Cover image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
At A Glance
The aggregate after two days is NZ$58,903,500, which is far superior to the same time last year (NZ$46,425,000) and 2022 (NZ$$41,142,500).
The average dipped from NZ$195,704 on Day 1, but finished up at a healthy NZ$176,893, which is greater than 2023 (NZ$154,236) and 2022 (NZ$146,415).
The median also dipped from Sunday, going from NZ$150,000 to NZ$140,000. This year’s Day 2 figure is up on last year (NZ$135,000) and 2022 (NZ$100,000).
So far, 430 lots have been offered, with 331 selling at a clearance rate of 77 per cent. That is marginally up on 2023 (76 per cent) and 2022 (74 per cent).
The top-seller on Day 2 was Lot 360 - a Snitzel colt from the Ocean Park mare Rondinella. Offered by Haunui Farm, he was secured by David Ellis for NZ$825,000. Haunui also had the most expensive filly, with Lot 442 making NZ$650,000. She was bought by Sheamus Mills of Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA).
Leading the way in terms of vendors by aggregate is Waikato Stud, who have sold 39 yearlings for a combined NZ$6,645,000.
Hallmark Stud is currently sitting atop the vendor table by average, with six yearlings sold at an average price of NZ$406,700.
Savabeel is the leading sire by aggregate, with 32 lots sold for a total of NZ$8,615,000.
Snitzel heads the sires’ list by average. He has had three yearlings average NZ$475,000.
As has become customary at Book 1 of Karaka, Te Akau’s David Ellis had spent the most, having bought 23 yearlings, including two with Fortuna Racing and one with TAB Racing Club.
#1. A red-letter day for Haunui Farm
Day 2 of the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale will long live in the memory of Mark Chitty and his team at Haunui Farm, after the Karaka-based stud consigned both the top-selling colt and filly.
A jubilant Chitty told The Thoroughbred Report the results are hugely satisfying.
“It was a good day at the office, and not bad for a country boy!” he enthused.
“It all started in the winter of 2021 when people make the decisions to mate the mares to the stallions.
Mark Chitty | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
“It’s great for the team. I said to them before the sale, ‘Listen, the market is the market, it doesn’t take away from your time and effort. There will always be disappointments and surprises’. Today was one of those very thrilling days.”
Lot 360 - a colt by Snitzel from the classy Ocean Park (NZ) mare Rondinella (NZ) - a four-time winner and Group 1 placegetter - fetched NZ$825,000. He was bought by David Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ).
The colt is closely related to the stakes winners Catalonia (NZ) (Commands), Celebrity Dream (NZ) (Thorn Park) and Vavasour (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice). His grandam is the Group 3 victress Valpolicella (NZ) (Red Ransom {USA}).
“He is from a family that extends back to a mare that my grandfather bought in the early '50s,” Chitty said.
“He’s by a champion sire, it’s the dam’s first foal.
“Rondinella was very good to us on the track and she has rewarded us with a stunning colt.
“Rondinella was very good to us on the track and she has rewarded us with a stunning colt (Lot 360).” - Mark Chitty
“For him to go to Te Akau, great supporters of the farm and of the industry, we’re absolutely delighted.”
Later in the day, the Haunui Farm-consigned Lot 442 realised NZ$650,000. The Savabeel filly, who was bought by Sheamus Mills of Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA), is out of Stolen Gem (NZ) (Snitzel), who was a winner at two and has thrown the stakes performer To Catch A Thief (U S Navy Flag {USA}).
“She is a filly that just kept getting better every month,” Chitty commented.
“She (Lot 442) is a filly that just kept getting better every month.” - Mark Chitty
“She was bought by a super judge in Sheamus Mills and there was some other good judges on her.
“Savabeel is such a champion sire.”
#2. Hello Youmzain makes strong early impression
Cambridge Stud shuttle stallion Hello Youmzain (Fr) is one of 21 first-crop sires with progeny at the sale, and the dual Group 1 hero’s yearlings are proving popular.
On Day 1, Hello Youmzain had 10 yearlings gross NZ$1.65 million at an average of NZ$165,000.
