At A Glance
>> Cambridge agent goes to NZ$900,000 to land the day’s top lot, a colt by Pierro from Westbury Stud’s draft for an undisclosed buyer.
>> Te Akau supremo David Ellis has purchased three Group 1 winners by Savabeel and has high hopes again for his NZ$800,000 purchase by the Waikato Stud stallion.
>> The opening day average was NZ$145,381, a 10 per cent increase on 2019, the median was up six per cent to NZ$110,000 with 145 lots sold during the session for NZ$21,112,500 and a clearance rate of 72 per cent.
>> American Pharoah (USA) has made a strong start in the Northern Hemisphere and agent Guy Mulcaster paid NZ$575,000 for a son of the first season sire.
>> Ciaron Maher’s Bloodstock Manager Will Bourne kept his job safe by following orders with the NZ$500,000 purchase of a colt by the Group 1 producer Showcasing (GB).
Successful cross
Presented as Lot 155 by Westbury Stud, the sale-topping Pierro colt is out of a Redoute’s Choice mare and that cross piqued the interest of Carvell, who operates under his Hiwi Lodge banner, on behalf of an undisclosed client.
He first inspected the youngster from the Gerry Harvey-owned nursery last week and with the looks to match his pedigree, Carvell formed a plan that he executed on Sunday at the expense of several other keenly interested parties.
“He’s by a sire who’s booming and the cross with Redoute’s Choice mares produces plenty of winners and stakes winners,” he said.
Lot 155 - Pierro x Our Squeezer (colt)
“He’s a lovely horse and they aren’t easy to find. When you go through the sales in Australia there were only two or three colts out of Redoute’s Choice mares. I thought he might go to NZ$800,000 or more.”
“He’s by a sire who’s booming and the cross with Redoute’s Choice mares produces plenty of winners and stakes winners.” – Garry Carvell
The Pierro-Redoute’s Choice cross has been responsible for eight stakes winners, including the G1 ATC Derby winner Levendi, the G1 Kingston Town Classic winner Arcadia Queen and the G1 Railway S. winner Regal Power.
It also courses through the veins of the G2 Auckland Guineas winner Dragon Leap, who is at the top of the pre-post market for the G1 New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie.
Carvell said they would be in no rush with the colt, whose dam Our Squeezer was a two-time winner.
“We’ll take our time with him and get him broken in and go from there. He’ll be telling us how good he is and where he goes.”
A half-brother to the multiple winner and black type performer Tamarack (NZ) (Redwood {GB}), the colt’s mother is a half-sister to the former New Zealand Horse of the Year Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi {GB}), who won three Group 1 races.
Strong trade
New Zealand Bloodstock Sales Manager Danny Rolston was more than satisfied with the opening session of Book 1.
“The atmosphere has been great and the sale is going really well,” he said. “I’m just thrilled there has been so much New Zealand activity with Go Racing who were strong, obviously Te Akau, and Roger James, Grahame Richardson and Graeme Rogerson and others.
Danny Rolston
“There’s plenty to come and some have still got their powder dry.”
Te Akau’s David Ellis topped the individual spend with 11 horses bought for a total of NZ$2,660,000 with champion trainer Chris Waller and Guy Mulcaster second leading buyers with five yearlings secured for NZ$1,375,000.
Major Savabeel fan
David Ellis is sold on the progeny of Savabeel and he added another high end colt to his collection during the sale when the Te Akau chief was dogged in his pursuit of Lot 79 and signed the ticket at NZ$800,000.
Ellis entered into a bidding battle with Hawkes Racing for the Waikato Stud youngster and won out in the end to secure the youngster, who is a son of the G3 Taranaki 2YO Classic winner Magic Dancer (NZ), a daughter of stakes winner Dazzling Belle (NZ) (Desert Sun {GB}).
“We've been busy so far today. We've had a lot of interest from people who want to invest and race horses with Te Akau,” Ellis said.
“I think the quality of the sale this year is at a very high level. We've had good growing conditions in New Zealand this season and that's reflected in the quality of horses in this catalogue.
“This Savabeel colt is a beautiful colt. He's attractive a colt as I've bought at this sale - the only other one I've rated as highly as this colt was Xtravagant. Genetics experts rated this genetic cross as high as you can get.”
“We've had good growing conditions in New Zealand this season and that's reflected in the quality of horses in this catalogue.” – David Ellis
Xtravagant (NZ) (Pentire {GB}) was a NZ$375,000 Karaka purchase and won six of his 12 starts for Te Akau including the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas and the G1 NRM Sprint. He is now at stud at Newhaven Park in New South Wales.
