Cover image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

At A Glance

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The aggregate after two days is NZ$58,903,500, which is far superior to the same time last year (NZ$46,425,000) and 2022 (NZ$$41,142,500).

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The average dipped from NZ$195,704 on Day 1, but finished up at a healthy NZ$176,893, which is greater than 2023 (NZ$154,236) and 2022 (NZ$146,415).

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The median also dipped from Sunday, going from NZ$150,000 to NZ$140,000. This year’s Day 2 figure is up on last year (NZ$135,000) and 2022 (NZ$100,000).

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So far, 430 lots have been offered, with 331 selling at a clearance rate of 77 per cent. That is marginally up on 2023 (76 per cent) and 2022 (74 per cent).

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The top-seller on Day 2 was Lot 360 - a Snitzel colt from the Ocean Park mare Rondinella. Offered by Haunui Farm, he was secured by David Ellis for NZ$825,000. Haunui also had the most expensive filly, with Lot 442 making NZ$650,000. She was bought by Sheamus Mills of Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA).

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Leading the way in terms of vendors by aggregate is Waikato Stud, who have sold 39 yearlings for a combined NZ$6,645,000.

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Hallmark Stud is currently sitting atop the vendor table by average, with six yearlings sold at an average price of NZ$406,700.

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Savabeel is the leading sire by aggregate, with 32 lots sold for a total of NZ$8,615,000.

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Snitzel heads the sires’ list by average. He has had three yearlings average NZ$475,000.

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As has become customary at Book 1 of Karaka, Te Akau’s David Ellis had spent the most, having bought 23 yearlings, including two with Fortuna Racing and one with TAB Racing Club.

#1. A red-letter day for Haunui Farm

Day 2 of the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale will long live in the memory of Mark Chitty and his team at Haunui Farm, after the Karaka-based stud consigned both the top-selling colt and filly.

A jubilant Chitty told The Thoroughbred Report the results are hugely satisfying.

“It was a good day at the office, and not bad for a country boy!” he enthused.

“It all started in the winter of 2021 when people make the decisions to mate the mares to the stallions.

“It’s great for the team. I said to them before the sale, ‘Listen, the market is the market, it doesn’t take away from your time and effort. There will always be disappointments and surprises’. Today was one of those very thrilling days.”

Lot 360 - a colt by Snitzel from the classy Ocean Park (NZ) mare Rondinella (NZ) - a four-time winner and Group 1 placegetter - fetched NZ$825,000. He was bought by David Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ).

The colt is closely related to the stakes winners Catalonia (NZ) (Commands), Celebrity Dream (NZ) (Thorn Park) and Vavasour (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice). His grandam is the Group 3 victress Valpolicella (NZ) (Red Ransom {USA}).

“He is from a family that extends back to a mare that my grandfather bought in the early '50s,” Chitty said.

“He’s by a champion sire, it’s the dam’s first foal.

“Rondinella was very good to us on the track and she has rewarded us with a stunning colt.

“For him to go to Te Akau, great supporters of the farm and of the industry, we’re absolutely delighted.”

Later in the day, the Haunui Farm-consigned Lot 442 realised NZ$650,000. The Savabeel filly, who was bought by Sheamus Mills of Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA), is out of Stolen Gem (NZ) (Snitzel), who was a winner at two and has thrown the stakes performer To Catch A Thief (U S Navy Flag {USA}).

“She is a filly that just kept getting better every month,” Chitty commented.

“She was bought by a super judge in Sheamus Mills and there was some other good judges on her.

“Savabeel is such a champion sire.”

#2. Hello Youmzain makes strong early impression

Cambridge Stud shuttle stallion Hello Youmzain (Fr) is one of 21 first-crop sires with progeny at the sale, and the dual Group 1 hero’s yearlings are proving popular.

On Day 1, Hello Youmzain had 10 yearlings gross NZ$1.65 million at an average of NZ$165,000.

Then, on Monday, 13 yearlings by Hello Youmzain grossed NZ$2,395,000 at an average of NZ$184,231.

