Cover image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
At A Glance
David Ellis purchased the top lot, an I Am Invincible colt for NZ$1.65 million, out of dual Group winner Shellilagh (NZ) (Savabeel).
I Am Invincible also sired the second top lot, purchased by YLP for NZ$675,000. He is out of Group 1 winner La Luna Rossa (Written Tycoon).
Nine lots made NZ$400,000 or more.
The aggregate for day one was NZ$18,437,000, up from 2023’s day one figure of NZ$16.2 million, with a 65 per cent clearance rate.
The median of NZ$100,000 represented an increase from the NZ$90,000 median recorded on day one in 2023.
The average of NZ$175,590 marked an increase from the 2023 average of NZ$157,345.
The clearance rate was marginally down at 65 per cent, compared to 68 per cent following day one in 2023.
I Am Invincible was the leading sire by aggregate and average with four sold for NZ$2.6 million with an average of NZ$650,000.
David Ellis topped the buyers charts on Day 1, spending NZ$2.39 million on five lots at an average of NZ$478,000.
Riversley Park was the leading vendor on day one, selling 17 lots for NZ$3.9 million.
Ellis smashes the record with NZ$1.65 million purchase
David Ellis has smashed the record for the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, purchasing Lot 174, an I Am Invincible colt from dual Group 1 winner Shillelagh (NZ) (Savabeel) for NZ$1.65 million. The previous highest price at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale was NZ$825,000 for Megastar Heart (Star Turn) who won a Listed race last season at two.
Lot 174 - I Am Invincible x Shillelagh (NZ) (colt) | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“I’ve been buying at this sale for a lifetime and that’s the most impressive colt I’ve seen at this sale. He’s just as nice a colt as you’d ever see. The staff have all seen him and are excited to have him in the stable. He’ll sell very quickly, the interest in him is already strong,” said Ellis. The colt was catalogued as a yearling by Segenhoe Stud but didn’t sell, being withdrawn from Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and passed at Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. He was offered in the Kiltannon Stables draft.
“He’ll go to Te Akau Stud tomorrow and we’ll give him a short spell, then we’ll race him. We trained Shillelagh at two and three, and then she went to Chris Waller. She’s an attractive looking Savabeel mare, and colt like this, well, if they race like they ought to, like they’ve shown so far, then they are worth serious money.
“I’ve been buying at this sale for a lifetime and that’s (Lot 174) the most impressive colt I’ve seen at this sale. He’s just as nice a colt as you’d ever see.” - David Ellis
“This is an exciting colt and I can’t wait to have him in the stable.” The colt breezed in an impressive 9.97s which was the fastest time recorded in the catalogue.
Shillelagh won her first three in succession at three and four, then moved to Australia as spring 5-year-old where she went on to win the G1 Cantala S. and G1 Empire Rose S. retiring with eight wins and over $1.8 million in prizemoney. Her first foal is Group 3-placed winner 4-year-old mare Irish Legacy (I Am Invincible) while her second foal, 3-year-old filly Kilkenny (I Am Invincible), debuted on Wednesday for Chris Waller.
Shillelagh is a full sister to Group 2 winner Tullamore (NZ) and Listed winner Grazia (NZ). On the first day, David Ellis purchased five lots for a total of NZ$2.39 million.
David Ellis | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
Yulong buys I Am Invincible colt for NZ$675,000
Early in the day, YLP splashed out NZ$675,000 for Lot 32, a colt by I Am Invincible from G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce S. winner La Luna Rossa (Written Tycoon). The colt, offered by KB Bloodstock, breezed up in 10.26s.
“It’s good to be back (in my home country) among all the vendors and seeing some nice horses, and to be able to get in early and buy a nice colt by an I Am Invincible is great,” said Sam Fairgray.
Lot 32 - I Am Invincible x La Luna Rossa (colt) | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“Vinnie is a champion stallion and (the colt) is out of a Group 1-winning 2-year-old. He’s from really nice pedigree. He’s a lovely colt. Several times he came out and put his head down and paraded well, so that’s what you like to see – great temperament.
“He’ll head back over to Australia and be trained by Chris Waller. I really liked his breeze – I thought he breezed up really nicely, had a really good action. We’ll take him home and be patient with him. He’s an exciting colt for us for the future.”
