Photo: New Zealand Bloodstock
Emerging sire Mr Mozart made an encouraging start to his commercial career at last week’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling Sale, with his first crop attracting strong interest from buyers.
Demand was evident across the board at Karaka, with New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale posting increases in all key metrics. A total of 102 weanlings sold for an aggregate of $3.593 million, up 49 percent on last year, while the average rose 23 percent to $35,255 and the clearance rate reached 89 percent.
Within that strong market, Highview Stud’s Group-performed son of Snitzel was represented by six weanlings, all of which sold at an average of $24,000.
An early highlight came when a filly out of the O’Reilly mare O’Pristine, offered by Haunui Farm, sold for $40,000 to Queensland’s Mishani Enterprises.
Haunui Farm Managing Director Mark Chitty said the quality and consistency of Mr Mozart’s offspring had impressed from the outset.
“We’ve been a bit of a fan of him since he went to stud, and probably more of a fan since his foals have landed on the ground,” Chitty said.
“We’ve had a good number of colts and fillies born, he’s given us a good, consistent type. They’ve been correct horses that have grown out well, and the couple of fillies and colts that we took through to the weanling sale sold accordingly.
“I think he suits a large number of broodmares here in New Zealand. He had a good race record, he’s obviously by Snitzel, who’s certainly one of the pre-eminent sires of sires, and from a really good family that Windsor Park has a lot to do with, that have sold well in the sales ring and performed at the highest level on the racetrack.
“For a horse that stands at $6,000, I just found him to be extremely good value for people.”
Chitty said the strength of this year’s National Weanling Sale was another positive for breeders and provided an ideal platform for young stallions to gain commercial momentum.
“If you’re wanting new investment in the industry, and at a commercial level, you want real viable options as to when you might be able to realise the product.
“It’s a great medium to promote new stallions, such as a horse like Mr Mozart.
“It also gives people a cash flow opportunity earlier, rather than taking on the costs of going to a yearling sale. I think to help grow the industry, a very viable on-site weanling sale, as we had, is very encouraging.”
Highview Stud principal Brent Gillovic was equally pleased with the reception Mr Mozart’s first crop received. Having covered 91 mares in his first season at stud and a further 82 in his second, the young sire has enjoyed solid support from breeders, and Gillovic believes the positive response at Karaka has further enhanced his prospects.
“I think it was probably the best weanling sale in New Zealand in many years. It was fantastic and the clearance rate on the day was outstanding. It was fantastic news for the industry,” Gillovic said.
“I didn’t have a chance to get around and see his stock prior to sale day, but when they presented in the ring I was very pleased with what I saw.
“I was particularly taken with Lot 5. She was a beautiful filly and was keenly sought after, which really set the scene for the others.
“He does leave a good type and we’re certainly really happy with the ones at home. We will probably take 12 to 15 to the yearling sales in January.”
Gillovic said Mr Mozart had made an excellent impression during his first two seasons at stud, not only through the quality of his stock but also their outstanding temperaments.
“The foal crop’s diminishing and a lot of smaller breeders have left the industry, which is sad. But a horse like this at $6,000 gives people a chance to breed a good horse. He’s underpriced by far.
“He’s got Australian Group form. Had he not been owned by James Chapman (of Jamieson Park), who was determined to stand him at stud in New Zealand and wasn’t interested in selling him, ordinarily that horse would have been lost to a stud in Australia for sure.
“We were delighted when we were approached to stand him. We took an ownership share in him and I’m very happy with how it’s all worked out.”