Then, on Monday, 13 yearlings by Hello Youmzain grossed NZ$2,395,000 at an average of NZ$184,231.
Hello Youmzain (Fr) | Standing at Cambridge Stud
The stallion’s top-seller on Day 2 was Lot 438 - a colt consigned by Cambridge Stud. He is from the winning Pivotal (GB) mare Steer By The Stars (Ire) and was bought by Chris Waller / Mulcaster Bloodstock for NZ$425,000.
Marc Devcich, general manager at Cambridge Stud, told The Thoroughbred Report Hello Youmzain’s results have been very pleasing.
“We’re delighted with the way his progeny have sold. There’s been a great following for him at the sale here,” Devcich said.
“They’re such mature horses, they’ve got great muscle and they really look good in the ring.
“We’re rapt with the way things are going for him.
“Some of the greatest judges in the industry are buying them, so that tells you what they think of him.”
“Some of the greatest judges in the industry are buying them, so that tells you what they think of him (Hello Youmzain).” - Marc Devcich
Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis is a big fan of Hello Youmzain. He has bought two fillies by the son of Kodiac (GB) with the possibility of more to come.
Ellis paid NZ$240,000 for Lot 47 - a filly offered by Haunui Farm from Equestrienne (NZ) (Lonhro), before going to NZ$300,000 for Lot 87 - a filly consigned by Pencarrow Stud out of the three-time winner Flourishing (NZ) (Makfi {GB}).
“He’s a hell of a chance at stud, he’s leaving some real athletes, and he stands at a stud that really knows how to look after their stallions; they send the right mares to the right stallion and they promote them really well,” Ellis said.
“I’m predicting Hello Youmzain will be a very good stallion in New Zealand.”
“I’m predicting Hello Youmzain will be a very good stallion in New Zealand.” - David Ellis
Hello Youmzain had three yearlings sell for an aggregate of $585,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale earlier this month at an average of $195,000.
#3. Metrics drop, but results still excellent
After bursting out of the gates on Day 1, the market slowed somewhat on Monday, however, the overall numbers remain extremely good.
The gross sits at NZ$58,903,500, which is more than NZ$12 million up on last year.
The average, clearance rate and median are all superior to this time 12 months ago.
Andrew Seabrook
New Zealand Bloodstock Managing Director Andrew Seabrook was pleased with the results on Day 2.
“It was a strong, solid day of trade and the New Zealand pinhookers came out to play,” he said.
“It was great to see so many markets active, but the key buyers today (Monday) were the Hong Kong Jockey Club.”
“It was great to see so many markets active, but the key buyers today (Monday) were the Hong Kong Jockey Club.” - Andrew Seabrook
#4. ‘Jimmy Hendrix’s brother couldn’t play the guitar’
It was hardly a surprise to see Go Racing co-sign as the buyer for Lot 295 - the Dundeel (NZ) half-sister to Saturday’s R. Listed Karaka Millions 2YO victress Velocious (Written Tycoon), although, as Albert Bosma, racing manager for the prominent syndication company, quipped, Jimmy Hendrix’s brother couldn’t play the guitar.
Lot 295 - Dundeel (NZ) x Parmalove (filly) | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Bosma meant that Go Racing doesn’t buy siblings of horses they have had success with, just because they are a relative.
“We’re really happy to get her. We don’t buy horses simply because they’re related to good ones we have. The saying is, ‘Jimmy Hendrix’s brother couldn’t play the guitar’,” Bosma said.
“It wasn’t an emotional buy, she was on our shortlist.”
“It wasn’t an emotional buy, she (Lot 295) was on our shortlist.” - Albert Bosma
The filly, who was offered by Inglewood Stud, fetched $300,000, and Go Racing bought her alongside Blandford Bloodstock.
Lot 295 is the fourth foal of the winning Snitzel mare Parmalove and she herself is a half-sister to the stakes winners Liesele (Exceed And Excel) and Loved Up (Nicconi).
Bosma believes the filly will go early.
Sean O'Conner, Pat Vinaccia, Albert Bosma and Matt Allnutt | Image courtesy of Race Images, Peter Rubery
“She’s a lovely filly, she’s a great-moving filly, was great on the x-rays, Dundeel’s doing an amazing job, particularly with his 2-year-olds, and she looks like she may well make a 2-year-old,” Bosma remarked.