The stallion’s top-seller on Day 2 was Lot 438 - a colt consigned by Cambridge Stud. He is from the winning Pivotal (GB) mare Steer By The Stars (Ire) and was bought by Chris Waller / Mulcaster Bloodstock for NZ$425,000.

Marc Devcich, general manager at Cambridge Stud, told The Thoroughbred Report Hello Youmzain’s results have been very pleasing.

“We’re delighted with the way his progeny have sold. There’s been a great following for him at the sale here,” Devcich said.

“They’re such mature horses, they’ve got great muscle and they really look good in the ring.

“We’re rapt with the way things are going for him.

“Some of the greatest judges in the industry are buying them, so that tells you what they think of him.”

Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis is a big fan of Hello Youmzain. He has bought two fillies by the son of Kodiac (GB) with the possibility of more to come.

Ellis paid NZ$240,000 for Lot 47 - a filly offered by Haunui Farm from Equestrienne (NZ) (Lonhro), before going to NZ$300,000 for Lot 87 - a filly consigned by Pencarrow Stud out of the three-time winner Flourishing (NZ) (Makfi {GB}).

“He’s a hell of a chance at stud, he’s leaving some real athletes, and he stands at a stud that really knows how to look after their stallions; they send the right mares to the right stallion and they promote them really well,” Ellis said.

“I’m predicting Hello Youmzain will be a very good stallion in New Zealand.”

Hello Youmzain had three yearlings sell for an aggregate of $585,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale earlier this month at an average of $195,000.

#3. Metrics drop, but results still excellent

After bursting out of the gates on Day 1, the market slowed somewhat on Monday, however, the overall numbers remain extremely good.

The gross sits at NZ$58,903,500, which is more than NZ$12 million up on last year.

The average, clearance rate and median are all superior to this time 12 months ago.

New Zealand Bloodstock Managing Director Andrew Seabrook was pleased with the results on Day 2.

“It was a strong, solid day of trade and the New Zealand pinhookers came out to play,” he said.

“It was great to see so many markets active, but the key buyers today (Monday) were the Hong Kong Jockey Club.”

#4. ‘Jimmy Hendrix’s brother couldn’t play the guitar’

It was hardly a surprise to see Go Racing co-sign as the buyer for Lot 295 - the Dundeel (NZ) half-sister to Saturday’s R. Listed Karaka Millions 2YO victress Velocious (Written Tycoon), although, as Albert Bosma, racing manager for the prominent syndication company, quipped, Jimmy Hendrix’s brother couldn’t play the guitar.

Bosma meant that Go Racing doesn’t buy siblings of horses they have had success with, just because they are a relative.

“We’re really happy to get her. We don’t buy horses simply because they’re related to good ones we have. The saying is, ‘Jimmy Hendrix’s brother couldn’t play the guitar’,” Bosma said.

“It wasn’t an emotional buy, she was on our shortlist.”

The filly, who was offered by Inglewood Stud, fetched $300,000, and Go Racing bought her alongside Blandford Bloodstock.

Lot 295 is the fourth foal of the winning Snitzel mare Parmalove and she herself is a half-sister to the stakes winners Liesele (Exceed And Excel) and Loved Up (Nicconi).

Bosma believes the filly will go early.

“She’s a lovely filly, she’s a great-moving filly, was great on the x-rays, Dundeel’s doing an amazing job, particularly with his 2-year-olds, and she looks like she may well make a 2-year-old,” Bosma remarked.

Bosma said the filly has some similarities with her high-profile half-sister.

“The two stallions (Written Tycoon and Dundeel) have stamped both fillies; Velocious looks like a Written Tycoon filly, and this filly looks like a Dundeel,” he said.

“What they both share is a great walk, a good depth of girth, and really the way they move and use themselves is the same.”

Bosma revealed the filly will stay in New Zealand and be trained by the same conditioner as Velocious, Stephen Marsh.

Velocious was consigned by Inglewood Stud at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1). Go Racing bought her for NZ$190,000.

#5. Hong Kong-based buyers make presence felt

After Hong Kong shoppers spent NZ$3,655,000 on 14 yearlings at an average of NZ$261,100 on Day 1, they upped the ante on Monday, buying 17 horses for a total spend of NZ$3,915,000 at an average of NZ$230,300 on Monday.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), via Craig Rounsefell of Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA), signed for seven yearlings on Day 2, spending NZ$2,050,000 at an average of NZ$292,900.

