Cover image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

At A Glance

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The Day 1 aggregate of NZ$30,725,5000 is a record for New Zealand Bloodstock, and is far superior to last year (NZ$22,420,000). This year, 215 yearlings were catalogued, whereas in 2023 it was 192. The aggregate in 2022 was NZ$20,042,500.

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Sunday’s average (NZ$195,704) is significantly better than the previous two years (NZ$160,143 in 2023, NZ$159,067 in 2022).

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The median finished at a healthy NZ$150,000, which is slightly up on last year (NZ$147,500) and much better than 2022 (NZ$125,000).

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At the conclusion of Sunday’s trade, the clearance rate for 155 lots sold sat at 73 per cent, which is the same as 12 months ago and up on 2022 (69 per cent).

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Moody Racing won a spirited bidding war for the Day 1 sale-topper, going to NZ$1.6 million for Lot 21 - a Proisir filly out of Donna Marie, which was consigned by Hallmark Stud.

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The top-selling colt made NZ$725,000. Consigned by Elsdon Park as Lot 55, he is by Zoustar from Evalina.

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Te Akau’s David Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) was the leading buyer by aggregate on Day 1, spending NZ$3.4 million on 14 yearlings at an average of NZ$242,900.

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The leading buyer by average (three or more) was Chris Waller/Guy Mulcaster; they averaged NZ$460,900 on six yearlings.

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The leading vendor by aggregate was Waikato Stud. It sold 21 lots for a gross of NZ$3,445,000 at an average of NZ$164,000.

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The leading sire by aggregate is Savabeel, he had 16 yearlings make NZ$3,975,000, while the leading sire by average (three or more sold) is Proisir, with seven yearlings averaging NZ$441,428.

#1. Donna Marie delivers landmark result for Hallmark Stud

The NZ$20,000 Hallmark Stud paid for Donna Marie (NZ) (Don Eduardo {NZ}), who was winless in eight starts in New Zealand, at the 2014 NZB National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale is proving to be money extremely well spent.

The mare’s fourth foal is Prowess (NZ) (Proisir), and after Hallmark Stud sold her to trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood of Kingsclere Stables for $230,000 at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1), she has gone on to win two Group 1s, amassing NZ$1,620,400 in earnings.

Donna Marie’s sixth foal was the star of the show on Day 1 of the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1), fetching a sale-best NZ$1.6 million - a record price for a filly at this sale, surpassing the NZ$1,450,000 that Gooree Stud paid for the subsequent Group 1 victress Shower Of Roses (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) from the Cambridge Stud draft in 2001.

Consigned by Hallmark Stud as Lot 21, the Proisir filly is a sister to Prowess and was knocked down to Moody Racing.

Hallmark Stud’s Mark Baker was understandably ecstatic post-sale.

“It has exceeded our expectations totally,” Baker said.

“We’ve never sold a million-dollar yearling in our lives. I’ve dreamt of that.

“To get to seven figures is one thing, but to reach NZ$1.6 million is quite surreal.

“Someone will wake me up soon.”

Baker, the son of breeding legend Denny Baker, shared an emotional embrace with wife Vicki and daughter Maddy.

“This result is enormous, what do you say? It would be massive to a big farm,” Baker explained.

“For a mare we bought for NZ$20,000 and off modest service fee, and we own a share in Proisir…

“It’s great for the mare, great for the stallion, great for the farm, I’m delighted for the staff.”

#2. Ellis rapt with industry initiatives

After spending NZ$1.75 million on seven yearlings on Day 1 12 months ago, Te Akau’s David Ellis signed for 14 horses during the opening session (including one in partnership with Fortuna Racing and one for Cambridge Stud).

Ellis’ total spend on Sunday was NZ$3.4 million at an average of NZ$242,900, and he explained that he was determined to get his hands on a number of good yearlings due to the recent initiatives within the New Zealand industry.

“We’ve bought 14 yearlings all together. We came here very bullish. We thought the quality was as good as it's been for many years, and we wanted to buy yearlings to win all these big new races that we have in New Zealand,” Ellis said.

“It’s the most exciting time to be part of New Zealand racing, with what the New Zealand government’s doing, what Entain’s doing and what New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing is doing.

“It’s a combination, they’re all working really well together, and it’s really exciting for somebody that’s been in the industry for a lifetime, I’ve waited for this to happen. It’s not just happening, it’s happening big time, and there’s more good news still to come.