“Vinnie is a champion stallion and (the colt, Lot 32) is out of a Group 1-winning 2-year-old. He’ll head back over to Australia and be trained by Chris Waller.” - Sam Fairgray
Passed in as a yearling by Yarraman Park Stud, the colt is the third foal of his Group 1-winning dam, who has already produced the dual winner Armino (Fastnet Rock). La Luna Rossa is from the family of Group 1 winner Shooting To Win and his Group-winning successful sire and half-brother Deep Field.
When asked if it was rare for Yulong to purchase at this type of sale, Fairgray said, “Probably four or five years ago we bought a couple of lesser-lights, so it was good to front up and buy a nice horse here. We’ve been able to do that, and I think it’ll keep all the Kiwis happy.”
It’s been well-reported how well Yulong Farm is going at the moment and Fairgray spoke about it with NZB’s interviewing team. “We’ve had a fantastic run. The trainers have done a great job at placing our horses, and to be able to buy a couple of those fillies who are improving on the track. Via Sistina has gone to a new level. Kimochi last weekend, she hadn’t had a Group 1 win on her CV, and she was able to add that.
Sam Fairgay | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“And then also ones we’ve bred on the farm from our stallions who have gone on, such as Treasurethe Moment (by Alabama Express) winning the Oaks, and we had another filly (Within The Law) by Lucky Vega who won a stakes race at Flemington (R. Listed Inglis Banner) over the Carnival.
“So it has been a great thrill, and a lot has gone into it at the farm. It’s grown quickly, but we’ve got a great group of staff and we enjoy working well as a team. That’s what’s making it a great journey for us.”
Andrew Williams buys Proisir gelding for Hong Kong
Andrew Williams and Hong Kong Bloodstock purchased Lot 79, a gelding by New Zealand Champion Sire Proisir, for NZ$650,000. Consigned by Riversley Park, he breezed up in 10.31s.
Lot 79 - Proisir x Miss Vegas (NZ) (gelding) | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“He’s just a beautiful individual. He’s been one of the standouts from when we started inspecting on Sunday. He did everything well, and obviously Proisir is a very good sire. This horse has had a very special horse in the family, Winx. But he was an individual who really stood out on the sale ground,” said Williams.
“He breezed up phenomenally well by himself, ran a good time and vetted very clean, and it’s great to be able to buy a horse like this. Out of half-sister to Miss Bluebell, the dam of Gringotts. That’s the big result in the family, so there are good horses throughout the family.”
“He’s (Lot 32) just a beautiful individual. He’s been one of the standouts from when we started inspecting on Sunday.” - Andrew Williams
From the family of Winx (Street Cry {USA}) and recent stakes winner Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}), the gelding is the second foal of unraced mare Miss Vegas (NZ) (Carlton House {USA}) whose first foal is 3-year-old filly Vegas Queen (NZ) (Proisir) who was a winner at two last season and resumed this season with a fourth in the G3 Northland Breeders’ S.
“Physically he just stood out and it’s great to be able to land a horse like that. He’s going to go back to the paddocks of New Zealand here in Cambridge and grow out, have a bit of a break post-sale. We’ll put him into the system. He may end up running around in New Zealand or Australia. The ultimate destination is Hong Kong.”
Miss Vegas is a half-sister to the unraced dam of Gringotts, and both her and Miss Bluebell (NZ) (Savabeel) are out of Operavega (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}) who is a half-sister to juvenile stakes winner Vegas Showgirl (NZ) (Al Akbar), the dam of Winx.
Andrew Williams | Image courtesy of The Image is Everything
KM Yeung, owner of Galaxy Patch, spends up large for second year in a row
The owner of Galaxy Patch (Wandjina), Mr KM Yeung, spent up large on Day 1 buying eight horses for NZ$1.97 million, led by Lot 88, a Deep Field colt for NZ$425,000. The colt, offered by Riversley Park, breezed up in 10.5s. He has strong Hong Kong connections, being out of unraced mare My Goodness (Lonhro), a half-sister to dual Hong Kong Horse Of The Year Fairy King Prawn (Danehill {USA}) who won 12 races including travelling to Japan to win the G1 Yasuda Kinen. Yeung also purchased a Zousain gelding from Riversley Park for NZ$350,000. Lot 123 is out of unraced mare Pretty Fancy (Fastnet Rock) from the family of Northern Meteor and Smart Missile.
