Cover image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
At A Glance
The Day 2 aggregate of Book 2 was NZ$3,884,00, which is a decrease from the NZ$4,479,500 transacted on the same day 12 months ago. There were 86 lots knocked down on Thursday, compared to 104 on the same day in 2023.
After sitting at 68.5 per cent for Day 1 of Book 2, the clearance rate dropped to 58.1 per cent for Day 2. On the same day last year, the clearance rate sat at 70 per cent, while in 2022 it was resting at 63 per cent.
The collective total across the first two days of selling in Book 2 is NZ$6,580,000, which is also down on the NZ$7,843,000 reached at this point in 2023. It is however comparable with 2022, which finished the opening two days of Book 2 at NZ$6,667,500.
At the conclusion of selling on Thursday, the average sat at NZ$42,793, which is almost identical to what was achieved on this day in 2023, when it sat at NZ$42,395.
It was Ballymore Stables, in conjunction with Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Catheryne Bruggeman who had the most expensive purchase of the day, a NZ$170,000 filly by Proisir.
Ten lots commanded prices of NZ$100,000 or more, compared to five on the corresponding day last year.
Strong top end on Day 2 of Book 2
Day 2 of selling at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale Book 2 session continued to churn out some strong results at the top end of the market, with a number of high-profile stables, both domestically and aboard, happy to part with large figures to secure what they hope to be their next stable star.
While Time Test (GB) and Sun City were amongst the top sires on the first day, Thursday saw some familiar faces return to the top end of the market, particularly Proisir, who entrenched himself firmly amongst the top stallions of the day, and indeed the book.
Proisir commands plenty of attention
Rich Hill Stud’s Proisir is always an attraction at sales in New Zealand, and he enjoyed a strong day at the pointy end of the market.
Training partners Roger James and Robert Wellwood went to NZ$150,000 to purchase his filly out of Sentito (NZ) (Postponed {USA}), while Ballymore Stables, Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Catheryne Bruggeman had to part with NZ$170,000, the highest price paid across the day, to secure his filly out of Polson (Northern Meteor {USA}).
Gallery: Top lots by Proisir who sold at the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale on Thursday, images courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
John Thompson, managing director of Rich Hill Stud, shared his thoughts on the results with The Thoroughbred Report on Thursday.
“A lot of the domestic trainers missed out on Proisirs in Book 1 because a lot of them went to Australia, so it (Book 2) just gave a couple of people an opportunity to buy them, and on this market they were very competitive.
“A lot of the domestic trainers missed out on Proisirs in Book 1 because a lot of them went to Australia, so it (Book 2) just gave a couple of people an opportunity to buy them, and on this market they were very competitive.” - John Thompson
“We saw in Book 1 where they went. The momentum started last year with Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace, last year they bought seven or eight.
“They were ahead of everyone else, it’s very exciting. Both trainers (James and Wellwood, and Moroney) have trained very good Proisirs, Prowess and others, so I guess they’re just returning to the well that’s provided great things for their clientele.”
With just one day of selling still to come, Thompson also shared some insight into his thoughts on how Book 2 has so far shaped, with a number of strong prices still filtering through at the top end of the market, contrasted with a not insignificant group of horses being passed in.
“I think what’s happened is, we had a number of parades for our Book 2 yearlings for Australian trainers while they were here, they’ve gone home but they’ve left buy orders (instructions to buy specific lots) for horses in Book 2.
“There’s a few going through the ring for not a lot of money, and then you’ll see them going for 200 (thousand) or 150 (thousand). Because those guys (Australian trainers) have left buy orders, if they miss out on one they’re not actually here to go and get another one.
“There’s a few going through the ring for not a lot of money, and then you’ll see them going for 200 (thousand) or 150 (thousand). Because those guys (Australian trainers) have left buy orders, if they miss out on one they’re not actually here to go and get another one.” - John Thompson
“So it’s good, but it’s also a bit of an up and down market.”
