The first session of the two-day New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale of 2-Year-Olds closed with encouraging gains across most categories at Karaka Wednesday, including a new record price of NZ$650,000 for Lot 280, a colt by Sebring (Aus). A total of 144 horses sold out of 280 catalogued, grossing NZ$14,610,500, with a clearance rate of 56.69%. The average increased by 11.45% to NZ$101,462, while the median rose by 7.69% to NZ$70,000.
The very last lot through the ring Wednesday, Lot 280 by G1 Golden Slipper hero Sebring (Aus) and consigned by Lyndhurst Farm, was knocked down to Toby Koenig, bidding for Ultra Thoroughbreds. He is a half-brother to three listed winners and his dam Joleur (Aus) (Bite
the Bullet) is a full-sister Group 3 winner Mica's Pride (Aus) (Bite the Bullet), herself the dam of MG1SW Criterion (NZ) (Sebring {Aus}).
“We knew we would need to dig into our pockets, and the competition was strong with three bidders who made us work for it, but he's a stunning animal and the best in the sale for us,” said Koenig. “We are very, very happy with this result. We came here to buy three to five horses and have come away with three today, so it has been a good day for us.”
The day's second highest price belonged to Lot 263, which briefly held the record-priced moniker before being displaced by Lot 280. The Waikato Stud Ltd.-consigned colt by the late O'Reilly (NZ) was secured for NZ$580,000 by a partnership between Ciaron Maher Bloodstock, Bruce Perry Bloodstock and Waterford Bloodstock. Out of the Savabeel (Aus) mare Honolulu (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}), herself a half-sister to New Zealand champion and MG1SW Alamosa (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}), the brown colt also counts G1 ARC Diamond S. hero Dal Cielo (NZ) (Per Incanto) in his extended family.
“Last year I made my first two purchases at this sale and they are both going to be nice horses, so that's why we've come back,” said trainer Ciaron Maher. “This is the horse that I came for, he's a lovely moving horse and he's got a big page. I also place a lot of emphasis on temperament and he's got a great temperament.”
David Ellis of Te Akau Racing led the buyers table, acquiring six head for NZ$1,095,000, with the Prima Park-consigned Lot 41, a bay colt by Savabeel (Aus) the most expensive at NZ$280,000.
Mark and Shelley Treweek's Lyndhurst Farm topped the vendor list by aggregate and average (three or more sold), with 11 2-year-olds grossing NZ$2,591,000, and averaging NZ$235,545, including the record-setting Lot 280. They also sold another son of Sebring, Lot 148 out of Group 3 victress Crafty Irna (Aus) (Starcraft {NZ}) for NZ$400,000 to Gary Chan of Hong Kong.
Leading the way among first-season sires was two-time Singapore Horse of the Year Super Easy (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), who averaged NZ$145,000 for three juveniles, topped by Lot 241, a colt consigned by Kiltannon Stables, Ltd., who is also bound for Hong Kong after bringing NZ$200,000 from Mr. J. Fung.
New Zealand Bloodstock's Managing Director Andrew Seabrook commented, “It's encouraging that the average and median have increased significantly as it was always going to be challenging offering 150 horses more than last year's record-breaking sale. The clearance rate is disappointing and that is something we will be working hard to increase over the coming day. Traditionally at this sale we have seen the second day increase in strength and we hope to see that trend continue tomorrow.”
For complete results, click www.nzb.co.nz. The second and final session of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale will commence at 10 a.m. local time at Karaka Thursday.
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