“We think this colt can run in the race (Karaka Million 2YO) next year and he'll go into this year's colts’ syndicate,” Ellis said.
“He's a different type of Savabeel to Probabeel, but I'd say he compares very favourably with Cool Aza Beel. He might be more precocious than him, and he has a lot of 2-year-old black type in his pedigree.
“In the morning my budget for this colt was NZ$600,000, but Mark Walker told me I wouldn't get him for less than NZ$800,000. He was bang on.”
Lot 79 - Savabeel x Magic Dancer (NZ) (colt)
Waikato Stud principal Mark Chittick was delighted, and mildly surprised, with the result.
“He’s a quality colt and exceeded our expectations,” he said. “I think if any horse makes over $500,000 you have to be happy.
“It was a battle between Te Akau and Team Hawkes and David got it. It’s another huge credit to Savabeel and he repaid Te Akau on Saturday night.”
Chittick was referring to Savabeel’s Karaka Million double at Ellerslie with Cool Aza Beel and Probabeel.
Mark Chittick of Waikato Stud
Pharoah admirer
Guy Mulcaster is an American Pharoah (USA) fan and he backed his judgment when he signed for Pencarrow Stud’s colt, Lot 189, for NZ$575,000.
“He’s doing a super job and they’re doing it on the grass and on dirt. To have a Triple Crown winner standing down here is a privilege and he’s leaving really good types,” Mulcaster said.
Lot 189 - American Pharoah (USA) x Posavina (colt)
American Pharoah’s first Northern Hemisphere crop includes the G2 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Four Wheel Drive (USA) and the G2 Keeneland Jessamine S. winner Sweet Melania (USA).
Mulcaster said he purchased the colt for clients of Chris Waller’s champion stable.
“I first saw the colt last Wednesday and Chris saw him on Saturday morning and loved him. We were lucky enough to secure him.”
“I first saw the colt last Wednesday and Chris saw him on Saturday morning and loved him.” – Guy Mulcaster
Mulcaster was expecting tough competition and he wasn’t disappointed.
“These good colts are making their money, some are struggling a bit and people are after quality,” he said.
The American Pharoah colt is a half-brother to the five-time winner and Listed placegetter Podravina (Bel Esprit). Their dam Posavina (NZ) (Tiger Hill {Ire}) won the G3 Lowland S. and is a half-sister to the G2 Travis S. winner Rasa Lila (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}).
There is also a strong international element to this family with the three-time North American Group 1 winner Stella Madrid (USA) (Alydar {USA}) on the page.
Mulcaster later went to NZ$360,000 for Koru Thoroughbreds’ son, Lot 216, of Medaglia d’Oro (USA) and Razeena (Exceed And Excel). He too will head to Waller's yard.
The colt boasts a strong international pedigree with the second dam Earthsea (Fr) (Machiavellian {USA}) a half-sister to the Group 1 winners and sires Dolphin Street (Fr) (Bluebird {USA}) and Saffron Walden (Fr) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}).
Job secure
Will Bourne’s position as Ciaron Maher’s Bloodstock Manager is safe following his purchase with Astute Bloodstock’s Louis Le Metayer of a Showcasing (GB) colt, Lot 28, for NZ$500,000 out of Haunui Farm’s draft.
“Ciaron flew back on Saturday morning and told me if I don’t buy him I won’t have a job,” Bourne said. “He was the one horse on the complex that he wanted.
“He said he really reminded him of Jameka in the way he walked. We’ve done a bit of business with Astute so we decided to buy the colt together.”
Lot 28 - Showcasing (GB) x Khales (colt)
Jameka (Myboycharlie {Ire}) was a star performer for Maher and won six races, including the G1 VRC Oaks and the G1 Caulfield Cup.
The youngster is from the last crop of Showcasing, who no longer shuttles to Haunui from his English base at Whitsbury Manor Stud after they bought out the New Zealand shareholders in 2018.
“He had two Group 1 winners at Royal Ascot from his first two crops,” Le Metayer said. “He has about six per cent of stakes winners to runners and is as good a stallion as there is.”
“He had two Group 1 winners at Royal Ascot from his first two crops.” - Louis Le Metayer
Advertise (GB) and Quiet Reflection (GB) have been his flagship performers in the Northern Hemisphere.
