International buyers proved crucial on a strong opening session of New Zealand Bloodstock's Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka on Monday with overseas investors contributing 69% of the total turnover of NZ$30.3m. 169 lots changed hands throughout the day giving a clearance rate of 76%, the same figure as the corresponding day in 2016. The average rose marginally to NZ$179,083 however the median dipped 10% from NZ$150,000 to NZ$135,000. The sale did not have to wait long for a top lot to emerge and it was lot 10, a colt by O'Reilly (NZ) who topped proceedings when selling for NZ$825,000. New Zealand Bloodstock managing director Andrew Seabrook was satisfied with the figures so far and commented,“It's been a good start to the Sale with the most thrilling aspect to me being the positive feedback from a highly regarded and astute buying bench.”
The aforementioned top lot caught the eye of many shrewd horsemen but it was China Horse Club's Michael Wallace who ultimately signed for Beltana Stud's offering and revealed the colt would race for a consortium including the China Horse Club, Newgate Farm and Alan Bell Racing. “We felt he was a rare type of colt that we haven't seen on offer here for a while. Alan [Bell] shared the same views so a partnership was formed to take a shot at him,” commented Wallace. “He's a colt of exceptional quality with great core strength and balance.” Bred by the Rutherford family's Beltana Stud out of Volkrose (NZ) (Volksraad {NZ}), the Sept. 1 born colt is a full brother to Group 1 winner Shamexpress (NZ) who also played a part by being the sale's leading first season sire. “He's been a lovely horse all the way through and we're thrilled that such a great group of people have bought him,” said Richard Rutherford, vendor of the top lot. The Rutherfords have endured a trying time with significant earthquake damage caused to their home and farm buildings and he added, “It's a 40 hour journey for us to get up here but he handled the whole ordeal brilliantly and we're grateful to everyone who has contributed to us achieving such a result. It was an all-round sensation and a huge relief after a difficult start to the year.”
A filly by the late High Chaparral (Ire) offered by Cambridge Stud as lot 130 came in second highest when selling to Tim Stakemire on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum for NZ$800,000. The filly's stakes-winning dam Diamond Like (Aus) (Danehill) is proving to be a brilliant producer of racehorses with all five of her runners winning, two at stakes level including this filly's group 2 winning full-sister Forever Loved (NZ). “We have been trying for 10 to 15 years to get into this family and they don't come on the market very often,” said Tim Stakemire. “It was well-documented that Sir Patrick [Hogan] was selling exclusively here and not holding anything back and we are happy to be supporting the sale. She's got a fantastic pedigree, a lovely body and is a real athlete.”
A major boost to the sale was the inclusion, for the first time on the buyer's sheet, of Godolphin and they made their presence felt securing lot 58, a filly by Savabeel (Aus) for NZ$750,000.
She was offered by Pencarrow Stud out of Champion New Zealand juvenile and Group 1 winner Banchee (NZ) (Oratorio {Ire}) whose progeny have yet to hit the track. John Ferguson revealed she will join Godolphin's Australian racing squad and also added, “She has an impeccable pedigree, is by a hot young sire in Savabeel, and our whole inspection team felt she was a quality individual who was beautifully prepared so we are delighted to secure her.” The result contributed to Pencarrow Stud's current standing as leading vendor by average at NZ$363,333 with three lots sold, while Curraghmore holds second spot with 11 sold for an average of NZ$281,364.
Adding to the international influence at the top of the market was BBA Ireland who purchased lot 173 for NZ$750,000. The colt by Fastnet Rock (Aus) offered by Curraghmore is out of Frustrating (Aus) (Stravinsky), a winning half-sister to Group 1 winners Terravista (Aus) (Captain Rio {GB}) and Tiger Tees (NZ) (Dubawi {Ire}). “I've bought him for a group of existing clients and he will head to Australia for his immediate future,” said BBA's Adrian Nicoll. “He is a very athletic type who looks like he'll be able to run so I'm pleased to be taking him home.”
Te Akau Racing supremo David Ellis certainly didn't let international buyers have it all their own way however and fresh off the back of Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands {Aus})'s Karaka Million success for his team and Fortuna Racing at Ellerslie on Sunday, Ellis secured 14 horses for a total of NZ$2.185m. “I think it's been a very successful day's selling and I take my hat off to the whole New Zealand Bloodstock team and the vendors,” said Ellis. “I'm proud to be part of it all and am looking forward to more activity on Tuesday” he added.
Last year's leading vendors Waikato Stud topped the vendor by aggregate table with 21 lots sold for NZ$4.16m followed closely by Cambridge Stud who have traded 15 individuals for NZ$3.78m. Selling continues Tuesday from 10am with lot 241 kicking off the day's proceedings and lot 465 the concluding Lot in the Premier Sale.
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