Cover image courtesy of Valachi Downs
Gareth Downey and the rest of the staff at Valachi Downs will head to Friday’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling Sale at Karaka with mixed emotions.
They are buoyed by the fact they have a top-quality dispersal draft of 20 weanlings, but at the same time, there is an understandable sadness that the doors will close at the boutique thoroughbred stud in Matamata, Waikato – the heartland of New Zealand’s breeding industry.
Kevin and Jo Hickman built the stud that operates on more than 600 acres and covers all aspects of breeding and racing, including significant expansions in 2018 with the standing of stallions in a new purpose-built station and the acquisition of a private training facility adjacent to the nearby Matamata Racecourse.
Kevin and Jo Hickman | Image courtesy of Valachi Downs
At the end of May, the Hickmans announced they had sold the business to passionate racing and breeding enthusiasts Lib and Katrina Petagna, the owners of breeding business Elsdon Park. The Petagnas have confirmed Valachi Downs will be rebranded as Elsdon Park.
The New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling Sale will be the final time Valachi Downs is represented at a public auction, with the remainder of the business’ stock to be dispersed online.
Gareth Downey, general manager of Valachi Downs | Image courtesy of Valachi Downs
“It’s the last Valachi appearance at Karaka or any physical auction; we’ve still got the dispersal sales to happen online,” Gareth Downey, who has been Valachi Downs’ general manager for the past four years, told TDN AusNZ.
“Everyone talks about things feeling bittersweet at times like this. We’re very happy with the draft, we’re doing the best we can, we’ve got a great team of people working very hard, and we’re selling very nice horses; we’d love it if we were carrying on with those very nice horses, but that’s not to be.
“Everyone talks about things feeling bittersweet at times like this. We’re very happy with the draft, we’re doing the best we can, we’ve got a great team of people working very hard, and we’re selling very nice horses; we’d love it if we were carrying on with those very nice horses, but that’s not to be.” - Gareth Downey
“I’m sure there’ll be a bit of emotion involved as the hammer goes down on the last horse.
“It’s a pretty tough time… we are very lucky to have such high-quality people at Valachi; we have always recognised that and appreciated it, but during what is a very difficult time, you see that quality of people shining through. Even though it’s a very busy time and it’s always hard work anyway, it would be understandable if people were possibly struggling for as much motivation as usual, but that’s not the case, everyone is putting in as always.
“We have felt privileged to work for Kevin Hickman and Valachi Downs and that’s not a privilege we take lightly.
“It’s very sad to see it come to an end.”
A draft stacked with quality
Twenty weanlings (11 colts and nine fillies) have been added to the supplementary catalogue on behalf of the Valachi Downs Dispersal Sale, and they will be offered immediately before Lot 1.
Valachi Downs will offer eight weanlings by U S Navy Flag (USA), who stood at Valachi Downs for two seasons; six by Ten Sovereigns (Ire), who served at Valachi Downs for one season; two by Savabeel; two by Almanzor (Fr); one by Turn Me Loose (NZ); and one by War Decree (USA).
Downey claims their 11 colts present excellent pinhooking or end-user opportunities, while the nine fillies represent opportunities to buy into some lovely families.
U S Navy Flag (USA) stood at Valachi Downs for two seasons | Standing at Coolmore Ireland
“This would have been our yearling draft in 2023 and it’s a draft we would have been extremely happy to bring here to a yearling sale. As we all know, those are not usually what makes up a weanling draft. It’s a draft that we are very, very happy with,” said Downey.
“It’s been a manic day (Wednesday), with plenty of parades, which is what we wanted it to be, but it was still quite challenging.
“It’s a draft of 20 that’s a dispersal draft, so they always do create plenty of interest.”
Highlight lots
Lot 1004 is a U S Navy Flag filly out of Al Bayan (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}). She is a half-sister to five winners including the G3 Sunline Vase victress Communique (NZ) (Redwood {GB}), who also placed in the G2 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile.
“She’s a later foal, so as a weanling she’s probably on the smaller side because of her birth date, but with that gorgeous family behind her, I think she’s a wonderful opportunity to invest into a future broodmare. She’s got a lot of quality, she moves very nicely,” Downey said.
Lot 1005 is a colt by Champion Sire Savabeel out of the Group 2-winning mare Bohemian Lily (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}). That mare is a sister to Group 1 heroine Shamrocker (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) and Group 1-placed Vernanme (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), plus a half-sister to Group 1 winner Rock Diva (NZ) (Lucky Unicorn).
Gallery: Three highlights of the Valachi Downs Dispersal Sale, images courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“He is the clear standout of our draft and I think he will be the Sale-topper for us. I think he would have made serious money as a yearling. He’s very nicely put together; he’s exactly what you want to see in a Savabeel with a wonderful pedigree behind him. We’ve had some exceptionally positive feedback on him,” Downey explained.
Lot 1018 is a Savabeel filly from the three-time winner Quest (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}). She is related to Group 3 victress Limerick (NZ) (Grosvenor {NZ}) and Group 3 winner Capella (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}).
“She is another by Savabeel that should come into good demand. She’s from a good, solid New Zealand family,” Downey said.
Lot 1019 a filly by New Zealand’s leading first-season sire Almanzor out of Sister Celeste (Galileo {Ire}), making this filly a half-sister to the G1 Sistema S. placegetter Kelly Renee (NZ) (Vespa {NZ}). Also on her page is recent Group 1 winner Hinged (Worthy Cause).
“She’s a gorgeous Almanzor filly from a good family,” said Downey.