The colt is a son of Khales (NZ) (Don Eduardo {NZ}), who raced once, and is a brother to the Group placed La Mouline (NZ) and a half-brother to the Singapore stakes winner Bahana (NZ) (Elusive City {USA}).
It is also the family of the G1 Schweppes Oaks winner Princess Jenni (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and the G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup winner Beauty Watch (Belong To Me {USA}), also a multiple Group 1 placegetter.
Realistic approach
Cambridge Stud Chief Executive Officer Henry Plumptre emphasised a realistic approach had to be taken at this sale and he was delighted with the NZ$375,000 realised by the farm’s Snitzel colt, Lot 13, out of the history-making Katie Lee (NZ) (Pins).
“You have got to meet the market and get these horses sold,” he said. “This colt is a combination of Mum and Dad.
“He’s not big, but Snitzel wasn’t a huge yearling. He punches well above his weight and is a fantastic stallion.”
The dam Katie Lee, the only horse to have completed the G1 New Zealand 1000-2000 Guineas double, has left two winners while her son Lethal (NZ) (Savabeel) has placed from a handful of starts.
Lethal was a NZ$1,025,000 yearling purchase for Ellis, who also had the final say on securing the Snitzel colt.
Katie Lee had an Iffraaj (GB) colt that was sold last year to Aquis and Team Rogerson for NZ$420,000 and has had one start. The mare has an Almanzor (Fr) foal at foot and is back in foal to the multiple Group 1 winner.
Lot 13 - Snitzel x Katie Lee (colt)
Well-related colt
A half-brother to the Group 1 winner Julius (NZ) (Swiss Ace) offered by Westbury Stud as Lot 145 was sold for NZ$330,000 to the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
The grey colt is out of the Danzero mare Oh So Royale, who won two minor sprints, and she has also produced Battenburg (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}). He has yet to win, but placed in the G1 Spring Champion S.
Lot 145 - Reliable Man (GB) x Oh So Royal (colt)
The family also includes the G2 Shannon S. winner Vashka (Exceed And Excel) and the black type winner Renewal (Dream Ahead {USA}).
“He’s a well balanced, athletic colt from a tough, sound family who we believe will be well suited to Hong Kong,” said Craig Rounsefell, Southern Hemisphere buyer for the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
One of the under-bidders on the Westbury Stud colt was trainer John Bell, who prepared Julius to claim top honours in the G1 Railway S. at Ellerslie.
Top Lots
| 155 | Pierro | Our Squeezer | C | $900,000 | Hiwi Lodge |
| 79 | Savabeel | Magic Dancer (NZ) | C | $800,000 | Mr DC Ellis |
| 189 | American Pharoah (USA) | Posavina (NZ) | C | $575,000 | Mr CJ Waller/ Mulcaster Bloodstock |
| 28 | Showcasing (GB) | Khales (NZ) | C | $500,000 | Ciaron Maher Bloodstock/ Astute Bloodstock |
| 184 | Hinchinbrook | Pollybeel (NZ) | C | $400,000 | Lindsay Park Racing/ Andrew Williams Bloodstock |
| 13 | Snitzel | Katie Lee | C | $375,000 | Mr DC Ellis |
| 69 | Savabeel | Love And Kisses | F | $360,000 | Rogerson Bloodstock |
| 216 | Medaglia d'Oro (USA) | Razeena | C | $360,000 | Mr CJ Waller/ Mulcaster Bloodstock |
| 136 | Fastnet Rock | No Tricks (NZ) | F | $340,000 | Rogerson Bloodstock |
| 145 | Reliable Man (GB) | Oh So Royal | C | $330,000 | The Hong Kong Jockey Club |
Top buyers
| Mr DC Ellis | 11 | $241,818 | $200,000 | $2,660,000 |
| Mr CJ Waller / Mulcaster Bloodstock | 5 | $275,000 | $220,000 | $1,375,000 |
