breeders Challenge Blue runner-up Double Fear (1.52, $89K) and Home Grown final winner Komodo (1.56, $56K).
Shes Offlimits is a half sister to four winners, including star filly Tell Me Tales who won 20 of her 32 starts.
Her grandam, Smooth Performer (1.58.9, $191K) was 1991 NZ 3YO filly of the year and produced Australian Derby winner Franco Sequel (1.51, $353K).
For full details of Helens entries and all yearlings in the 2025 Melbourne Yearling Sale please visit our Online Sales Catalogue.