Six-figure sums forked out across the day
Amongst the entire day of selling, 10 lots managed to cross the six-figure threshold, with a range of local and overseas buyers happy to part with their money to get the lots they need.
Benner Racing had to part with NZ$165,000 to secure a colt by Ardrossan, who continued to feature prominently at the higher end of the market, while David Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) found a filly by Grunt (NZ) too hard to pass up on at a price of NZ$120,000.
Landsdowne Park, who sold the former, have enjoyed a solid week at Karaka, according to co-owner Dave Duley.
Lot 907 - Ardrossan x Pwerfect (colt) was purchased by Benner Racing for NZ$165,000 from Landsdowne Park | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“We’re really happy, we were lucky enough to get four Ardrossans this year, so to get 165 (thousand) for the full (brother) to Beau Dazzler is really good.
“He just looked like a Karaka Millions type, he’s looked like a 2-year-old type all the way (through) and Johnno (Benner) has bought a really nice horse here.
“He (Lot 907) just looked like a Karaka Millions type, he’s looked like a 2-year-old type all the way (through) and Johnno (Benner) has bought a really nice horse here.” - Dave Duley
“We’re very lucky that we’ve got a lot of small-to-medium breeders supporting us.
“Book 1 was really good for us (as well), we are at about 80 per cent clearance rate, which is really good for this sale, we had some lovely Satono Aladdins, they were very popular.”
Chan gets his man
Victorian-based trainer Smiley Chan was happy to spend on Thursday, going to NZ$110,000 to ensure he took home a colt by Wrote (Ire) out of the Snitzel mare O’Sabrina as Lot 876.
The purchase is an intriguing one with Wrote being a relative unknown on Australian shores, with just 10 foals to race for seven winners, including Wrote To Arataki (NZ), who contests the G3 Geoffrey Bellmaine S. at Caulfield on Saturday, a race she won some 12 months ago.
“Last year I went here to look at a few horses, and Wrote, most of his are very nice types. So I come here and I’m thinking (of) looking at a few more Wrotes,” Chan explained following his purchase.
Wrote (Ire) | Standing at Highview Stud
“Most of them walk very good, (they’re) very athletic, especially this one that I bought, (he) looks pretty athletic.
“In the future he will race under my stable name, or he may go to Hong Kong at some stage.”
“In the future he (Lot 876) will race under my stable name, or he may go to Hong Kong at some stage.” - Smiley Chan
Ballymore’s big day
The combination of Ballymore Stables, Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Catheryne Bruggeman were once again heavily active on Thursday, continuing to have their name scrawled on the buyers’ sheet across the day.
They walked away with six lots, including the aforementioned daughter of Proisir that went for a day-topping NZ$170,000, alongside a NZ$115,000 splurge on a colt by Yes Yes Yes out of the unraced Dawn Approach (Ire) mare Search Approach.
Lot 941 - Yes Yes Yes x Search Approach (colt) was purchased by Ballymore Stables, Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Catheryne Bruggeman for NZ$115,000 from Wentwood Grange | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
It wasn’t just the highest points of the market that their name was appearing, with the combination signing for a colt by Time Test (GB) for NZ$10,000 (Lot 902), as well as a filly by Group 1-performed sire Almanzor (Fr) for NZ$18,000 (Lot 887).
The sextet of purchases adds to an additional two bought on Wednesday, pushing the party right to the top of the leading buyers list.
Buyers from here, there and everywhere
With a number of yearlings selling for under NZ$20,000, there was ample opportunity for buyers to find horses to take home for (relatively) cheap prices that caught their eye during the parades.
While there was plenty of local buyers to keep some of the stock on the right-hand side of the Tasman, Australian buyers from across the country were happy to step in and be involved on Thursday.
South Australian-based trainer Richard Jolly, who now trains in partnership with his daughter Chantelle, was able to secure two lots, a filly by Ribchester (Ire) (Lot 860) and a colt by Vadamos (Fr) (Lot 962) for a combined total of NZ$105,000.