Bosma said the filly has some similarities with her high-profile half-sister.
“The two stallions (Written Tycoon and Dundeel) have stamped both fillies; Velocious looks like a Written Tycoon filly, and this filly looks like a Dundeel,” he said.
“The two stallions (Written Tycoon and Dundeel) have stamped both fillies; Velocious looks like a Written Tycoon filly, and this filly (Lot 295) looks like a Dundeel.” - Albert Bosma
“What they both share is a great walk, a good depth of girth, and really the way they move and use themselves is the same.”
Bosma revealed the filly will stay in New Zealand and be trained by the same conditioner as Velocious, Stephen Marsh.
Velocious was consigned by Inglewood Stud at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1). Go Racing bought her for NZ$190,000.
#5. Hong Kong-based buyers make presence felt
After Hong Kong shoppers spent NZ$3,655,000 on 14 yearlings at an average of NZ$261,100 on Day 1, they upped the ante on Monday, buying 17 horses for a total spend of NZ$3,915,000 at an average of NZ$230,300 on Monday.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), via Craig Rounsefell of Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA), signed for seven yearlings on Day 2, spending NZ$2,050,000 at an average of NZ$292,900.
“I’m buying at all levels for the Jockey Club. We’re just looking at types that are going to suit our program, that are going to get better with age,” Rounsefell explained.
“I’m buying at all levels for the (Hong Kong) Jockey Club. We’re just looking at types that are going to suit our program, that are going to get better with age.” - Craig Rounsefell
“A lot of buyers in the market at the moment want horses that are going to go earlier. We’re looking for a different style of horse, a horse that’s going to be durable, sound and like the conditions in Hong Kong.”
The HKJC’s most expensive purchase on Monday was Lot 409 - a Savabeel colt offered by Waikato Stud, which realised NZ$620,000. They also bought yearlings by Per Incanto (USA), Proisir, Wootton Bassett (GB) and Capitalist.
Craig Rounsefell | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
Other Hong Kong-based buyers to be active on Day 2 were Jamie Richards/Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA), Ricky Yiu, John Foote of John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA), Tartan Meadow Bloodstock, Upper Bloodstock, Enigma Farm and Karson Choi.
#6. Another pinhook success for Riversley Park
Riversley Park’s Sam Beatson has developed a reputation as one of the best pinhookers in the business, and on Monday, the New Zealand horseman turned another significant profit.
At the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling and Broodmare Sale, Riversley Park paid Brighthill Farm NZ$150,000 for Lot 144 - a Per Incanto colt from She’s Apples (Ire) (Redoute’s Choice).
That investment proved genius, with Riversley Park selling the colt as Lot 397 to Jamie Richards and Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) for NZ$500,000 to the bid on Day 2 of the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
Gallery: Lot 397 - Per Incanto (USA) x She's Apples (Ire) (colt), images courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
At last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, Lot 289 - a gelding by All Too Hard - made NZ$800,000, with Yeung Kin Man buying him from the Riversley Park consignment. The gelding was a pinhook for Riversley Park and Michael Guerin, who bought him from the Baramul Stud draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $100,000.
The great Golden Sixty (Medaglia D’oro {USA}) was bought by Riversley Park/Enigma Farm for $120,000 from the Element Hill draft at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He was later sold by Riversley Park to Ricky Yiu for NZ$300,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale.