“It’s just great to see everybody working together and to see prizemoney go to a level where owners get a serious return.

“It’s a very satisfying, happy time to be involved in this great industry.”

The most expensive purchase for Ellis was Lot 224 - a colt by I Am Invincible from the unraced Don Eduardo (NZ) mare Midnight Revels (NZ), which makes him a half-brother to Seabrook (Hinchinbrook), herself a Group 1 winner at two. Offered by Highline Thoroughbreds, he realised NZ$510,000

“I bought him for Brendan and Jo Lindsay, they wanted me to buy them what I thought was the best colt in the sale. We selected him and we thought he was great buying for an I Am Invincible colt,” he said.

“I think most people would agree that's one stallion we can train the progeny of.

“I think he (Brendan) would like a nice I Am Invincible colt to stand at Cambridge Stud and we’ll certainly be supporting him.

“He’s a very athletic colt, I thought that he’d be out and about at Christmas time, and could be a lovely Sires’ Produce colt, then make a really nice stallion at stud one day with his pedigree.”

Ellis paid NZ$400,000 for Lot 174 - a Zoustar filly offered by Kaha Nui Farm. She is from the winning Fastnet Rock mare Lady Cartier.

He also purchased yearlings by Hello Youmzain (Fr), King’s Legacy, Savabeel, Proisir, Satono Aladdin (Jpn), Snitzel, Super Seth, El Roca and Shamus Award.

#3. Mulcaster and Waller make a splash

Kiwis Guy Mulcaster and Chris Waller were particularly active on Day 1, especially at the top end of the market. Mulcaster - a leading bloodstock agent, and the champion trainer Waller, went to at least NZ$500,000 on three occasions, with their overall spend coming in at NZ$2,765,000 (for six yearlings).

“It was a solid sort of day today although we take it step by step as we are type buyers rather than pedigree as we just want to buy the best horses with Karaka being very good to us,” Mulcaster said.

The pair stretched to NZ$900,000 for Lot 144 - a Satono Aladdin filly offered by Rich Hill Stud. She is out of the unraced O’Reilly (NZ) mare Inthespotlight (NZ) and is closely related to the stakes winners North Pacific, Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel) and Missybeel (NZ) (Savabeel).

The filly is a sister to the Mike Moroney-trained Japanese Emperor (NZ), a Sandown-Lakeside maiden winner and Group 1 placegetter.

“We had a real good go at the sister to Prowess and making NZ$1.6million just stretched us too far, so we’re delighted to secure this filly,” he said.

“Her full brother (Japanese Emperor) is obviously a decent horse, his run in the Guineas was good and this filly looks a very good type and we are happy to have got her.”

Earlier, they paid Pencarrow Stud NZ$550,000 for Lot 62 - a Justify (USA) filly, while Lot 142 - a Wootton Bassett (GB) colt consigned by Haunui Farm - cost them NZ$500,000.

#4. Stunning start pleases NZB

All major metrics are up from the corresponding day 12 months ago, with the gross increasing by NZ$8,305,500 (there were 22 more lots offered in 2024).

The average skyrocketed by more than NZ$35,000 to NZ$195,704, the median increased marginally to NZ$150,000, while the clearance rate finished up at the close of trade at a respectable 73 per cent, which is on par with 2023.

Not surprisingly, Kane Jones, bloodstock sales manager of New Zealand Bloodstock, was delighted with the results from the opening day.

“We’re very pleased with Day 1. It was a very buoyant day of selling,” said Jones.

“To surpass NZ$30 million in one day was outstanding, and to have the average up significantly compared to last year and the median up slightly on last year is great. Plus, a clearance rate of 73 per cent and climbing is pleasing, knowing that we’re selling horses into the evening.

“We know that racing’s certainly on an upswing at the moment and the industry is experiencing a lot of new initiatives and positivity, which is great, but that’s been offset by economic conditions which are a little bit tough at the moment for some people.

“We went into this sale thinking that if we could be similar to last year we would be really pleased, so to be up on last year is great.”

Jones echoed Ellis’ comments, saying the New Zealand industry is in rude health.

“The support of Entain when it comes to the New Zealand racing scene is incredible, and it’s just wonderful to see such harmony between Entain and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing,” Jones commented.

“There’s been a real buzz in the last week.”

Jones highlighted a number of positive results, for both sires and vendors.

