Cover image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
At A Glance
At the close of Book 2, the aggregate was reported as NZ$11,516,000, which is an increase from the NZ$10,036,000 cashed at the same point in 2022. In 2021, the aggregate at the conclusion of Book 2 was NZ$8,853,000, while in 2020 it sat at NZ$9,873,500.
In total, 267 lots sold at an average of NZ$43,131, which is higher than the NZ$40,632 realised at the same point last year. In 2021, the average at the same point of the sale was NZ$41,759, while in 2020 it was NZ$35,012.
The median finished at NZ$32,000, which is up on the NZ$30,000 recorded in 2022. Book 2 finished in 2021, the median sat at NZ$30,000, while after the first two days of trade in 2020 the median closed at NZ$25,000.
The clearance rate closed at 71 per cent, which is a huge improvement on last year’s 64 per cent.
The combined turnover for Books 1 and 2 reached NZ$82,091,500. The average and median climbed to NZ$111,235 and NZ$80,000 respectively, while the clearance rate reached 77 per cent (up from 75 per cent).
Top honours on Day 3 went the way of two colts by Ribchester (Ire) and Proisir, who were both bought by John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA) for NZ$160,000 apiece.
Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup purchased the top lot of Book 2, paying NZ$180,000 for Lot 789 from the draft of Rich Hill Stud.
Foote, buying on behalf of Hong Kong clients, finished as the leading buyer, purchasing eight yearlings for a total spend of NZ$890,000.
Haunui Farm took top vendor honours after they sold 22 lots for an aggregate of NZ$1,123,000 at an average of NZ$51,045, while the leading vendor by average (with the three or more lots sold) was Kilgravin Lodge, who sold four lots for an average of NZ$90,625.
Redwood (GB) led the way in terms of average (with three or more sold) and he was represented by four yearlings who made an average price of NZ$83,750, while Proisir was the leading sire by aggregate having sold 26 youngsters for NZ$1,498,500.
Foote active in the final session
John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA) has been active all week at Book 2 of the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale and on Friday, the final day of trade, the bloodstock agent bought eight yearlings, headed by a colt by Ribchester (Ire) and a son of Proisir, paying NZ$160,000 apiece for the pair.
Gallery: The top two lots purchased by John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA) on the last day of the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale Book 2, images courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Catalogued as Lot 978 and offered by Seaton Park, the colt’s sire Proisir has been popular all week, finishing Book 1 with impressive numbers. In total he had 19 yearlings sell for an aggregate of NZ$3,590,000 at an average of NZ$188,947, which is 21 times his service fee.
During Book 2, the son of Choisir’s 26 yearlings sold for total receipts of NZ$1,498,500 at an average of NZ$57,634 and this was Foote’s second colt by the sire he bought at Book 2, having purchased another son of the stallion for NZ$75,000 later on in the afternoon on Friday.
The recent surge in popularity for progeny of the stallion comes off the back of a wonderful spell of results that sees him sitting atop the Leading New Zealand Sires’ Championship. He owes a lot of his success to Legarto (NZ), who won the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas, while his son, Pier (NZ) landed the G1 New Zealand 2000 and more recently another of his daughters, Prowess (NZ) took out the Karaka Million 3YO Classic.
Proisir | Standing at Rich Hill Stud
This colt was the second-highest price for a son of Proisir during Book 2, with another colt by the stallion having topped the first session when purchased by Hawkesbury-based trainer Brad Widdup for NZ$180,000, a price that was never bettered.
The stallion finished the leading sire by aggregate at the close of the Book 2 and Rich Hill’s John Thompson was delighted with the results accrued by Proisir throughout both books of the sale.
“He has really put his hand up as one of the country’s premier stallions,” said Thompson. “His commercial viability has gone to another level. His stock was consistently sought after by all our major markets.
“He (Proisir) has really put his hand up as one of the country’s premier stallions. His commercial viability has gone to another level. His stock was consistently sought after by all our major markets.” - John Thompson
“For me personally, it was great to see them entering so many leading Australian stables. His future looks assured with the numbers and quality of the mares coming through over the next few years.”
Ribchester's star on the rise?