Gallery: Purchases by South Australian-based trainer Richard Jolly on Thursday at the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale, images courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Another buyer in South Australia, Michael Hickmott, in conjunction with bloodstock agent Andrew Campbell and stable client Tom Hepinstall, went all the way to NZ$110,000 to secure Lot 950, a colt by Shocking.
While Campbell was doing the bidding on the complex, Hickmott was watching from afar, and told The Thoroughbred Report his eagerness to see his new purchase roll into the stable.
“I always love getting these horses from New Zealand, they’re raised on such wonderful ground and country over there, notably he (Lot 950) is from Rich Hill Stud, one of the most famous studs in New Zealand.
“I always love getting these horses from New Zealand, they’re raised on such wonderful ground and country over there, notably he (Lot 950) is from Rich Hill Stud, one of the most famous studs in New Zealand.” - Michael Hickmott
“We’re very, very lucky to have Andrew Campbell on the ground, he’s one of my good friends, a client and also a bloodstock agent that we work with. He’s got such a great record of buying at that sale, and this is a horse that he identified as one that he really wanted to get into the system with myself and Tommy Hepinstall, who is a huge supporter of the stable.
Lot 950 - Shocking x Sheema (NZ) (colt) was purchased by Andrew Campbell Bloodstock, T Heptinstall and Michael Hickmott Bloodstock for NZ$$110,000 from Rich Hill Stud | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“We’ve never had a drama (with getting horses from New Zealand to Australia), the horses are reared well, they’re educated well. They come over here and we break them in (race educate) here in Australia and they’re basically half-done because they’ve had such good handling and education before they come here.
“It’s just such a stress-free process buying quality horses out of New Zealand.
“It’s just such a stress-free process buying quality horses out of New Zealand.” - Michael Hickmott
“We were underbidder on a couple of other horses that were over NZ$100,000, and I suppose that’s a testament to Andrew’s eye. He was outbid by John Foote and people like that, who are also great judges.
“I think regardless of what book they come out of, quality horses will show to be quality horses. It could be perceived as a little bit of money but I’m sure that on type he would’ve made a lot more in Book 1.”
“I think regardless of what book they come out of, quality horses will show to be quality horses. It could be perceived as a little bit of money (NZ$110,000) but I’m sure that on type he (Lot 950) would’ve made a lot more in Book 1.” - Michael Hickmott
Even further away, three horses were signed for by Western Australian buyers, with horses also destined for Queensland, Singapore and the Australian Capital Territory.
Five will make their way to Hong Kong, with progeny of El Roca, Redwood (GB) and Tarzino (NZ) set to find a new home in the Asian racing mecca.
Top Buyers
| Ballymore Stables / Paul Moroney Bloodstock / Catheryne Bruggeman | $461,000.00 | $76,833.33 | $170,000.00 | 6 |