“The Hallmark result even made me a little bit emotional, to see a horse like that sell for NZ$1.6 million, she was an absolute superstar, we knew that, and she had the pedigree to match, being a full sister to a Group 1 winner in Prowess. I couldn't be more thrilled for Mark and Vicki (Baker), they’re wonderful people.

Gallery: Popular sires at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale

“The usual suspects were high on the list again, but it’s great to see some emerging sires really well sought-after. Proisir, Super Seth, Satono Aladdin and Hello Youmzain all featured really prominently.”

Jones admitted the Day 1 lineup was strong, but is confident the momentum can be maintained.

“There were a few highlight lots and that showed, but we certainly think it can be maintained. I don't know if we’ll see another NZ$1.6 million horse, but I think it can be maintained over the next two days especially.”

#5. Victorians lead the way

Of the 155 lots sold on Sunday, 35 were purchased by Victorian-based buyers. They spent NZ$6,835,000 at an average of NZ$195,300.

The Waikato region of New Zealand signed for 32 yearlings, spending NZ$5,335,000 at an average of NZ$166,700.

Table: Top 10 Lots on Day 1 of the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale

New South Wales clients bought 30 yearlings at a combined NZ$6,947,500 at an average of $231,600.

Hong Kong shoppers spent NZ$3,655,000 on 14 yearlings at an average of NZ$261,100.

“It has had a positive impact on buyer participation and the purchases we’ve seen. There’s been a number of new faces and a number of old, familiar faces returning to Karaka,” said Jones.

“The buying bench has been nice and diverse.”

Top buyers

Vendors by aggregate

Vendors by average (3 or more sold)

Sires by aggregate

Sires by average (2 or more sold)

Cover image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

Virtually every major player in the Southern Hemisphere was on hand when Hallmark Stud presented the filly by sire sensation Proisir out of Donna Marie (NZ) (Don Eduardo {NZ}), and after a marathon round of bidding it was Victoria-based trainer Peter Moody who held the winning hand at NZ$1.6 million.

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Waikato Stud - Karaka Day 1

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The dam is a perfect four winners from four runners, although by far the most significant of those is the champion Prowess (NZ), whose eight career victories include Group 1 successes in the Bonecrusher New Zealand S. and the Vinery Stud S.

“It’s a big dive into the ocean but she’s a bloody nice filly,” said Moody. “Obviously a lot of people were on her. She presented well and paraded well all week, and she’s a full (sibling) to a Group 1 winner, so she’s always got that residual ticket. She’s got two fulls following her through with the mare. Proisir’s had six individual Group 1 winners this season. She was just one hell of a nice filly. I would’ve loved to have bought her for NZ$800,000 but she was just an outstanding filly.”

He continued: “When you look at the catalogue and see a full sister to what I thought was an absolute superstar and a filly I thought would’ve won the Cox Plate last season, obviously things went against her, but that pricks your interest. It’s very seldom you come to a sale and look at a horse like that and they’re a full to a Group 1 winner and arguably a better type.”

On the marathon bidding battle, Moody added: “It was a grind but thankfully we won out. The justification will be in 12 or 18 months’ time, but I’m really looking forward to having her home in the yard. This time next year you might start to get an idea as to what she’s got but I wouldn’t think it’ll be anything before that.”

The seven-figure youngster becomes the most expensive yearling filly ever sold in New Zealand, dethroning the Zabeel (NZ) filly Shower Of Roses (NZ) who went on to win the G1 Arrowfield Stud S. for Gai Waterhouse after selling to Gooree Stud for NZ$1.45 million back in 2001.

The filly’s price also comfortably eclipsed that of her illustrious older sibling as Prowess sold to Roger James and Robert Wellwood for NZ$230,000 at the NZB Karaka Yearling Sale in 2021.

Proisir, who stands at Rich Hill Stud, has sired 16 stakes winners, including six who have struck in Group 1 company. Prowess is joined at the head of her sire’s stud record by Dark Destroyer (NZ), Legarto (NZ), Levante (NZ), Pier (NZ) and Waitak (NZ).

The close of the 2022/23 season not only saw the son of Choisir end Savabeel’s eight-year reign as champion sire of New Zealand, he also broke that stallion’s progeny earnings record in the process. During the 2023 breeding season Proisir covered a full book at a fee of NZ$70,000 (plus GST).

