by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications

Harrisburg, PA — Trainer Bobby Myers didn’t have to think long to identify what he liked about one of the highest priced Delaware-bred yearlings ever, Manchester United, who sold for $75,000 as hip number 818 at the Standardbred Horse Sale in Harrisburg on Wednesday morning.

USTA/Ellen Harvey photo

Manchester United sold for $75,000 on Wednesday at The Standardbred Horse Sale.

“Everything,” Myers joked. “He’s very nice and he’s from a good family.”

Manchester United was bred by Winbak Farm and is a son of Badlands Hanover and the Topnotcher daughter Cambridge United.

The dam of Manchester United has two colts, by Cam’s Card Shark and Jate Lobell, with earnings in excess of $200,000 and sub 1:52 marks.

“He’s just a great individual. The Badlands (Hanovers) have been on the (Grand) Circuit and it looks like they can compete and he sure looks the part. That didn’t bother me. My owner (Al Carter) told me, ‘Just bring him home.’ He’s a great owner.”

Myers is bullish on the Badlands Hanover side of the family as well.

“I’ve got one that broke the track record at Harrington in the (fifth) start of her life (1:55.4) — Rusty’s Joy.”

The “Rusty” prefix will soon be attached to Manchester United’s name, says Myers.

“That was Al Carter’s nickname in college. This one will be named Rusty something.”

Judy Davis-Wilson, administrator of the Delaware Breeders Fund, confirmed that Manchester United’s sales price is one of the highest ever for a Delaware-bred yearling.

“I think this is reflective of our program, with $3.2 million in purses, because in this financial climate, that is a fantastic price.”