“He was one of our leading buyers here last year, and he had some immediate success so has come back. He loves this format and has been a strong presence again today,” said NZB’s Mike Kneebone.
Gallery: Some of Mr KM Yeung's NZB Ready to Run purchases on Day 1, images courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Yeung also purchased Lot 48, a colt by So You Think (NZ) for NZ$380,000, from the draft of Ohukia Lodge. This colt breezed in 10.58s and is out of unraced mare Lost Diamond (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). It’s a solid European family which also includes Japanese Group 1 winner and Yulong shuttle sire Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}).
Eyeoweyou (NZ), a Tagaloga colt was purchased by Yeung for NZ$350,000 from Riverrock Farm, and he is from the family of Group 1 winner Hasahalo (NZ) (Savabeel). Riverrock Farm bought him from Yulong at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for $120,000.
In 2023, KM Yeung purchased 12 horses at this sale and the group already includes Patch Of Cosmo (NZ) (Super Seth) who has won two of his six starts.
“Having a long-term relationship with the Hong Kong market is a team result. A lot of our staff go there during the year, whether it’s sales or racing or freight related. It’s not a new market and our results up there have been remarkable,” said Kneebone.
“Having a long-term relationship with the Hong Kong market is a team result. A lot of our staff go there during the year... our results up there have been remarkable.” - Mike Kneebone
“The catalogue is strong all the way through and hopefully tomorrow will be the same.”
Magus Equine purchase a sensational pair
Magus Equine, who is bloodstock agent Willie Leung, purchased two pricey lots on day one led by Lot 122, an Ole Kirk gelding for NZ$550,000. The other was Lot 34, a Churchill (Ire) gelding for NZ$375,000.
The Ole Kirk gelding, offered by Lyndhurst Farm, breezed up in 10.19s and was sold by Vinery Stud at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale to AGR Racing for $120,000. Since then, Ole Kirk’s first runners have come out flying with King Kirk winning the G3 Breeders’ Plate and O’Ole placing on debut in the G3 Gimcrack S.
“Ole Kirk is one of the most popular first-season sires and has already produced a winner. Lot 122 looks a precocious and athletic type which will suit Hong Kong, thus trainer Francis Lui and I tried hard to secure him. The horse will stay in New Zealand for further education until next winter then come to Hong Kong,” said Leung.
“Ole Kirk is one of the most popular first-season sires and has already produced a winner. Lot 122 looks a precocious and athletic type which will suit Hong Kong...” - Willie Leung
He is the second foal of Press Box (Hinchinbrook) who won four races, and she is a full sister to dual Group 1 winner and sire Press Statement and a half-sister to Group 1 winner Pressday (Domesday).
Lot 34, who breezed in 10.35 for vendor Leanach Lodge, is a gelding by Churchill (Ire) who has Group winner Encountered (Ire) currently racing in Hong Kong. The NZ$375,000 purchase is the fourth foal of unraced mare Latest Plan (USA) (Dubwai {Ire}) who has produced two winners. He was a NZ$30,000 yearling at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, with the same vendor, and purchased by Phil Cataldo Bloodstock (BAFNZ).
Latest Plan is a daughter of Listed winner Badminton (GB) (Zieten {USA}) who ran third in the G1 Cheveley Park S.