Meanwhile, Ribchester, who began life at Darley’s Kelvinside base before being relocated to Haunui Farm and the yearlings offered this year are the first crop conceived at the New Zealand nursery. So far in the Southern Hemisphere, the stallion has been represented by eight winners headed by stakes-winning 2-year-old Krakarib.
During Book 2, the son of Iffraaj (GB) had 12 lots and they made total receipts of NZ$774,000 at an average of NZ$64,500.
Ribchester (Ire) | Standing at Haunui Farm
Catalogued as Lot 1048 and offered as part of the Woburn Farm draft, the colt is out of unraced mare The Grey Lady (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) and she is herself a half-sister to prolific Singapore winner Cavallo (Testa Rossa).
“Six of the horses I purchased today are destined for Hong Kong, including those two colts,” Foote said. “Proisir is doing a good job and I think Ribchester is a horse that is on the way up.”
The Ribchester was one of two purchases for Foote by the stallion, with the agent parting with NZ$80,000 for the filly who he bought in conjunction with Queensland-based trainer Tony Gollan.
John Foote | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
All up during Book 2, Foote purchased eight lots for a total spend of NZ$890,000, which saw him finish the sale as the leading buyer by aggregate, while he bought a further four yearlings in conjunction with other buyers.
“Ribchester has made a great start in Australia and Europe, but I’m not here just to buy them, I’m here to buy nice horses and they fitted the bill,” Foote said.
“We like to purchase horses in this price range and it was a bit difficult to buy at the Gold Coast. At Karaka you can buy a nice horse for a pretty sensible price.”
“We like to purchase horses in this price range and it was a bit difficult to buy at the (Magic Millions) Gold Coast. At Karaka you can buy a nice horse for a pretty sensible price.” - John Foote
Perfect fit for Hong Kong
Woburn Farm’s Adrian Stanley was pleased with the result and told TDN AusNZ he expected Ribchester to make his mark amongst the stallion ranks in New Zealand in the years to come.
“Ribchester had a good sale and he has good enough progeny on the ground now to have a real crack at bettering his position in the stallion ranks. He didn’t really get the opportunity in Australia, but with the limited opportunity he get's in Australia he has done pretty well with a couple of stakes horses already,” said Stanley.
“Ribchester had a good sale and he has good enough progeny on the ground now to have a real crack at bettering his position in the stallion ranks.” - Adrian Stanley
Stanley said he was delighted to see the colt bought by Foote and was confident he would suit the style of racing in Hong Kong.
“He was a strong, athletic type, medium-sized but all round he’ll be a great racehorse. John (Foote) came to the farm and looked at him and he must have caught his eye from there. He was very popular during the inspections,” said Stanley.
“This horse will cope well in Hong Kong. He has a good attitude. He’s not a big heavy horse, but he is strong and athletic, and I think he is the perfect horse to head up there, because he has a bit of speed about him.
Adrian Stanley | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
“I thought he would be one of the best in Book 2, I rated him as a foal right the way through. He has been a pretty straightforward horse and he’s turned out to be a really cracking type.”
Another good result for Ardrossan
Waikato Stud’s emerging stallion Ardrossan was well-supported by the buying bench during Book 1 of the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale and those results kept coming during Book 2, including on Friday when Cambridge-based trainer John Bell secured a colt by the stallion for NZ$150,000 from the draft of Highline Thoroughbreds.
There was a buzz surrounding the second crop by the sire, with the stallion having been handed a brilliant result last month when his son Codigo (NZ) kept his unbeaten record intact when he landed the Listed Wellesley S., and in the process became his young stallion’s first stakes winner.
Ardrossan | Standing at Waikato Stud
During Book 1 the son of Redoute's Choice had all seven his yearlings sell for a gross of NZ$815,000 at an average of NZ$116,428 - 23 times his 2020 service fee. The stallion's best result of last week came when Waikato Bloodstock (BAFNZ) bought a colt from Elsdon Park for NZ$260,000.
Friday’s NZ$150,000 colt is out of Listed Welcome S. placegetter Venetian Raider (NZ) (Rusty Spur {USA}) and Highline Thoroughbreds’ Eva Heron told TDN AusNZ they expected the yearling to prove popular at the sale and was delighted with the result.