Lot 144: Satono Aladdin (Jpn) x Inthespotlight (NZ) filly, NZ$900,000

Proisir’s popularity was not the only cause for celebration for Rich Hill Stud enjoyed on the day, as the farm also consigned the Satono Aladdin (Jpn) full sister to Australian Guineas third Japanese Emperor (NZ). The NZ$900,000 filly was the most expensive purchase among a six-strong haul collected by Chris Waller and Guy Mulcaster of Mulcaster Bloodstock.

“That’s the most money for a Satono Aladdin and the most we’ve ever sold a filly for at Karaka,” said Rich Hill’s Managing Director John Thompson. “We had our suspicions (she’d sell well) because up to this morning she’d had 144 parades. She never turned a hair the whole time; people just loved her and kept coming back.

“She’s got a really good temperament, which the sire is known for, everyone says that about the Satonos. She had beautiful conformation and just looks like a racehorse. She belonged to a guy called Trevor Luke, who raced Alamosa, and his health isn’t the best at the moment so this’ll be a big boost for him.”

Satono Aladdin shuttles between Rich Hill and his Japanese base at the Breeders Stallion Station. While the son of Deep Impact (Jpn) hasn’t taken a completely linear path to Southern Hemisphere success, Thompson said there was plenty more to look forward to from the sire of Group 1 winners Pennyweka (NZ) and Tokyo Tycoon (NZ).

“It was a little tough when Satono didn’t come back (because of COVID) because then the next year you’re out of sight and out of mind,” he said. “This crop is certainly not his biggest crop but he’s got two big crops coming through as he’s served 170 mares in the last couple of seasons. Obviously his fee has gone up and it’ll probably continue to go up. When you’re a studmaster you need your stallions’ progeny to go to those sorts of trainers. (Chris Waller) gets the best out of horses and he’s got that Kiwi patience, which is tremendous.”

Mulcaster added of the NZ$900,000 filly: “We identified her early in the week and I realised there was going to be a fair bit of competition on her. We had a good go on the Proisir filly, the full to Prowess, this morning and we got blown out of the water, but I spoke to our clients and we agreed we’d have a good go at this filly. They were very happy to have purchased her.”

Lot 55: Zoustar x Evalina colt, NZ$725,000

Jamie Richards is no stranger to success in New Zealand and returned to a happy hunting ground at Karaka to secure Elsdon Park’s Zoustar colt for NZ$725,000. The Hong Kong-based trainer’s name appeared on the docket alongside Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA).

The six-figure youngster is the first foal out of Evalina, a daughter of I Am Invincible whose three wins were capped by success in the Listed Levin S. at Otaki. She also ran third, beaten just 1.25l by Julius (NZ), in the 2020 running of the G1 Railway S. There is more top-flight form further back in the pedigree as Group 1-winning siblings Shogun Lodge (Grand Lodge {USA}) and Singing The Blues appear beneath the colt’s fourth dam.

Although the four-time champion trainer in New Zealand is now plying his trade in Hong Kong, Richards said his purchase could remain in situ to begin his racing career, potentially being pointed towards the lucrative Karaka Millions.

“He’s by a champion sire and out of a very good mare,” said Richards. “She was by I Am Invincible and those champion sires usually go on and be very good broodmare sires. He’s just a real racy, running type of horse. I’ve bought him for a Hong Kong client who’s not 100 per cent sure what he’s going to do yet. He could well stay here and hopefully be aimed towards the Karaka Million. We’ll just get him home and reassess and work it all out.”

The latest running of the Karaka Million was won by the Stephen Marsh-trained Velocious (Written Tycoon), a NZ$190,000 purchase by Go Racing 12 months ago. Richards expanded on the appeal of having such a valuable prize to aim at, saying: “I think it gives everybody confidence in the way the industry is going. Obviously there’s not a lot of 2-year-old racing in Hong Kong but what NZTR and NZB are doing for New Zealand racing, sitting back in Hong Kong watching on from afar, it’s very exciting. To be back on the sale ground and see the buzz, it’s great for the industry. I’m looking forward to seeing how everything unfolds.”

Asked about the overall strength of this year’s Karaka catalogue, Richards added: “In previous years I’ve been around with Te Akau and looked at all the fillies. I haven’t done that this year but I thought there were some really good colts here and some nice horses that will suit everywhere, really. I thought it was a good catalogue and you know when you come here the horses have been well raised and I think that’s a big benefit for the young horses going forward into their racing careers.”

