Figures up at Karaka

As the second session of Karaka’s three-day Select Yearling Sale drew to a close, average and median figures both registered increases on last year’s renewal. The average price over the first two days of selling stood at NZ$50,036, up 8%, while the median reached NZ$36,750, a 5% gain. The clearance rate was 74%, a similar figure to last year. 

The highest-priced yearling on day 2 (lot 657), at NZ$210,000, represented the cross of two champion sires in New Zealand, being by O’Reilly (NZ), out of the winning mare Saheel (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}). Legendary sire Zabeel, whose very last yearling to go through a sales ring fetched NZ$160,000 at this week’s Premier Sale, is a prolific broodmare sire with his daughters having produced 23 Group 1 winners to date. The Kirkwall Thoroughbreds offering was knocked down to Australian-based owner Colin Keane, whose horses all carry ‘Eagle’ in their name. The colt became the fifth horse to reach NZ$200,000 at this year’s Select Sale — last year, only one horse fetched NZ$200,000 or more. 

“He’s a colt we picked out a couple of days ago and we liked him from the start,” commented Pike. “He cost enough, but compared with what nice O’Reillys were selling for in [the Premier Sale], he was reasonably priced.” The successful bidder continued, “It’s a good cross with an extremely proven broodmare sire, and I’ve had some luck with O’Reilly’s progeny in the past with the likes of [four-time G1 winner] Sacred Falls, so hopefully this one turns out something like him.” 

The second highest price of the day was NZ$190,000 paid by Queensland trainer John Morrisey for lot 833, a colt by Epsom Derby winning sire Authorized (Ire) from Hallmark Stud. Hallmark is enjoying a stellar week, providing both Wednesday’s record-breaking lot and the Karaka Million winner Hardline (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}). Having sold all ten horses in their draft so far, the Te Kauwhata nursery currently dominates the vendors’ standing by both aggregate (NZ$1,171,000) and average (NZ$117,100). 

International buyers have been making their presence felt at Karaka, with the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Jamie Walter’s Proven Thoroughbreds, John Morrisey and Henry Dwyer all featuring among the top ten investors. 
One prominent international figure who signed the docket on his first-ever visit to New Zealand was Newmarket trainer Luca Cumani. The master of Bedford House Stables secured lot 840 in conjunction with local bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo. The pair went to NZ$60,000 to secure the filly by Road to Rock (Aus) from Little Avondale Stud.