| Hiwi Lodge | 2 | $590,000 | $590,000 | $1,180,000 |
| Rogerson Bloodstock | 3 | $251,667 | $340,000 | $755,000 |
| The Hong Kong Jockey Club | 2 | $315,000 | $315,000 | $630,000 |
| Lindsay Park Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock | 2 | $300,000 | $300,000 | $600,000 |
| Mr R Yiu | 2 | $280,000 | $280,000 | $560,000 |
| Ciaron Maher Bloodstock / Astute Bloodstock | 1 | $500,000 | $500,000 | $500,000 |
| Go Racing | 5 | $90,000 | $80,000 | $450,000 |
| John Foote Bloodstock | 3 | $146,667 | $150,000 | $440,000 |
Top sires by average (3 or more sold)
| American Pharoah (USA) | 3 | $291,667 | $200,000 | $875,000 |
| Savabeel | 15 | $259,000 | $220,000 | $3,885,000 |
| Iffraaj (GB) | 6 | $140,000 | $120,000 | $840,000 |
| Darci Brahma (NZ) | 4 | $135,000 | $122,500 | $540,000 |
| Vadamos (Fr) | 6 | $134,167 | $145,000 | $805,000 |
| Tavistock (NZ) | 19 | $116,842 | $110,000 | $2,220,000 |
| Belardo (Ire) | 3 | $116,667 | $90,000 | $350,000 |
| Tivaci | 11 | $114,545 | $90,000 | $1,260,000 |
| Pins | 4 | $93,750 | $90,000 | $375,000 |
Top sires by aggregate
| Savabeel | 15 | $259,000 | $220,000 | $3,885,000 |
| Tavistock (NZ) | 19 | $116,842 | $110,000 | $2,220,000 |
| Tivaci | 11 | $114,545 | $90,000 | $1,260,000 |
| Pierro | 2 | $487,500 | $487,500 | $975,000 |
| American Pharoah (USA) | 3 | $291,667 | $200,000 | $875,000 |
| Iffraaj (GB) | 6 | $140,000 | $120,000 | $840,000 |
| Vadamos (Fr) | 6 | $134,167 | $145,000 | $805,000 |
| Showcasing (GB) | 2 | $357,500 | $357,500 | $715,000 |
| Sacred Falls (NZ) | 9 | $64,444 | $50,000 | $580,000 |
| Darci Brahma (NZ) | 4 | $135,000 | $122,500 | $540,000 |
Top vendors by average
| Monovale Farm | 2 | $310,000 | $310,000 | $620,000 |
| Trelawney Stud Ltd | 2 | $230,000 | $230,000 | $460,000 |
| Westbury Stud | 12 | $220,833 | $140,000 | $2,650,000 |
| Pencarrow Stud | 5 | $220,000 | $175,000 | $1,100,000 |
| Waikato Stud Ltd | 17 | $195,588 | $160,000 | $3,325,000 |
| Little Avondale Stud | 4 | $191,250 | $152,500 | $765,000 |
| Haunui Farm | 12 | $189,583 | $140,000 | $2,275,000 |
| Rich Hill Stud | 6 | $171,667 | $180,000 | $1,030,000 |
| Henley Park | 1 | $160,000 | $160,000 | $160,000 |
| Cambridge Stud | 15 | $155,000 | $150,000 | $2,325,000 |
Top vendors by aggregate
| Waikato Stud Ltd | 17 | $195,588 | $160,000 | $3,325,000 |
| Westbury Stud | 12 | $220,833 | $140,000 | $2,650,000 |
| Cambridge Stud | 15 | $155,000 | $150,000 | $2,325,000 |
| Haunui Farm | 12 | $189,583 | $140,000 | $2,275,000 |
| Pencarrow Stud | 5 | $220,000 | $175,000 | $1,100,000 |
| Wentwood Grange | 9 | $115,556 | $100,000 | $1,040,000 |
| Rich Hill Stud | 6 | $171,667 | $180,000 | $1,030,000 |
| Little Avondale Stud | 4 | $191,250 | $152,500 | $765,000 |
| Curraghmore | 6 | $120,833 | $110,000 | $725,000 |
| Woburn Farm | 7 | $91,429 | $110,000 | $640,000 |
Lots purchased by buyer location
| Waikato | 32 | $145,234 | $100,000 | $4,647,500 |
| New South Wales | 27 | $172,037 | $150,000 | $4,645,000 |
| Victoria | 30 | $127,583 | $80,000 | $3,827,500 |
| Te Akau | 12 | $227,500 | $187,500 | $2,730,000 |
| Hong Kong | 12 | $194,167 | $190,000 | $2,330,000 |
| Auckland | 12 | $110,833 | $97,500 | $1,330,000 |
| Queensland | 8 | $96,875 | $102,500 | $775,000 |
| China | 2 | $175,000 | $175,000 | $350,000 |
| Western Australia | 2 | $120,000 | $120,000 | $240,000 |
| Manawatu-Whanganui | 2 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $200,000 |
