By Daithi Harvey
Day One of New Zealand Bloodstock's two day National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale got off to a sound start on Monday when a son of Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) proved the star offering when selling to up-and-coming bloodstock agent Andrew Williams for NZ$175,000. Last year's sale was up significantly on 2015 so it was always going to be tough to match those gains and it was no surprise to see the aggregate of NZ$2,930,500 come in just a fraction shy of last year. The average of NZ$19,280 dipped 15% while the median of NZ$6,500 represented a more sizeable drop of 43%. The sale posted a clearance rate of 70%, albeit down from 87% in 2016.
The aforementioned sale topper was offered by Dan Myers as lot 217 and is the third produce of Phocis (NZ) (Encosta De Lago {Aus}) from the family of G1 Golden Slipper winner Vancouver (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro). It was a good day's business for Myers who sold four of the top six lots of the day ending up leading vendor by aggregate and average with 14 sold for a total of NZ$701,200 and an average price of NZ$50,086. It was also a very satisfying first trip to Karaka as an independent agent for New Zealand native Andrew Williams and he certainly made it worthwhile by also snapping up the second highest priced weanling. Williams had made his mark earlier in the day when purchasing lot 30, a colt by Savabeel (Aus) for NZ$170,000. Offered by Curraghmore, the September born weanling is out of multiple stakes winner Avisto (Tavistock {NZ}) who is a half-sister to stakes winner Celtic Tiger (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}). “I've been very impressed with the quality of weanlings on offer at Karaka,” commented Williams. “I was particularly taken by the clean and athletic looking Holy Roman Emperor colt who will suit Hong Kong.” Williams bought four in total for an aggregate of NZ$365,000 and of the Savabeel colt he commented, “He's a really athletic individual and I'm very happy to have got him on my first trip to Karaka under my own banner.”
Noted pinhookers Lyndhurst Farm got in on the action when they purchased lot 177, a colt by Hinchinbrook (Aus) from Dan Myers while another to make six figures from Myers' draft was lot 91, a colt by Tavistock (NZ), bought by MM Bloodstock for NZ$125,000. Selling continues Tuesday with more weanlings from lot 221 beginning 10 a.m. local time, followed by yearlings, 2-year-olds, racehorses, stallion shares and broodmares.
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