The New Zealand Bloodstock sales series continued its week-long run at Karaka Wednesday with the opening session of the three-day Select Sale. The spirited trading that was seen during the two-day Premier Sale continued Wednesday, with the aggregate for the first session surpassing half of what was achieved at the entire sale last year. A total of 154 horses were sold for NZ$10,034,700, compared to 135 sold at this point last year for NZ$7,022,500. The average was up 25% to NZ$65,160, while the median climbed 45.8% to NZ$52,500. The buyback rate was down slightly to 24.5%.
“All key figures are tracking ahead of last year's sale at the same point following the trend set by the Premier sale,” said NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook. “One of the most pleasing signs is how high the median is–that shows us that there is good competition not just at the top end but at all levels of the market. We are seeing great competition on horses by kiwi sires shown by the two top lots, which are heading offshore, being by local stallions.”
Australian spend has increased 66% this week at Karaka, and that theme continued Wednesday with Australian trainers buying the two top-priced lots. Victorian-based conditioner Ciaron Maher went to NZ$260,000 for the session-topping Tavistock (NZ) colt (lot 475)from Landsdowne Park. Tavistock reached international acclaim last year as the sire of G1 Victoria Derby winner Tarzino (NZ) and G1 Rosehill Guineas scorer Volkstok'n'barrel (NZ), and this one's dam, Princess (NZ) (Pupil {NZ}), is a half-sister to G1 Auckland Cup winner Upsetthym (NZ) (Rhythm {NZ}) and Group 2 winner Capecover (NZ) (Cape Cross {Ire}).
“I like Classic types and New Zealand has always been home to stayers, which I've come here to buy,” said Maher. “This colt is from a good New Zealand family and Tavistock is obviously doing the job. I like an athletic type of horse and he's a scopey, nice type that looks like he'll grow into a good horse.”
Tavistock also had colts sell for NZ$220,000 and NZ$200,000 during the session.
McEvoy Mitchell Racing later went to NZ$250,000 for a colt by promising young shuttler Showcasing (GB) (lot 617) from Valachi Downs. The bay's dam is a half-sister to the second dam of G1 Golden Slipper winner Mossfun (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}). Showcasing shuttles to New Zealand's Haunui Farm and stood last year for NZ$10,000. He is the sire of three stakes winners in Australasia including Raghu (NZ), who took last weekend's Listed Karaka 3YO Mile. Showcasing was the leading sire by average of the session with three of more sold. He had three sell for an average of NZ$146,667.
Australians have spent NZ$3,86,700 on 44 horses so far this week, but the leading nation remains New Zealand, which has bought 87 for NZ$4,595,500. The most expensive outlay for a single horse from a New Zealander Wednesday came from Glen Harvey Bloodstock, which spent NZ$220,000 on a colt from the last crop of Commands (Aus). NZB as agent was the leading buyers by aggregate Wednesday with 20 purchased for NZ$1,197,000, while Wexford Stables and Paul Moroney Bloodstock followed with NZ$360,000 and NZ$335,000 spent respectively.
“It has been heartening to see so many international buyers staying on at Karaka following the Premier sale,” said Seabrook. “The recent success of horses like Mongolian Khan and Tarzino, who are graduates of the Select sale, has enhanced the sale's reputation and overseas buyers have recognized there is plenty of quality to be found.”
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