“I’m buying at all levels for the Jockey Club. We’re just looking at types that are going to suit our program, that are going to get better with age,” Rounsefell explained.

“A lot of buyers in the market at the moment want horses that are going to go earlier. We’re looking for a different style of horse, a horse that’s going to be durable, sound and like the conditions in Hong Kong.”

The HKJC’s most expensive purchase on Monday was Lot 409 - a Savabeel colt offered by Waikato Stud, which realised NZ$620,000. They also bought yearlings by Per Incanto (USA), Proisir, Wootton Bassett (GB) and Capitalist.

Other Hong Kong-based buyers to be active on Day 2 were Jamie Richards/Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA), Ricky Yiu, John Foote of John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA), Tartan Meadow Bloodstock, Upper Bloodstock, Enigma Farm and Karson Choi.

#6. Another pinhook success for Riversley Park

Riversley Park’s Sam Beatson has developed a reputation as one of the best pinhookers in the business, and on Monday, the New Zealand horseman turned another significant profit.

At the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling and Broodmare Sale, Riversley Park paid Brighthill Farm NZ$150,000 for Lot 144 - a Per Incanto colt from She’s Apples (Ire) (Redoute’s Choice).

That investment proved genius, with Riversley Park selling the colt as Lot 397 to Jamie Richards and Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) for NZ$500,000 to the bid on Day 2 of the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.

Gallery: Lot 397 - Per Incanto (USA) x She's Apples (Ire) (colt), images courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

At last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, Lot 289 - a gelding by All Too Hard - made NZ$800,000, with Yeung Kin Man buying him from the Riversley Park consignment. The gelding was a pinhook for Riversley Park and Michael Guerin, who bought him from the Baramul Stud draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $100,000.

The great Golden Sixty (Medaglia D’oro {USA}) was bought by Riversley Park/Enigma Farm for $120,000 from the Element Hill draft at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He was later sold by Riversley Park to Ricky Yiu for NZ$300,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale.

Top buyers

Vendors by aggregate

Vendors by average

Sires by aggregate

Sires by average

Cover image courtesy of Trish Dunell

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Waikato Stud - Karaka Day 2

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Lot 360 - Snitzel x Rodinella (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), colt, NZ$825,000

The day’s most expensive offering was knocked down to arguably the busiest man on the sales ground, David Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ), who gave NZ$825,000 for Lot 360.

Haunui Farm’s well-related Snitzel colt is the first foal out of Rondinella (NZ), a daughter of Ocean Park (NZ) who won four races and reached the podium in three Group 1 contests, including when runner-up to Selino in the Sydney Cup.

Although the dam improved with time and distance, Ellis was already dreaming about next year’s Karaka Million and beyond.

“We’re absolutely over the moon to be able to take a Snitzel colt of that quality home,” he said. “We thought he was one of the best colts that we’ve seen at Karaka in five or six years. The Karaka Million here we come! We’ve trained a lot out of the family and they’re 2-year-olds. That’s what appealed to us. He’s got beautiful size and balance and looks like he’s got a good temperament.”

Gesturing to his catalogue notes, Ellis continued: “You can see in my book, ‘real 2-year-old type, Karaka Million winner’. There was a lot of competition on him, but there is on all these really good colts. Snitzel is one of the best sires we’ve had in this part of the world in the last 50 years. He’s that good. To buy a colt with his quality, that’s the sort of money that you have to pay. We bought one on the Gold Coast for $1.3 million.”

The buyer also drew favourable comparisons between the colt and a former Te Akau colour bearer from the same sireline who won no less than five Group 1s.

“He’s like a horse called Darci Brahma,” said Ellis. “He was the Champion 2-Year-Old, Champion 3-Year-Old and Champion 4-Year-Old. He won a Group 1 in Australia at two (the TJ Smith S.). After the Karaka Million, I could just see us turning this colt out for a week and then getting him ready for the Golden Slipper. He’ll be in a standalone syndicate and I’m sure there’ll be a lot of breeders that’ll want to be in because he has a future at stud, this colt.”