“We expected him to be well-received. He was extremely popular and he was such a dude, who took everything in his stride. He was an amazing horse to prep and he was so popular it wasn’t funny,” said Heron.
Lot 1066 - Ardrossan x Venetian Raider (NZ) (colt) | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“The stallion is really on the up, which is fantastic and we are pleased to see a New Zealand stallion really making their mark, so it is great for the stallion himself and great for New Zealand, so overall I think it’s a win for everyone.
“We thought he would be a six-figure colt, but we weren’t sure how far he would go. With him being at the end of the sale was a bit of the unknown because some of the buyers had spent their money, even though they might like the colt, but people hung around for him which was obviously good to see.”
“He (Lot 1066) was extremely popular and he was such a dude, who took everything in his stride... We thought he would be a six-figure colt, but we weren’t sure how far he would go.” - Eva Heron
At the close of Book 2, Ardrossan had 10 yearlings sell for a gross of NZ$702,500 and finished with a closing average of NZ$70,250, a figure that was only bettered by one stallion; Redwood (GB), who was represented by four yearlings, and they made an average price of NZ$83,750.
Seabrook hails return of international buyers
New Zealand Bloodstock’s Managing Director Andrew Seabrook said he was pleased with the six days of buoyant trade at Karaka.
“We are very pleased by the results achieved over the six days,” said Seabrook. “It was great to have our international friends back on the grounds at Karaka and we saw both the combined Australian and Asian spend substantially increase on last year’s results.
“Australian spend increased by NZ$13 million in 2022, although it was disappointing to see the domestic spend down by NZ$10 million. If the Kiwis had spent what they did in 2022, the sale could have been huge.
“The most heartening statistic is the solid increase in both our combined average and median results pre-COVID (2020). The combined average spend is up by 22 per cent, and the median increased by 45 per cent, indicating the strength of the middle market.
“The most heartening statistic is the solid increase in both our combined average and median results pre-COVID (2020). The combined average spend is up by 22 per cent, and the median increased by 45 per cent, indicating the strength of the middle market.” - Andrew Seabrook
“We must thank our vendors for preparing their horses to an outstanding level yet again, which was reflected by the results in the sale ring.”
Top lots
| 978 | Proisir | Savvy Walk | C | Seaton Park | John Foote Bloodstock (Hong Kong) | NZ$160,000 |
| 1048 | Ribchester | The Grey Lady | C | Woburn Farm | John Foote Bloodstock (Hong Kong) | NZ$160,000 |
| 1066 | Ardrossan | Venetian Raider | C | Highline Thoroughbreds | Bell Racing (Waikato) | NZ$150,000 |
| 990 | Ocean Park | Sha Tin Sunday | C | Weowna Park | Brewers Bloodstock (Auckland) | NZ$135,000 |
| 961 | Vadamos | Rockabye Lady | C | Hallmark Stud | Ballymore Stables / Paul Moroney Bloodstock / Catheryne Bruggeman (Waikato) | NZ$120,000 |
| 974 | Ribchester | Sapphire Lass | C | Haunui Farm | Tartan Meadow Bloodstock (Hong Kong) | NZ$115,000 |
