English-born but Brisbane based Sue Smith fell in love with Courage Under Fire during his racing career, which spanned from 1997-2002.

She now has six broodmares and is trying to breed to other high quality stallions.

"I got interested in breeding standardbred yearlings after watching the mighty Courage Under Fire race in Brisbane and decided I wanted to breed a foal by him. He was only small but had such a smooth action and a great heart.

"My Breeding business is called "Kourage Kids" after my love of the little champ, and the fact that every new broodmare I acquire is first bred to ‘Courage'," Smith said.

"I tried unsuccessfully to lease a mare for a season and bought my first broodmare Jazzy Jasmyn specifically to breed and race one of his offspring. That dream is now a 2 year old 'Courage' filly named -Kiss Me Courage - which is just now being educated as I wanted to give her time to grow as she is a big girl like her Mum," she added.

After her first mare and a "good tax return" Smith bought a second mare to keep her company. She now has six broodmares and her goal all along has been to breed some nice foals to some very high quality stallions.

"I have an Artsplace colt from Erin Finn & she is in foal to Somebeachsomewhere. I would like to sell this foal at the Melbourne APG Premium sale, as this would indicate that I am producing top quality foals. If I wasn't selling this foal I would love the name - Somedreamscometrue - however this will be up to the new owner to decide.

Smith hand-mixes the horses food and feeds them twice a day with her own special formulae.

"Several trainers have seen what I feed them and have commented that I feed them better than most racehorses. I firmly believe that feeding the mares and foals well is the only way to maximize their potential," Smith said.

Smith will have four yearlings for sale at this year's Brisbane 2010 Yearling Sale at Albion Park on Sunday March 21.

"I have met many fantastic people in the harness racing industry from owners to breeders to trainers and yearling preparers & stallion studs. Of special mention I would thank Jurgon and Chris Fischer who have done a wonderful job with my horses including yearling preparation; Blanche Poole from Rhiannon Park who has looked after my mares and foals and Lyn & Blair from Twisted Stick Lodge who have done such a wonderful job with Erin Finn and her foals."

Duane RANGER (editor) and Sue SMITH