Richards will forever be associated with multiple Group 1 winners like Gingernuts (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}), Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) and Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}), although he endured a somewhat frustrating start to his time in Hong Kong. However, he has hit better form of late and enjoyed a double at Sha Tin on Wednesday as Magniac (Lucky Street) and G Liner (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) took his tally to 16 winners for the campaign.

He said: “We’re trying to build up a bit of momentum and we’ve got a stable full of young horses. We’re just waiting for them to acclimatise and come on. Hong Kong is a very challenging place but when you’re winning it’s also very rewarding so you’ve just got to keep your chin up and keep working hard and hopefully we can see things improve for the rest of the season.”

Lot 146: Super Seth x Irion (NZ) colt, NZ$700,000

Also buying on behalf of a Hong Kong-based client was Mike Kneebone. The Patella Bloodstock man went to NZ$700,000 for Pencarrow Stud’s well-bred Super Seth colt. The youngster is out of the Group 2-placed Danroad mare Irion (NZ), making him a sibling to three winners. They include the Group 2-winning juvenile Zourion (NZ) (Zoustar), who struck in the Matamata Breeders' S., and the G3 Cuddle S. scorer Pearl Of Alsace (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).

“I started the inspections when I first got over to New Zealand last Saturday and as soon as I saw this colt come out of the box I was very, very keen on him,” said Kneebone. “I thought he was going to be around the four to five hundred (thousand) mark, so my people were really strong on him in the end. They said if you like him, keep going.

“We’re not in any rush with him. We’ll send him out to the farm and get him broken in (race educated) then decide on a trainer as we go forward. We haven’t really thought too much about that at this stage, we just wanted to get him. We were looking for a colt that had a stallion’s pedigree, and as you saw, the mare produces a really nice type.”

Given his client’s stallion ambitions, Kneebone said the initial plan had been to race any acquisitions in Australia. However, the surge in investment in New Zealand, with betting company Entain committing NZ$900 million to the industry over the next five years, has given connections pause for thought.

“It was always going to be Australia but since the announcements from Entain and all the positivity in New Zealand, all of a sudden that’s a big possibility for us now,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons why we’re not discounting New Zealand, although ultimately if he goes really good then we’ll probably be heading over to Australia like everybody else.”

The buyer also offered a positive assessment of Waikato Stud resident Super Seth, whose first runners are reaching the track this season.

“I think Super Seth is one of those sires on the rise,” said Kneebone. “He had good sales all the way through and all the really good judges have bought them previously. I think he’s got another really nice line of horses this year. With the backing of Waikato Stud, I think he’s a good punt.”

Lot 210: Kingman (GB) x Marsden Cross (Ire) colt, NZ$650,000

The influx of Hong Kong investment continued when the Hong Kong Jockey Club made a late move to secure this six-figure youngster from Sir Peter Vela’s elite breeding operation at Pencarrow Stud.

The sole offering by Kingman (GB) in the catalogue, the colt is the first foal out of the mare, who remained a maiden after eight starts in Britain for Sir Mark Todd but boasts an eye-catching European pedigree.

Marsden Cross (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) is a sibling to the Listed-winning Many Colours (GB), who in turn is the dam of 1000 Guineas and Prix Rothschild heroine Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). Many Colours has also bred the Italian Group 2 winner Night Colours (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and the G3 Ballycorus S. scorer Ocean Jewel (Ire) (Sioux Nation {USA}).

“He was one of my main targets at this sale on type,” said Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA) agent Craig Rounsefell, who was on duty for the Hong Kong Jockey Club. “Obviously, Kingman’s a fast young stallion over in Europe and there’s no reason why he’s not going to do well in Hong Kong. This horse had a great temperament and he’s a rock-solid horse from a good farm.

“On type, he’s just a smashing horse I thought. We had a go at a few others earlier at lower prices that we missed out on but he was our top pick of the day, and one of our top picks of the sale.”

The Hong Kong Jockey Club also made six purchases at the recent Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for an outlay totalling $3,165,000. Rounsefell reported the Karaka buy would head into the same program before shipping to Hong Kong in due course.

“They’ll head to Limitless Lodge with Tim Boland to join the team,” he said. “We’ve got the crew going up there fairly soon, the 3-year-olds, for the sale in March and the 2-year-olds are all going well, so they will join our team from Magics and hopefully we’ll build on that over the next few days and next few months.