Top buyers
| Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) | $4,725,000 | $236,250 | $825,000 | 20 |
| Chris Waller / Mulcaster Bloodstock | $3,950,000 | $359,090 | $900,000 | 11 |
| The Hong Kong Jockey Club | $2,700,000 | $337,500 | $650,000 | 8 |
| Moody Racing | $2,180,000 | $726,666 | $1,600,000 | 3 |
| Jamie Richards / Andrew Williams Bloodstock | $1,870,000 | $374,000 | $725,000 | 5 |
| Wexford Stables | $1,520,000 | $217,142 | $280,000 | 7 |
| KPW Bloodstock | $1,400,000 | $200,000 | $360,000 | 7 |
| Bruce Perry Bloodstock (BAFNZ) | $1,300,000 | $433,333 | $620,000 | 3 |
| Go Racing Ltd / Blandford Bloodstock | $1,235,000 | $154,375 | $300,000 | 8 |
| Stephen Marsh Racing / Dylan Johnson Bloodstock | $1,175,000 | $235,000 | $425,000 | 5 |
Vendors by aggregate
| Waikato Stud Ltd | $6,645,000 | $154,534 | $620,000 | 39 |
| Haunui Farm | $4,040,000 | $237,647 | $825,000 | 17 |
| Rich Hill Stud | $3,885,000 | $215,833 | $900,000 | 18 |
| Pencarrow Stud | $3,515,000 | $251,071 | $700,000 | 14 |
| Elsdon Park | $3,155,000 | $315,500 | $725,000 | 10 |
| Cambridge Stud | $2,980,000 | $165,555 | $425,000 | 18 |
| Riversley Park Ltd | $2,785,000 | $232,083 | $500,000 | 9 |
| Windsor Park Stud | $2,765,000 | $131,666 | $300,000 | 18 |
| Hallmark Stud | $2,440,000 | $406,666 | $1,600,000 | 6 |
| Trelawney Stud Ltd | $2,370,000 | $182,307 | $400,000 | 13 |
Vendors by average
| Hallmark Stud | $2,440,000 | $406,666 | $1,600,000 | 6 |
| Elsdon Park | $3,155,000 | $315,500 | $725,000 | 10 |
| Highline Thoroughbreds | $860,000 | $286,666 | $510,000 | 3 |
| Kilgravin Lodge | $1,615,000 | $269,166 | $600,000 | 6 |
| Pencarrow Stud | $3,515,000 | $251,071 | $700,000 | 14 |
| Jamieson Park | $1,505,000 | $250,833 | $620,000 | 6 |
| Haunui Farm | $4,040,000 | $237,647 | $825,000 | 17 |
| Riversley Park Ltd | $2,785,000 | $232,083 | $500,000 | 9 |
| Kaha Nui Farm | $660,000 | $220,000 | $400,000 | 3 |
| Rich Hill Stud | $3,885,000 | $215,833 | $900,000 | 18 |
Sires by aggregate
| Savabeel | $8,615,000.00 | $269,218.75 | $650,000.00 | 32 |
| Proisir | $5,925,000.00 | $296,250.00 | $1,600,000.00 | 20 |
| Hello Youmzain | $4,045,000.00 | $175,869.57 | $425,000.00 | 23 |
| Per Incanto | $3,995,000.00 | $190,238.10 | $500,000.00 | 21 |
| Super Seth | $2,910,000.00 | $153,157.89 | $700,000.00 | 19 |
| Ocean Park | $2,870,000.00 | $130,454.55 | $300,000.00 | 22 |
| Almanzor | $2,675,000.00 | $121,590.91 | $260,000.00 | 22 |
| Satono Aladdin | $2,505,000.00 | $227,727.27 | $900,000.00 | 11 |
| Circus Maximus | $1,798,000.00 | $94,631.58 | $200,000.00 | 19 |
| Snitzel | $1,425,000.00 | $475,000.00 | $825,000.00 | 3 |
Sires by average
| Snitzel | $1,425,000 | $475,000 | $825,000 | 3 |
| Proisir | $5,925,000 | $296,250 | $1,600,000 | 20 |
| Wootton Bassett | $1,400,000 | $280,000 | $500,000 | 5 |
| So You Think | $1,085,000 | $271,250 | $400,000 | 4 |
| Savabeel | $8,615,000 | $269,218 | $650,000 | 32 |
| Satono Aladdin | $2,505,000 | $227,727 | $900,000 | 11 |
| Ace High | $610,000 | $203,333 | $280,000 | 3 |
| Per Incanto | $3,995,000 | $190,238 | $500,000 | 21 |
| Ardrossan | $900,000 | $180,000 | $390,000 | 5 |
| Pierro | $530,000 | $176,666 | $240,000 | 3 |
