Third Group 1 success for Mercano
December 14, 2025
When he won the $60,000 Breeders Crown Final at Melton on Saturday (December 13) the TACTICAL LANDING gelding Mecarno notched his third Group 1 success and his sixth win on end and he is entitled to be rated this season’s top three-year-old male trotter.
Earlier in the season he won the $60,000 Victoria Trotters Derby and the $60,000 Vicbred Super Series Final. From 12 starts this season, Mecarno has won nine with one placing for $126,790 in stakes, making him the richest for his age, gait and sex.
In the Breeders Crown, Mecarno settled down midfield before being sent forward three-wide in the middle stages to reach the lead. He was never again headed. Mecarno eventually won under a hold by 6.7 metres, rating 1:58.5 for 2240 metres with the last 800 in a slick 56.6 seconds.
Bred and part-owned by Gary Hull, Mecarno is out of the $100,000 winning Sundon mare Sundon’s Pride and is her fourth foal and third winner.
Peter Wharton
More Fame for son of Tactical Landing
Fame And Glory, a five-year-old son of TACTICAL LANDING, made a triumphant return to racing after a 14 months lay-off when he captured a Group 2 race over 2850 metres with a first prize of 120,000 Euros at Vincennes, Paris on Saturday (Nov 29).
After enjoying a box-seat trail, Fame And Glory assumed control rounding the final turn and defied all challengers to win by three-quarters of a length.
Fame And Glory will race next on December 21 in the Prix Tenor de Baune, where the winner will receive a wild card to the Prix d’Amerique in January.
By Peter Wharton
Mecarno – top 3yo male trotter
November 24, 2025
The TACTICAL LANDING gelding Mecarno firmly established himself as the top three-year-old male trotter in the country when he scored a brave, fighting win in the Group 1 $60,000 Vicbred Super Series Final at Melton on Saturday (November 22).
Starting from outside the second row, the gelding was sent forward three deep in the early stages to race upsides with the leader. Despite having to work overtime, Mecarno reeled off quarters in 28.6 and 29.6 seconds to gain the upper hand in the drive to the wire.
He rated a career-best 1:57.3 for 2240 metres from behind the mobile barrier. It was his fourth success on end and his second at Group 1 level. Mecarno has won seven of his 10 starts this season for $91,790 and is clearly the richest of his age, gait and sex. He has banked $94,990 lifetime.
Out of the $112,000 winning Sundon mare Sundon’s Pride, Mecarno was bred by Gary Hull and Errol Johnson and is raced by Hull and his wife Tracy.
By Peter Wharton
Victoria Trotters Derby winner
by Tactical Landing
November 3, 2025
Tough and talented TACTICAL LANDING gelding Mecarno proved too strong for his rivals in the Group 1 $60,000 Victoria Trotters Derby at Maryborough.
Starting from the back row, the gelding was sent forward three wide in the early stages to race upsides with the leader. Digging deep into his reserves of stamina, Mecarno forged to the front in the closing stages to win by 1.9 metres. He rated 2:00.9 for the gruelling 2690 metres trip with the final two quarters in 28.8 and 27.8.
It was his third success on end and his sixth from just 12 lifetime starts and lifted his stake tally to $64,990. Out of the $112,000 winning Sundon mare Sundon’s Pride, Mecarno was bred by Gary Hull and Errol Johnson and is raced by Hull and his wife Tracy.
By Peter Wharton
Brilliant Yo Tillie captures
USA Breeders Crown title
October 26, 2025
The TACTICAL LANDING three-year-old filly Yo Tillie coasted to victory in 1:51.6 in the $664,500 Breeders Crown Final at Woodbine Mohawk Park, Canada on October 25.
After settling down in third position, Yo Tillie was sent to the top by Todd McCarthy at the end of the 56.4 seconds opening half. She was never again headed, scoring by a length on the line.
Yo Tillie has notched 11 wins and a second from 12 starts this year for earnings of $979,195, making her the richest for her age, gait and sex. She has won 19 of her 24 lifetime starts and $1.77 million in stakes.
By Peter Wharton
International winners by Tactical Landing
TACTICAL LANDING sired important winners in both hemispheres last weekend.
Omega River, a three-year-old gelding, led throughout to win the prestigious TravCriterium, carrying a winner’s purse of $US315,000, rating 1:56.8 for 2640 metres at Solvalla Raceway, Sweden on Saturday (October 11). It was his fifth win from seven starts.
One night earlier, Overwatch, a three-year-old gelding by TACTICAL LANDING, won at its debut at Alexandra Park, Auckland, NZ. He is out of a mare by Love You.