The Snitzel colt was one of 23 purchases made by Ellis during the first two sessions, a haul that also included Lot 358, a well-related Savabeel colt from Cambridge Stud who was bought for NZ$300,000 in conjunction with the TAB Racing Club.

“We’re thrilled because we’ve also just bought a nice Savabeel colt for the TAB Racing Club,” said Ellis. “That was a big thrill for us because it’s the first time that they’ve asked us to buy a horse. It’s great to see the effort they’re putting in and promoting racing in this country. For somebody that’s been working in this industry for a lifetime, it’s such a thrill to see it being run by an organisation that is putting so much back into it.”

Lot 442 - Savabeel x Stolen Gem (Snitzel), filly, NZ$650,000

Agent Sheamus Mills made a couple of ultimately fruitless plays at the head of the market on Day 1, having been among the underbidders on Lot 21, the NZ$1.6 million Proisir filly bought by Peter Moody, and the NZ$900,000 Satono Aladdin (Jpn) full sister to Japanese Emperor who went the way of Chris Waller and Guy Mulcaster.

However, Mills atoned for those reversals when successfully bidding NZ$650,000 for Lot 442, a daughter of Savabeel and Stolen Gem (Snitzel) from Haunui Farm. The youngster is a half-sister to To Catch A Thief (U S Navy Flag {USA}) who has reached the frame in Group 1 company when third in both the Manawatu Sires' Produce S. and the New Zealand 2000 Guineas.

The agent said he had already enjoyed success with the progeny of Savabeel, despite only limited involvement.

“She’s a real sharp Savabeel,” said Mills. “He’s one of those stallions that can get you a sharp 2-year-old or a Guineas horse. I’ve only ever bought one Savabeel before, which was You’re So Good, who ran second in an Australian Guineas for us. I just haven’t seen one that I really liked since then, until this filly. It’s been a few years between drinks but I’m happy to have another.”

Mills said his purchase would be trained in Australia by Mick Price but that a return trip for the Karaka Million was very much the ambition.

“We were underbidder on the top two yesterday, which was a little painful, I’ve got to say,” he continued. “Those two, plus this filly, were the three that I identified as ones that would suit our job, which is to race and then to breed. She’s a different style of horse to those two yesterday, who are probably going to get out over a mile at least.

“This filly will, hopefully, be back here for the Karaka Millions next year. When you look at the brother and her physical make up, I think that’s the style of horse she is. There’s obviously a heap of buzz around the New Zealand industry at the moment and we were pretty keen to get involved in all that hype.

“She’ll go to Mick Price, who’s pretty adept with 2-year-olds, and we’ll put a circle around the Karaka Millions date. With most we’d try to head towards a Blue Diamond Prelude but we’d love to bring her back and get involved in the day next year.”

Lot 409 - Savabeel x Simply You (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}), colt, NZ$620,000

The Hong Kong Jockey Club continued its talent search for the 2026 International Sale with seven more purchases, the priciest of which was the Savabeel colt out of the O’Reilly (NZ) mare Simply You (NZ) from Waikato Stud. The dam has bred two winners, most notably this colt’s full brother Forgot You (NZ), whose two Group 2 successes came in the Bill Stutt S. and the Moonee Valley Vase.

“We bought this Savabeel colt for the Hong Kong Jockey Club, so he’ll join our team and head to the International Sale in a couple of years’ time,” said Craig Rounsefell. “He was one of our main targets after inspections. Just on physical, he was top of the pops for us. In terms of pedigree, it’s a beautiful cross that’s already proven and a great family. And the farm is the best-producing farm in New Zealand, so there weren’t many negatives there at all.

“I think he’s a horse that’s going to improve with time, which is what we’re looking for – those horses that continue to get better with age. He looks very clean-limbed and vetted very clean as well, so he looks sound and hopefully he does well for the trainer he ends up with in Hong Kong.”

Waikato Stud’s kingpin stallion Savabeel has eight New Zealand Champion Sire crowns to his name and 32 top-flight winners on his record. He also claimed the leading sire title in Hong Kong for the 2018/19 season.