Lot 34 - Churchill (Ire) x Latest Plan (USA) (gelding) | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Top lots
| 174 | Colt | I Am Invincible | Shillelagh | Kiltannon Stables Ltd | Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) | 1,650,000 |
| 32 | Colt | I Am Invincible | La Luna Rossa | KB Bloodstock | YLP | 675,000 |
| 79 | Gelding | Proisir | Miss Vegas | Riversley Park Ltd | Andrew Williams Bloodstock / Hong Kong Bloodstock | 650,000 |
| 122 | Gelding | Ole Kirk | Press Box | Lyndhurst Farm | Magus Equine | 550,000 |
| 190 | Colt | Deep Field | Sorpesee | Ohukia Lodge | Douglas Whyte / Sam Wright / Bevan Smith Bloodstock | 550,000 |
| 83 | Colt | Xtravagant | Moshki | KB Bloodstock | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Racing / Blandford Bloodstock | 450,000 |
| 88 | Colt | Deep Field | My Goodness | Riversley Park Ltd | Mr KM Yeung | 425,000 |
| 145 | Colt | Ghaiyyath | Romantic Whisper | Phoenix Park | PR Thoroughbreds / Lindsay Park Racing | 425,000 |
| 186 | Gelding | Star Turn | Soiree | Riversley Park Ltd | Mr R Yiu | 400,000 |
| 48 | Colt | So You Think | Lost Diamond | Ohukia Lodge | Mr KM Yeung | 380,000 |
Top buyers
| Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) | 5 | $ 478,000 | $ 2,390,000 |
| Mr KM Yeung | 8 | $ 246,250 | $ 1,970,000 |
| Magus Equine | 2 | $ 462,500 | $ 925,000 |
| Mr R Yiu | 3 | $ 290,000 | $ 870,000 |
| Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Racing / Blandford Bloodstock | 2 | $ 385,000 | $ 770,000 |
| Mick Price Racing and Breeding | 3 | $ 231,667 | $ 695,000 |
| YLP | 1 | $ 675,000 | $ 675,000 |
| Andrew Williams Bloodstock / Hong Kong Bloodstock | 1 | $ 650,000 | $ 650,000 |
| Douglas Whyte / Sam Wright / Bevan Smith Bloodstock | 1 | $ 550,000 | $ 550,000 |
| Shailer Racing Pty Ltd/Hughes Bloodstock | 4 | $ 132,500 | $ 530,000 |
Sires by aggregate
| I Am Invincible | 4 | $ 650,000 | $ 2,600,000 |
| Proisir | 7 | $ 229,286 | $ 1,605,000 |
| Deep Field | 5 | $ 195,000 | $ 975,000 |
| Almanzor | 12 | $ 76,667 | $ 920,000 |
| Savabeel | 5 | $ 136,000 | $ 680,000 |
| Star Turn | 4 | $ 167,500 | $ 670,000 |
| Ghaiyyath | 2 | $ 292,500 | $ 585,000 |
| All Too Hard | 4 | $ 142,500 | $ 570,000 |
| Ole Kirk | 1 | $ 550,000 | $ 550,000 |
Sires by average
| I Am Invincible | 4 | $ 650,000 | $ 2,600,000 |
| Ole Kirk | 1 | $ 550,000 | $ 550,000 |
| Xtravagant | 1 | $ 450,000 | $ 450,000 |
| Churchill | 1 | $ 375,000 | $ 375,000 |
| Ghaiyyath | 2 | $ 292,500 | $ 585,000 |
| Toronado | 2 | $ 265,000 | $ 530,000 |
| Admire Mars | 1 | $ 260,000 | $ 260,000 |
| Proisir | 7 | $ 229,286 | $ 1,605,000 |
| Farnan | 2 | $ 225,000 | $ 450,000 |
Vendors by aggregate
| Riversley Park Ltd | 17 | 27 | $ 3,920,000 |
| Kiltannon Stables Ltd | 2 | 6 | $ 1,740,000 |
| KB Bloodstock | 6 | 8 | $ 1,725,000 |
| Ohukia Lodge | 7 | 15 | $ 1,710,000 |
| Kilgravin Lodge | 6 | 20 | $ 1,050,000 |
| Westbury Stud | 14 | 33 | $ 952,000 |
| BMD Bloodstock | 5 | 7 | $ 900,000 |
| Lilywhites Lodge | 6 | 9 | $ 855,000 |
| Regal Farm | 6 | 11 | $ 810,000 |
| Riverrock Farm | 4 | 8 | $ 785,000 |
Vendors by average
| Kiltannon Stables Ltd | 2 | 6 | $ 1,740,000 | $ 870,000 |
| Leanach Lodge Ltd | 2 | 5 | $ 650,000 | $ 325,000 |
| Lyndhurst Farm | 2 | 3 | $ 605,000 | $ 302,500 |
| KB Bloodstock | 6 | 8 | $ 1,725,000 | $ 287,500 |
| Ohukia Lodge | 7 | 15 | $ 1,710,000 | $ 244,286 |
| Phoenix Park | 2 | 5 | $ 485,000 | $ 242,500 |
| Riversley Park Ltd | 17 | 27 | $ 3,920,000 | $ 230,588 |
| Riverrock Farm | 4 | 8 | $ 785,000 | $ 196,250 |
| BMD Bloodstock | 5 | 7 | $ 900,000 | $ 180,000 |
| Kilgravin Lodge | 6 | 20 | $ 1,050,000 | $ 175,000 |