By Peter Wharton
Southwind Chaska sweeps Red Mile
October 5, 2025
The brilliant TACTICAL LANDING filly Southwind Chaska backed up from her lifetime-best performance in the Bluegrass Stakes to score a gallant 1:52.2 victory in a $108,000 division of the International Stallion Stakes for two-year-old fillies at The Red Mile, Kentucky on Saturday (October 4).
Starting from the No. 4 gate, the filly led from practically the outset and held on gamely to win by a head.
Southwind Chaska has won six of her eight starts for $237,625 in stakes.
TACTICAL LANDING has sired the winners of $4.76 million to date this season.
By Peter Wharton
Tactical Landing leads sires on average
at Lexington sale
TACTICAL LANDING was the leading sire based on average price at the opening session of the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale on Monday (September 29). He had four head sell for $1,045,000, an average of $261,250.
Umbria, a TACTICAL LANDING colt out of the $790,000 winning Donato Hanover mare Anoka Hanover, sold for $475,000, the second highest price paid for a trotting colt on the day.
The TACTICAL LANDING filly Midwind Bridgette (ex Boccone Dolce) was knocked down for $260,000, while another filly, Fascination (ex Pin Kronos S) sold for $190,000 and the colt Roobios (ex Long Island Tea) fetched $120,000.
By Peter Wharton
Bluegrass double for Tactical Landing
September 26, 2025
The TACTICAL LANDING two-year-old fillies Southwind Chaska and Jailbird Jog captured $94,500 divisions of the Bluegrass Series at The Red Mile, Kentucky on Friday (September 26).
Starting from the No. 7 gate, Southwind Chaska led early, then handed up and overpowered her rivals in the final eighth to win by a half-length. Her time for the flying mile was 1:51.8, a full three seconds better than her previous mark. Southwind Chaska has now won five of her seven starts and $183,625 in stakes.
Jailbird Jog led for the last half-mile to score an effortless win in a lifetime best 1:52.4 in her division. She has won three of her nine outings for $118,650.
Meanwhile, the TACTICAL LANDING three-year-old fillies Yo Tillie and Champagne Problems both finished runner-up in their $73,800 divisions of Saturday (September 27).
Yo Tillie 1:50.4 ($636,783) remains the fastest and richest of her age, gait and sex in North America this year.
TACTICAL LANDING has sired the winners of $4.6 million to date in 2025.
By Peter Wharton
Commonwealth Series quinella
for Tactical Landing
September 20, 2025
The $100,000 Kentucky Commonwealth Series Final for three-year-old fillies, run at The Red Mile on Monday (September 15), proved a triumph for TACTICAL LANDING as the sire of the winner Tactical Moni and the runner-up Best Friends Girl.
Tactical Moni hoisted a fresh lifetime mark of 1:50.6. She has now won six races with a second from nine starts for $103,300 in stakes. TACTICAL LANDING has sired the winners of $4.3 million to date this year.
Peter Wharton
Tactical Landing’s Kentucky double
September 15, 2025
The TACTICAL LANDING sired Yo Tillie and Country Glide captured both $400,000 Kentucky Championship Series finals for trotting fillies at The Red Mile on Sunday night (September 14).
Yo Tillie notched her 12th success on end, while Country Glide made her first trip to the winner’s circle.
After settling down fourth, Yo Tillie assumed control prior to the end of the opening half in 55.6 seconds. She was never seriously threatened thereafter, scoring by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:51.
Yo Tillie boasts a lifetime record of 17 wins and two placings from 21 starts and $923,633 in stakes. She is clearly the richest and fastest of her age, gait and sex this season with a bankroll of $618,333 and a record of 1:50.4.
Having her seventh start, Country Glide led from the outset and held on valiantly to win by a head in 1:52.6. The winner of $246,000, Country Glide is from a mare by Yankee Glide.
TACTICAL LANDING has left the winners of $4.2 million to date this year.
By Peter Wharton
New Jersey Classic double
September 7, 2025
Boom trotting stallion TACTICAL LANDING sired the quinella pair in both $250,000 New Jersey Classic finals for female trotters at The Meadowlands on Friday night (September 5).
In the three-year-old fillies’ division Yo Tillie produced a 26.6 closing quarter to nip the leader Champagne Problems in the last few strides in a career-best 1:50.4. It was her eleventh success on end and her 16th from 20 lifetime starts. She has banked more than $700,000.
Earlier in the night, the TACTICAL LANDING’s two-year-old daughter Lipstick came from fourth on the home turn to capture her division in 1:54.
Second a head away was another TACTICAL LANDING filly, Southwind Chaska. The win increased Lipstick’s earnings to $163,500. Lipstick is out of the $580,000 winning Lucky Chucky mare Non Stick.