“He’s had a few good horses in Hong Kong,” added Rounsefell. “We’ve got a good one up there right now, M Unicorn, who we bought out of this sale and has won four this season. But at the end of the day, he’s a champion stallion, and this horse looks spot on for what we’re looking to buy. He was one of our targets. We got our colt last night (Lot 210, NZ$650,000 Kingman colt) and we’ve had some really great value purchases today that have made up our crew, but this guy was one of our main ones on the hit list.”

Lot 479 - Savabeel x Thee Auld Floozie (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), filly, NZ$620,000

The NZ$620,000 mark was reached for a second time later in the session when Bruce Perry Bloodstock (BAFNZ) secured the daughter of Savabeel and G1 Thorndon Mile heroine Thee Auld Floozie (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}).

Perry was acting on behalf of Lib and Katrina Petagna, who were reinvesting after a productive two days selling through their Elsdon Park. The 10 lots sold by Elsdon Park are capped by the NZ$750,000 Zoustar colt bought by Jamie Richards and Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) on Day 1.

“Lib’s had a great sale and one of the things that’s been noticeable is the comments on the fact he’s got a lot of lovely young mares,” said Perry. “It’s nice to be able to go back and keep purchasing some nice fillies.

“She reminded me of the best Savabeel fillies. We loved Orchestral (Karaka Millions 3YO winner) and had a big crack at her, and we also liked the half-sister to this filly that ran in the 3-year-old race (Just A Floozie, fourth in the G3 Almanzor Trophy).”

The six-figure filly was offered by James Chapman’s Jamieson Park, and Perry revealed he had already offered the breeder the hammer price for the youngster whilst out in the paddocks at the Mangatawhiri farm.

“I know the family well as I see quite a bit of James’s horses in the paddock throughout the year,” said Perry. “When I was walking around I actually asked him if he'd take NZ$600,000 for this filly! He just reminded me of that. I thought she was a beauty and she has a lot of residual value. There’s a lot of upside. She’ll go back to the farm and get broken in and we’ll see how she goes. What’s happening in the industry here is a big carrot to retain more horses in New Zealand. That gives you the confidence to get these nice horses.”

Lot 480 - Proisir x The Fairy’s Kiss (Elusive Quality {USA}), filly, NZ$600,000

The very last lot into the ring fetched the day’s fifth-highest price when Michael Wallace, agent for Kuldeep Singh Rajput’s Gandharvi Racing, secured the Proisir filly out of The Fairy’s Kiss (Elusive Quality {USA}) at NZ$600,000. The youngster was consigned by Kilgravin Lodge on behalf of Ancroft Stud.

Connections already know plenty about the family as Gandharvi, Wallace’s Telluride Agency and the agent’s brother, David, own the filly’s half-sister Ulanova (NZ), who is trained by Sam and Anthony Freedman. The daughter of Santos carries a Group 1 victory besides her name having been promoted to first in the Sistema S. after Tokyo Tycoon’s (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) disqualification.

“When I opened the book a couple of months ago and I saw this page, I thought I hope she looks how I want her to look when I get there,” said Wallace. “As soon as I laid eyes on her I was pretty sure that she’d be coming home with us.

“I got a little worried when I started seeing how much some of these fillies were making around the place, but she’s been purchased for Gandharvi Racing, who race Ulanova and subsequently purchased her mother also. She’s got a Proisir filly foal at foot so we’re trying to cultivate the family.”

Wallace said plans remain fluid for the youngster, adding: “She’ll pop down to Lyndhurst and we’ll keep her there for four or five weeks. We haven’t picked a trainer for her yet so that will probably be determined in the next hour or two when the phone rings. I’m sure there’ll be some text messages when I pull the phone out of my pocket!”

Lot 397 - Per Incanto (USA) x She’s Apples (Ire) (Redoute's Choice), colt, NZ$500,000

The Jamie Richards and Andrew Williams axis was back in action on Monday with three further purchases added to the two lots secured on Day 1. The most expensive of the trio was Riversley Park’s Per Incanto (USA) colt out of She’s Apples (Ire) who fetched NZ$500,000.