| 985 | Vanbrugh | Severa | C | Windsor Park Stud | Archer Equine Investments (Auckland) | NZ$100,000 |
| 1050 | Embellish | The Lady | C | Woburn Farm | Magus Equine (Hong Kong) | NZ$95,000 |
| 980 | Ace High | Scrutiny | C | Hallmark Stud | Mr RA James / Mr R Wellwood (Waikato) | NZ$90,000 |
| 1065 | Ardrossan | Underthemoonlight | C | Kilgravin Lodge | PJ & DM Williams (Auckland) | NZ$90,000 |
Top buyers
| John Foote Bloodstock (Hong Kong) | 8 | NZ$890,000 | NZ$111,250 | NZ$160,000 |
| Tartan Meadow Bloodstock (Hong Kong) | 4 | NZ$422,500 | NZ$105,625 | NZ$160,000 |
| Ballymore Stables / Paul Moroney Bloodstock / Catheryne Bruggeman (Waikato) | 6 | NZ$407,000 | NZ$67,833 | NZ$120,000 |
| Patella Bloodstock (Waikato) | 9 | NZ$358,500 | NZ$39,833 | NZ$72,500 |
| Lisa Latta Racing Stables (Manawatu-Whanganui) | 8 | NZ$340,500 | NZ$42,563 | NZ$80,000 |
| Mr PB Payne (Victoria) | 3 | NZ$290,000 | NZ$96,667 | NZ$100,000 |
| Bruce Perry Bloodstock (BAFNZ) (Wellington) | 4 | NZ$255,000 | NZ$63,750 | NZ$90,000 |
| Wexford Stables (Waikato) | 5 | NZ$247,500 | NZ$49,500 | NZ$60,000 |
| Paul Moroney Bloodstock / Catheryne Bruggeman / Sears Racing (Queensland) | 3 | NZ$185,000 | NZ$61,667 | NZ$90,000 |
| Brad Widdup Racing (New South Wales) | 1 | NZ$180,000 | NZ$180,000 | NZ$180,000 |
Vendors by aggregate (3 or more sold)
| Haunui Farm | 22 | NZ$1,123,000 | NZ$51,045 | NZ$115,000 |
| Rich Hill Stud | 17 | NZ$841,000 | NZ$49,471 | NZ$180,000 |
| Westbury Stud | 14 | NZ$830,000 | NZ$59,286 | NZ$135,000 |
| Highline Thoroughbreds | 9 | NZ$644,000 | NZ$71,556 | NZ$150,000 |
| Woburn Farm | 11 | NZ$606,500 | NZ$55,136 | NZ$160,000 |
| Little Avondale Stud | 14 | NZ$573,500 | NZ$40,964 | NZ$135,000 |
| Windsor Park Stud | 10 | NZ$507,500 | NZ$50,750 | NZ$130,000 |
| Highview | 12 | NZ$490,000 | NZ$40,833 | NZ$75,000 |
| Seaton Park | 11 | NZ$460,000 | NZ$41,818 | NZ$160,000 |
| Hallmark Stud | 5 | NZ$380,000 | NZ$76,000 | NZ$120,000 |
Vendors by average (3 or more sold)
| Kilgravin Lodge | 4 | NZ$90,625 | NZ$362,500 | NZ$140,000 |
| Hallmark Stud | 5 | NZ$76,000 | NZ$380,000 | NZ$120,000 |
| Milan Park | 5 | NZ$74,000 | NZ$370,000 | NZ$160,000 |
| Highline Thoroughbreds | 9 | NZ$71,556 | NZ$644,000 | NZ$150,000 |
| Landsdowne Park | 3 | NZ$60,667 | NZ$182,000 | NZ$100,000 |
| Westbury Stud | 14 | NZ$59,286 | NZ$830,000 | NZ$135,000 |
| Highden Park | 3 | NZ$58,333 | NZ$175,000 | NZ$100,000 |
| Woburn Farm | 11 | NZ$55,136 | NZ$606,500 | NZ$160,000 |
| Inglewood Stud | 3 | NZ$51,333 | NZ$154,000 | NZ$80,000 |
| Haunui Farm | 22 | NZ$51,045 | NZ$1,123,000 | NZ$115,000 |
Sires by aggregate (3 or more sold)
Sires by average (3 or more sold)
| Redwood | 4 | NZ$83,750 | NZ$335,000 | NZ$135,000 |
| Ardrossan | 10 | NZ$70,250 | NZ$702,500 | NZ$150,000 |
| Ribchester | 12 | NZ$64,500 | NZ$774,000 | NZ$160,000 |
| Grunt | 4 | NZ$63,750 | NZ$255,000 | NZ$110,000 |
| Vanbrugh | 7 | NZ$60,643 | NZ$424,500 | NZ$130,000 |
| Proisir | 26 | NZ$57,635 | NZ$1,498,500 | NZ$180,000 |
| Sweynesse | 5 | NZ$57,200 | NZ$286,000 | NZ$140,000 |
| Shocking | 5 | NZ$52,000 | NZ$260,000 | NZ$100,000 |
| Reliable Man | 8 | NZ$51,250 | NZ$410,000 | NZ$100,000 |
| Wrote | 13 | NZ$46,538 | NZ$605,000 | NZ$75,000 |