“There’s some different families and different stallions over here that we’re looking at, and across a whole range of budgets. We’ve got a good shortlist after vetting, so we’ll see how we go. It’s been a fairly strong sale today (Sunday), so it’s good to put that one on the board.”

Marsden Cross was bred by Lynch Bages and Clarecastle Farm and bought for Sir Peter by Hubie de Burgh at the 2019 Arqana August Yearling Sale, where she cost €130,000 (AU$214,700).

Lot 62: Justify (USA) x Fair Isle (NZ) filly, NZ$550,000

Justify (USA) fever has swept all corners of the globe after Coolmore’s US Triple Crown hero sired six Group/Grade 1 winners in 2023, including a breakthrough Breeders’ Cup double courtesy of Just F Y I (USA) in the Juvenile Fillies and Hard To Justify (USA) in the Juvenile Fillies Turf.

And in the last week it was confirmed that his hugely exciting son City Of Troy (USA) has topped the European 2-year-old classification with an official rating of 125, putting him 5lb clear of his nearest pursuer.

Chris Waller and his long-serving sales ring ally Guy Mulcaster got in on the act when they gave NZ$550,000 for the first of five lots by Justify in this year’s NZB Karaka Yearling Sale. The filly was offered by Pencarrow Stud and is out of Fair Isle (NZ), a winning daughter of Fastnet Rock who has bred four winners from as many runners. The best of those is this filly’s full sister Star Of Justice, winner of this season’s G3 Barneswood Farm S.

The Justify / Fastnet Rock cross has already supplied four stakes winners, three of which have come in Australia. The most notable among the trio is the Annabel Neasham-trained Learning To Fly, who carried the Coolmore silks to success in the G2 Reisling S., while Star Of Justice is joined by fellow Group 3 scorer Storm Boy.

The Waller-Mulcaster pairing also landed Lot 142, the NZ$500,000 Wootton Bassett (GB) colt out of Influencer (NZ) (Savabeel) from Haunui Farm, and Lot 16, the Farnan colt out of Diva Von Tessa (Testa Rossa) from Milan Park, at NZ$425,000.

Mulcaster expanded on the next steps his and Waller’s purchases will take, saying: “We’ll go through and identify what we’re going to do with them but most of them will have six months in New Zealand. We’ll get them broken in (race educated), give them a couple of breaks and a bit more pre-training and then they’ll go over to Sydney probably in September.”

Every day of the sale, TTR AusNZ will uncover a ‘value buy’ - an opportunity that has been snapped up. Brought to you by First Light Racing, where prioritising value is at the heart of the brand.

Lot 122 - Super Seth x Heartfelt (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ})

Buyer: Lindsay Park Racing

Vendor: Waikato Stud

Ben Hayes admitted the NZ$150,000 purchase of Lot 122 - a Super Seth colt from the Waikato Stud draft, was a ‘spec’ buy, but he’s adamant Lindsay Park won’t have any trouble getting him fully sold.

The colt is the seventh foal of the unraced O’Reilly (NZ) mare Heartfelt (NZ) and she herself is a half-sister to the nine-time winner and Group 3 scorer Residential (NZ) (Pins), as well as the stakes performer Colonel Custer (NZ) (Savabeel).

Hayes told The Thoroughbred Report Lindsay Park has been impressed by the Waikato Stud resident Super Seth, and they believe this colt is one of his best progeny at the sale.

“He’s a horse that when he paraded he had a really good body, very similar to Super Seth,” Hayes said.

“Luckily, we have (bloodstock agent) Dean Hawthorne with us and he bought Super Seth. He said the colt was one of the best Super Seths of the sale, he thought he really reminded him of him.

“We thought we got him for a great price.

“I just loved his body, he’s a great type and looks like an athlete.

“With a bit of training, I think he will turn out to be a beautiful horse.

“There’s some shares left in him, but I don’t think they will last long.”

Heartfelt has had four foals to race, with three being winners.

The colt’s grandam, Metropolitan (NZ) (Elusive City {USA}), chalked up three wins, including the Listed Canterbury Belle S. in 2008. She is a half-sister to the triple Listed victor Coup Liner (NZ) (Jetball).

“He’s a really nice, good-looking colt and he was well-priced,” Hayes commented.

“We've got a nice Super Seth at home; it’s going to race soon and we think it goes pretty well.

“We’re pretty happy with Super Seth.”