The colt is the second foal out of the Irish-bred daughter of Redoute’s Choice, who in turn is out of a half-sister to Champion Sprinter turned Hong Kong Champion Sire Tavistock (NZ).

“Per Incanto is a wonderful stallion up in Hong Kong,” said Richards. “He’s a wonderful stallion everywhere, really. He does a good job in Australia – Blue Diamond winners – and does a good job here. He had another winner there on Karaka Millions night (Belclare in the G2 Westbury Classic).

“If you can find the right type, by the right sire, it’s a big help. He’s out of a Redoute’s mare. I’ve had a bit to do with that family. I trained a horse called Kabugee, a son of Satono Aladdin, when I was at Te Akau. It’s a good old family of the Duchess of Bedford’s so I’m thrilled to get him.”

On plans for Lot 397, Richards added: “He’s already owned up there in Hong Kong. We’ll just get him home and get him educated. We’ll just see how things progress – whether he goes up as a PPG or whether he races here, I’m not sure. But he’s a horse that’ll appreciate a bit of time and should be a very nice horse up there as a three-, four- and 5-year-old.”

Top lots (overall)

Cover image courtesy of Trish Dunell

The North Waikato farm presented the full sister to champion middle-distance runner Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) as Lot 21 during the opening session of the New Zealand Bloodstock (NZB) Karaka Yearling Sale, and duly saw the blue-blooded youngster bring a final bid of NZ$1,600,000 from Peter Moody.

When asked how the team toasted the record transaction, Baker said: “It was very short and very sharp because we’re just that busy with other horses to sell today and tomorrow. If it’d been the last day of the sale I mightn’t be conscious now! We’ll certainly celebrate after the sale is over though. It still hasn’t sunk in yet, although it’s starting to, but not properly because you just don’t expect it.

“My parents started back in the '70s and always worked very hard. It’s a real family operation and we’ve got a wonderful team of staff too. Charlotte (Hook) has been with us for 30 years. Results like yesterday are a massive kick. It’s why we get out of bed in the morning. We’ve just got to pray that she runs now. I truly hope she runs for her new owner because I can tell you, the thrill when they win a Group 1 is even bigger than yesterday.”

Baker said he knew they had a high-quality filly on their hands but stressed that he had done his utmost to keep his expectations in check. “A couple of times seven figures jumped into my head during the week and I gave myself an uppercut straight away,” he said.

“If you go the early crow in this game, it always bites you on the butt, so we didn’t dare dream of it. During the bidding it crossed my mind ‘Am I dreaming this?’ because it’s just so surreal. To be honest, from a million on is a bit of a blur. It was great to watch the replay.”

Several industry stakeholders have remarked that vendors’ willingness to meet the market has made a significant contribution to the vibrant trade witnessed at Karaka. There is surely no better example than the record-busting filly, as Baker revealed that, despite her blue-chip credentials, she headed into the sales ring with a reserve that was only a fraction of her eventual market value.

“We made it clear all week and told everyone that her reserve is NZ$300,000, and we’ve set it there so you can all get in and have a good go at her,” he said. “Everyone knew where they stood. We knew there were plenty of the big players that you need on her, but you still never go the early crow and think she might make seven figures. It was quite incredible.

“We’re just very grateful to all the underbidders, Guy Mulcaster and Sheamus Mills, and then obviously Peter Moody that bought her in the end. We’re grateful to all our staff too and NZB, who have done a great job assembling such a great buying bench.”

Prowess herself headed through the NZB Karaka Yearling Sale back in 2021 before she went on to take out two Group 1s, namely the Bonecrusher New Zealand S. and the Vinery Stud S. It can only be a good omen, then, that Baker was among those to suggest the yearling full sister was a nicer model than Prowess.

“You might think it’s a studmaster saying it, but we rated her, in our eyes, as possibly a better type than the sister,” he said. “Prowess was a beautiful filly too. For her to make NZ$230,000, with her page at a time when Proisir hadn’t kicked off, was a commentary on how good she was. But this filly was every bit as good and possibly better. She’s just a wonderful mover.”

