After a solid finish at Book 1 of New Zealand Bloodstock’s 94th National Yearling Sales Series, the key critical indicators were up on last year’s Sale, which reflected a strong market.
The turnover reached $67,130,000, representing an average of $138,698 for 484 horses sold. The median closed at $107,500, with the clearance rate climbing to 79%.
The increased Australian spend was up by a total of $4.8 million on last year’s Sale.
NZB’s Managing Director Andrew Seabrook was pleased with the competition carried throughout Book 1.
“It was very encouraging to see the number of international and domestic buyers present over the past few days.
“The aggregate spend is on par with last year’s Sale, with 21 less horses catalogued.
“We had a strong middle market generated by the Australian’s. We put a lot of effort into getting them here, so it’s great to see the vendors rewarded so well,” said Seabrook.
King of the ring David Ellis landed the leading buyer title for the 15th consecutive year, spending a total of $6,500,000 for 28 horses purchased.
His top purchases include Lot 454, an $875,000 Savabeel colt out of Bayrock bought from the draft of Windsor Park Stud and an $800,000 colt, Lot 79 (Savabeel x Magic Dancer) secured from Waikato Stud. He also bought an I Am Invincible colt out of Sancerre for $675,000 from the draft of Trelawney Stud.
The Te Akau Racing Principal reflected on the success he had throughout Book 1 of Karaka 2020.
“There is a lot of quality here and we have had so much interest from our owners to buy them… that I just kept buying them.
“I think Book 1 has been very successful, there is no doubt about that. New Zealand Bloodstock can take a big bow.
“It’s an honour to be a part of a great company and the New Zealand industry,” said Ellis.
The second-highest leading buyer was Aussie raider Peter Moody, who spent a total of $2,145,000 after securing seven horses.
His highlights include a $500,000 Exceed and Excel colt and Lot 243 (Ocean Park x Ruud Van Staats), a filly which he secured for $450,000, both from Trelawney Stud.
Prominent New Zealand buyers were syndicators Go Racing syndicators who purchased 14 horses for $1,785,000 and Hiwi Lodge’s Garry Carvill who managed to secure the top Lot of the Sale, a $900,000 Pierro colt out of our Squeezer.
Waikato Stud have claimed another leading vendor title with 58 yearlings sold for a total $9,902,500 averaging $167,839. This is the seventh consecutive year that the Waikato nursery has topped the vendor table.
Other high achievers on Day Three of Book 1 included Cambridge Stud, who were the second leading vendor by aggregate with 50 Lots sold for a purse of $7,005,000 in receipts.
Leading vendor by average was Trelawney Stud for 11 Lots sold at $314,545, which included three Lots sold for over a margin of $500,000 or more.
Coolmore Australia's first season sire American Pharoah was the leading sire by average with $265,833 for six yearlings sold. The international sire also led the first season sire’s table.
Waikato Stud’s resident champion Savabeel provided two of the top three-priced lots offered and averaged $247,241 for 58 Lots sold with total aggregate of 14,340,000.
It was a successful Sale for New Zealand-based first season sires Vadamos and Tivaci, with Vadamos leading the New Zealand-based first season sire ranks. The Rich Hill-based stallion averaged $125,714 for 21 Lots sold, while Waikato Stud’s Tivaci averaged $124,821 for 28 Lots sold.
Book 1 fillies have been in demand with residual value found at Karaka, including Lot 379, (Savabeel x Valley Girl) and Lot 614 (Exceed and Excel x Gallwitz) who were both sold for $500,000. Overall there have been 25 fillies sell for $250,000 or more in Book 1.
The first day of Book 2 commences tomorrow with Lot 678 to 820 going under the hammer from 11am.
All horses purchased at Karaka this week are eligible for the lucrative Karaka Million Series with two $1 million races available for graduates as two and three-year-olds, plus the CollinsonForex Karaka Cup for the duration of their career. Nominations must be received by 5pm Tuesday 3 March 2020. -NZB