TACTICAL LANDING is now fourth on the two-year-old sires’ premiership and fifth on the three-year-old table.
By Peter Wharton
Tactical Landing sires winners in three countries
August 30, 2025
Boom trotting sire TACTICAL LANDING left important winners in three different countries on Friday (August 29).
The four-year-old Summermusicnight started the ball rolling by winning the rich German Trotters Derby at Berlin’s Mariendorf track.
A trio of TACTICAL LANDING’s progeny in the glamour three-year-old filly Yo Tillie (1:52) and the two-year-olds Practical Man (1:55.8) and Southwind Chaska (1:56.2) annexed $25,000 eliminations of the New Jersey Classic at The Meadowlands.
In New Zealand, Tactical Bid, a four-year-old gelding bred by Stallions Australasia, completed back-to-back successes with a 3-1/4 lengths romp at Addington. He has won three of his nine starts to date.
By Peter Wharton
New Jersey Classic double
September 6, 2025
Boom trotting stallion TACTICAL LANDING sired the quinella pair in both $250,000 New Jersey Classic finals for female trotters at The Meadowlands on Friday night (September 5).
In the three-year-old fillies’ division Yo Tillie produced a 26.6 closing quarter to nip the leader Champagne Problems in the last few strides in a career-best 1:50.4. It was her eleventh success on end and her 16th from 20 lifetime starts. She has banked more than $700,000.
Earlier in the night, the TACTICAL LANDING’s two-year-old daughter Lipstick came from fourth on the home turn to capture her division in 1:54.
Second a head away was another TACTICAL LANDING filly, Southwind Chaska.
The win increased Lipstick’s earnings to $163,500. Lipstick is out of the $580,000 winning Lucky Chucky mare Non Stick.
TACTICAL LANDING is now fourth on the two-year-old sires’ premiership and fifth on the three-year-old table.
By Peter Wharton
Tactical Landing colt wins Canadian feature
August 25, 2025
Talented TACTICAL LANDING two-year-old colt Ardonne took out the $485,000 Grade 1 William Wellwood Memorial in a stakes record-equalling 1:52.8 at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday (August 23).
Starting from the No. 6 gate, the colt settled down in third position before working to the front approaching the near of the 56 seconds opening half. He peeled off sectionals of 28.6 and 28.2 to score by 2-1/2 lengths.
Ardonne has won twice and been three times placed from six starts for $256,300 in stakes and he is the richest of his age, gait and sex in North America this year. He is out of a mare by Father Patrick.
Meanwhile, the TACTICAL LANDING four-year-old Tactical Bid notched his second win from eight outings at Rangiora, New Zealand on Sunday (August 24). The gelding is from a Pegasus Spur mare.
TACTICAL LANDING has been represented by seven individual winners from 23 foals in NZ.
By Peter Wharton
Yo Tillie in record-breaking win
August 19, 2025
The TACTICAL LANDING three-year-old filly Yo Tillie hoisted a fresh stakes and track record of 1:51.4 when she scored a commanding win in the Grade 1 $250,000 Delmonica Hanover at Pocono Downs, Pennsylvania on Saturday (August 16).
Starting from the No. 6 hole, Yo Tillie settled down in third position before working to the top at the end of the first half in 55.8 seconds. She was never again headed.
Peeling off fractions of 27.6 and 28, Yo Tillie won as she liked by three quarters of a length. It was her sixth success from as many starts this season and her 14th from 18 lifetime starts. She has banked $592,383.
Yo Tillie is the fastest and the second richest for her age, gait and sex this year. TACTICAL LANDING has sired the winners of almost $2.6 million this season.
Peter Wharton
Eight on end for Yo Tillie
August 8, 2025
The talented TACTICAL LANDING three-year-old filly The talented TACTICAL LANDING three-year-old filly Yo Tillie extended her winning skein to eight and hoisted a fresh season’s record for one her age, gait and sex when she captured the $80,000 Kentucky Championship Series leg at The Red Mile on Monday (August 4).
After enjoying the box seat trail, Yo Tillie was given her cue rounding the home turn and producing a stunning 27.4 final quarter to score by open lengths. She clocked 1:51.2 for the flying mile. Yo Tillie now boasts the excellent scoreline of 13 wins and two placings from 17 starts for $467,383.
TACTICAL LANDING has sired the winners of $2.2 million to date this year, of which his three-year-olds have earned $970,000 and his two-year-olds $450,000.
By Peter Wharton
Tactical Landing strikes Gold
August 1, 2025
TACTICAL LANDING sired two winners of the Kentucky Golden Rod Series for two-year-old fillies at The Red Mile on July 30.