Baker also heaped praise on Rich Hill Stud’s Champion Sire Proisir. The son of Choisir ran second to Dundeel (NZ) in both the Spring Champion S. and the Randwick Guineas before retiring to John Thompson’s operation, where he was introduced at a fee of just NZ$7000 (plus GST). He soon showed himself to be that rare commodity, a stallion capable of consistently upgrading his mares, as he has sired six Group 1 winners and counting. He covered a full book at an upgraded fee of NZ$70,000 (plus GST) in 2023.

“He’s at a top farm in Rich Hill, they’re fantastic with their stallions and no one rows the boat better than Rich Hill,” said Baker. “We’ve always taken shares in Thommo’s horses. Proisir is a great-looking horse and raced in the best company, a really top performer. If he hadn’t run into Dundeel he’d have never come to New Zealand.

“That’s why we took a share in him, which we took right off the bat. He’s got incredible stats and you’ve got to remember, with no disrespect to the mares he’s served, but a lot of are middle down because he started at NZ$7000. When a stallion is doing that, he’s the real deal.”

Excitingly for the Hallmark team, there are a couple more siblings to Prowess and her seven-figure full sister in the pipeline as the dam, Donna Marie (NZ) (Don Eduardo {NZ}), has returned to Proisir for the past two seasons.

“The mare has another full sister at foot, she’s another very good filly, which we’ve got to consider keeping,” said Baker. “We haven’t made that decision yet though; she may sell, or we may keep her. The mare’s back in foal to Proisir too. In spite of price, it’s all about retaining a filly somewhere. Whether she made NZ$1600 or NZ$1.6 million, at some stage we’ll have to keep a filly.”

Baker also noted the positive vibes on the sales ground weren’t confined to his own draft, with a perfect storm of fresh investment and an upgraded stallion roster supplying a bright forecast for the New Zealand racing and breeding industry.

“We’ve never been so busy leading up to a sale,” he said. “We had 60 parades on a Tuesday, which is just unheard of. New Zealand Bloodstock have done a fantastic job assembling such a good buying bench, although it does help that our stallion power has got so good at the moment. There’s so many things happening here domestically at the moment and it’s really about to take off. We needed it 25 years ago, but it’s here now anyway.”

Lot 385 - Wootton Bassett (GB) x Semillion (Ire) (Australia {GB}), colt, NZ$240,000

Buyer: The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Vendor: Cambridge Stud

Wootton Bassett (GB) has created a huge impression in both hemispheres. He has sired nine individual Group 1 winners throughout Europe and America, while in Australasia, his progeny have sold for up to $2.1 million.

Not surprisingly, the Coolmore shuttler has again been popular at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1), and on Monday, The Hong Kong Jockey Club via Craig Rounsefell of Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA), got in on the act, securing a colt by the exciting son of Iffraaj (GB).

The HKJC paid NZ$240,000 for Lot 385, a colt bred by Brendan and Jo Lindsay.

“We were delighted with the purchase of Lot 385 for The Hong Kong Jockey Club,” Rounsefell told The Thoroughbred Report.

“He was raised on the famed Cambridge Stud and is from the first Southern Hemisphere crop of rags to riches European sire Wootton Bassett.

“He is a very athletic, classy colt with clean limbs and beautiful movement.”

The colt is the first foal of the unraced Australia (GB) mare Semillon (Ire). She is a half-sister to the Listed winner Baahama (Ire) (Anabaa {USA}) and the stakes performer Opposite (Itre) (Dansili {GB}). Baahama has thrown the stakes scorers Akihiro (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who raced in Hong Kong as Stimulation, and Bartaba (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).

His page also includes the stakes winners Silver Rain (Fr) (Rainbow Quest {USA}), Silver Fun (Fr) (Saumarez {GB}) and Little Wassl (GB) (Wassl {GB}), among others.

“He’s out of a solid Wertheimer family and on a cross that has already produced two Group 1 winners,” Rounsefell added.

“He will develop into an ideal horse for Hong Kong and will join the team at Limitless Lodge to be educated ahead of going to Hong Kong for the International Sale in 2026.”