| Paul Moroney Bloodstock / Catheryne Bruggeman / Sears Racing | $327,000.00 | $109,000.00 | $220,000.00 | 3 |
| Benner Racing Ltd | $295,000.00 | $147,500.00 | $165,000.00 | 2 |
| John Foote Bloodstock | $232,500.00 | $77,500.00 | $120,000.00 | 3 |
| Ms R Carter | $210,000.00 | $105,000.00 | $130,000.00 | 2 |
| Wexford Stables | $180,000.00 | $60,000.00 | $100,000.00 | 3 |
| Lilywhites Lodge Ltd | $155,000.00 | $155,000.00 | $155,000.00 | 1 |
| Mr RA James / Mr R Wellwood | $150,000.00 | $150,000.00 | $150,000.00 | 1 |
| Lisa Latta Racing Stables | $140,500.00 | $35,125.00 | $45,000.00 | 4 |
| Kasa Bloodstock Ltd | $140,000.00 | $140,000.00 | $140,000.00 | 1 |
Vendors by aggregate
| Westbury Stud | $657,500.00 | $73,055.56 | $130,000.00 | 9 |
| Landsdowne Park Ltd | $606,000.00 | $75,750.00 | $165,000.00 | 8 |
| Rich Hill Stud | $542,000.00 | $77,428.57 | $170,000.00 | 7 |
| Haunui Farm | $406,000.00 | $27,066.67 | $77,500.00 | 15 |
| HGT Bloodstock Ltd | $325,000.00 | $54,166.67 | $120,000.00 | 6 |
| Leanach Lodge Ltd | $311,000.00 | $51,833.33 | $220,000.00 | 6 |
| Mapperley Stud Ltd | $311,000.00 | $51,833.33 | $100,000.00 | 6 |
| Seaton Park Ltd | $286,500.00 | $31,833.33 | $140,000.00 | 9 |
| Woburn Farm | $269,000.00 | $33,625.00 | $85,000.00 | 8 |
| Wentwood Grange | $255,000.00 | $63,750.00 | $115,000.00 | 4 |
Vendors by average
| Rich Hill Stud | $542,000.00 | $77,428.57 | $170,000.00 | 7 |
| Landsdowne Park Ltd | $606,000.00 | $75,750.00 | $165,000.00 | 8 |
| Westbury Stud | $657,500.00 | $73,055.56 | $130,000.00 | 9 |
| Beckam Equine | $205,000.00 | $68,333.33 | $150,000.00 | 3 |
| Wentwood Grange | $255,000.00 | $63,750.00 | $115,000.00 | 4 |
| HGT Bloodstock Ltd | $325,000.00 | $54,166.67 | $120,000.00 | 6 |
| Platinum Bloodstock | $161,500.00 | $53,833.33 | $100,000.00 | 3 |
| Leanach Lodge Ltd | $311,000.00 | $51,833.33 | $220,000.00 | 6 |
| Mapperley Stud Ltd | $311,000.00 | $51,833.33 | $100,000.00 | 6 |
| Ralph Thoroughbreds | $215,000.00 | $43,000.00 | $80,000.00 | 5 |
Sires by aggregate
| Ardrossan | $503,500.00 | $100,700.00 | $165,000.00 | 5 |
| Contributer | $480,000.00 | $48,000.00 | $100,000.00 | 10 |
| Time Test | $415,000.00 | $46,111.11 | $220,000.00 | 9 |
| El Roca | $407,500.00 | $58,214.29 | $130,000.00 | 7 |
| Ace High | $385,000.00 | $64,166.67 | $140,000.00 | 6 |
| Proisir | $320,000.00 | $160,000.00 | $170,000.00 | 2 |
| Shocking | $302,000.00 | $60,400.00 | $110,000.00 | 5 |
| Redwood | $239,500.00 | $59,875.00 | $80,000.00 | 4 |
| U S Navy Flag | $225,000.00 | $56,250.00 | $77,500.00 | 4 |
| War Decree | $217,500.00 | $54,375.00 | $100,000.00 | 4 |
Sires by average
| Ardrossan | $503,500.00 | $100,700.00 | $165,000.00 | 5 |
| Ace High | $385,000.00 | $64,166.67 | $140,000.00 | 6 |
| Shocking | $302,000.00 | $60,400.00 | $110,000.00 | 5 |
| Redwood | $239,500.00 | $59,875.00 | $80,000.00 | 4 |
| El Roca | $407,500.00 | $58,214.29 | $130,000.00 | 7 |
| U S Navy Flag | $225,000.00 | $56,250.00 | $77,500.00 | 4 |
| War Decree | $217,500.00 | $54,375.00 | $100,000.00 | 4 |
| Contributer | $480,000.00 | $48,000.00 | $100,000.00 | 10 |
| Time Test | $415,000.00 | $46,111.11 | $220,000.00 | 9 |
| Hello Youmzain | $126,000.00 | $42,000.00 | $60,000.00 | 3 |