There were shrieks of delight, gasps of disbelief and tears of joy from some of the staff at Haunui Farm as Lot 854 a colt by Showcasing (GB) from Party Lights went through the ring late on the first session of Book Two at the NZB sale at Karaka.
The reason being that eleven full time staff members who have been employees of the stud for the last 18 months or so were the shareholders in the well sought after colt, who was knocked down to Liam Birchley for $160,000.
The staff members ranging from the gardener, office staff, stud staff and Renee Taite who led the horse through the ring are all set to receive in excess of $11,000 following costs and commissions.
“It’s amazing,” said Julia Cottle who fronts the office at Hanui Farm, “we are just so delighted.”
“Everyone is really excited, when we all made the decision to get involved way back then we never believed it would end like this. There has been a lot of tears, and now we are all planning holidays, and various ways to celebrate.”
Haunui Farm boss Mark Chitty, by way of a bonus offered his permanent staff who had been with him for a year at the time, a share in a forthcoming foal to take through to the yearling sales. The staff had four prospective foals to choose from and after the mares were sex tested they chose the colt foal from the Elusive City (USA) mare Party Lights, a full sister to the dual Group three winner Shezhardtocatch, a daughter of the Group three winner Party Queen.
Over the last 18 months the staff at Haunui Farm have watched with interest the progress of this Showcasing colt. Now he has graduated to the sales and following expenses each staff member still involved in the partnership, will receive around $11,500 each.
"The staff do a lot of work and we have had a tough sale with only just over 50 percent clearance through the ring during Book One,” said Chitty.
"It is a bit demoralising as it's not about their effort, as their effort has been fantastic, so this is a dream for them." - Michelle Saba