All Fancy Like, who is out of a Muscle Mass mare, led throughout at her second start in 1:55.2, while Guinevere (ex Donato Hanover mare) made it two for two in her end-to-end triumph in 1:55.8.
On the same card the TACTICAL LANDING two-year-old filly Victoriana’s Secret came from last to finish a close third in the $80,000 Kentucky Championship Series.
TACTICAL LANDING has sired the winners of almost $2 million already this season in North America.
By Peter Wharton
Stakes winners by Tactical Landing
July 13, 2025
The brilliant TACTICAL LANDING three-year-old filly Yo Tillie put up the fastest time of her age, gait and sex this season when she scored a commanding win in 1:51 in a $141,600 Del Miller Memorial at The Meadowlands on Saturday night (July 12).
Trapped wide in the early stages, the filly worked to the front at the end of the opening 55.2 first half and proceeded to blitz her rivals, winning by 3-1/2 lengths from another TACTICAL LANDING daughter, Lady Landia.
Jo Tillie is now three-for-three this year and has a lifetime record of 11 wins and two placings from 15 starts for $408,539 in stakes. She is out of a mare by Triumphant Caviar (grandson of S J’s Photo).
TACTICAL LANDING’s two-year-olds have hit the ground running this season.
Jailbird Jog (1:55.8) and Victoriana’s Secret (1:56) both won $40,000 splits of the Kentucky Sire Stakes for two-year-old fillies at Oak Grove, Southwind Chaska captured a $25,000 leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes in 1:55.4 at The Meadowlands, while Southwind Alamo (2YO colt) and Abbey Blue Chip (2YO filly) took out $25,000 legs of the Kindergarten Series at The Meadowlands in 1:55,2 and 1:”56.4 respectively.
In Australia, TACTICAL LANDING was represented by Ruby’s Dream, the tough winner of the Vicbred Platinum Trotting Mares Sprint Championship Final in a career-best 1:56 rate at Melton, and Kyvalley Maven, who won effortlessly at Bendigo.
Ruby’s Dream is unbeaten in three attempts this season and has won six out of nine lifetime. Both are members of TACTICAL LANDING’s first small crop.
Peter Wharton
Tactical Landing’s service fee reduced
July 1, 2025
Stallions Australasia has announced a cut in the service fee for champion trotting sire Tactical Landing for the 2025/26 stud season. His fee is $9,900 including GST.
A Breeders Crown champion and the winner of nine of his 16 starts and $811,800, Tactical Landing has been among the top bracket of North American trotting sires since his first crop raced in 2022.
The Muscle Hill horse was the season’s second leading rookie sire and finished sixth on the overall two-year-old list. The following season he finished third on the three-year-old table, fourth on the two-year-old list and seventh on the all aged premiership.
Last season Tactical Landing was fourth on both the two and three-year-old lists and sixth overall with progeny earnings of $6.9 million.
In all, Tactical Landing has sired the winners of $16.6 million, an average of almost $65,000 per starter. He has left 63 in 1:55, two in 1:50, 32 $100,000 earners and four millionaires.
Among his winners have been the last two Hambletonian champions Karl ($2 million) and Tactical Approach ($1.5 million), the 2024 USA 3YO Trotting Filly of the Year Allegiant ($1 million), the 2024 USA 2YO Trotting Filly of the Year Champagne Problems, Mambacita ($1 million), the Breeders Crown winner Lady Landia, Tactical Mounds (1:49.8) and Mommamia Volo (1:50).
In Australia and New Zealand, Tactical Landing has been represented by some smart young trotters from relatively small crops including the Tatlow winner Kyvalley Maven, Ruby’s Dream, a winner of five of her eight starts, Mecarno, Wilma’s Boy and Paramount Lady.
Peter Wharton
‘Down Under’ winners by Tactical Landing
June, 6, 2025
The Muscle Hill horse TACTICAL LANDING has left a number of useful trotting winners from his small Australasian crops this year.
In Australia, TACTICAL LANDING ranks as the sire of Rubys Dream, who notched her fourth success on end at Ballarat on Wednesday (June 5), the highly promising three-year-old Mecarno, who completed back-to-back wins at Melton and Geelong, and the Group 3 winner Kyvalley Maven, a winner at Horsham at his first outing this season.
In New Zealand, TACTICAL LANDING’s recent winners include the dual Addington victor Wilma’s Boy, Paramount Lady (Auckland) Wanna Play A Gamje (Ashburton) and the Auckland three-year-old winner Tactical Approach.
Last season Tactical Landing finished fourth on the two and three-year-old sire premierships in North America and sixth on the all aged list. He has sired the winners of more than $16 million from only four racing crops in USA.
Peter Wharton
Stallions Australasia 