By Alan Carasso
The annual Hong Kong International Sale is truly one of a kind, as it brings together 3-year-olds bred and sold in both hemispheres to be offered exclusively to members of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. On paper, the 2017 renewal of the auction, held under the lights in the parade ring at Sha Tin Racecourse Friday evening, would have plenty to do to compare with the previous get-together, which produced an HK$8.5-million topper and a true contender for this Sunday's Hong Kong Derby in the form of Pakistan Star (Ger) (Shamardal). Only time will tell if the racetrack results match the sales sheets, but records tumbled Friday evening when a striking son of the late Hussonet eclipsed the eight-figure barrier when selling for HK$10.5 million (£1,095,462/US$1,352,222). The average of HK$4.51 million was 7.8% ahead of last year's figure, while the median price jumped by 20%.
“We are very pleased with tonight's results which clearly exhibited the enthusiasm of our owners and their recognition of the quality bloodstock sourced by the Club from the world's top sales,” commented Anthony Kelly, Executive Director of Racing Business and Operations for the HKJC.
With two late withdrawals, a total of 29 ready-to-run horses went under Tattersalls' auctioneer John O'Kelly's hammer, and it was at the sale's midpoint that things really took flight. Lot 16, whose sire had previously supplied G1 Hong Kong Mile winner Glorious Days (Aus) and Group 1 victor Contentment (Aus), was purchased by Mark Richards's team for A$160,000 at the 2015 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale just over two years ago. The October-foaled bay is a son of South Africa's champion stayer Almah (SAf) (Al Mufti), already the dam of GSW & G1SP Sensible Lover (Aus) (Good Journey) and a half-sister to South African GSW and Dubai GSP Zambucca (SAf) (Lundy's Liability {Brz}). The winning bidder was Peter Lau, chairman and CEO of International Housewares Retail Company Ltd. The hammer price bettered the previous record of HK$9 million set by a son of Fastnet Rock (Aus) in March 2012.
Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) has for years been the leading sire with his Hong Kong-based gallopers, including the likes of Designs On Rome (Ire), Rich Tapestry (Ire) and Beauty Only (Ire) to name but a few. With that in mind, it was little surprise that lot 24, a French-bred son of Lapland (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}) would be one of the most coveted lots when knocked down to Liu Yu Wen for HK$9 million. Wen also signed the ticket on Jing Jing Win (Aus) (Starcraft {NZ}), the aforementioned HK$8.5-million topper from last year's sale. An €55,000 purchase as a weanling out of the 2014 Arqana December Sale, the Feb. 24 foal was scooped up by the HKJC for €200,000 at the 2015 Goffs Orby Sale.
The outstanding dual-hemisphere sire More Than Ready, who will be represented by 2016 G1 Queensland Derby winner Eagle Way (Aus) in the Hong Kong edition this weekend, supplied the day's joint-third top-priced offering when lot 7 was sold to Brian Leung for HK$7.5 million. The Sept. 1 foal was an A$450,000 Inglis Easter yearling graduate. Lot 21, hailing from the penultimate crop of Street Cry (Ire), matched the price tag for lot 7 when hammering to fashion designer Wong Ling Ling. Hailing from the family of G1SW and G1 Golden Slipper runner-up Snitzerland (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), the bay was another of the half-dozen purchases by the HKJC at the 2015 Easter sale.
Added Kelly: “The Hong Kong International Sale has continued its growth as an elegant event for our Owners. This is a unique setting for a thoroughbred sale and the exciting journey of ownership begins anew tonight. Last year's International Sale produced a BMW Hong Kong Derby runner in Pakistan Star, who has already made a profit in a racing career spanning just nine months and represents the promise of any purchaser anywhere. That's what we want for our owners–to provide them with the chance to chase a dream. We look forward to what these horses will achieve in the future.”
Click for full sale results.
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