Monday, 8 February 2010: Spirited bidding continued at Karaka on Sunday with key indicators up on last year's Festival Sale including a new record price.
The record was paid for an Elusive City colt that fetched the highest price at the Karaka Festival Sale at $90,000.
The colt is from the Star Way mare Strawberry Affair and was a successful pin hook by John Hay, who purchased him at the National Weanling Broodmare and Mixed Bloodstock Sale last May for just $12,000 and sold him under his Tamika Lodge banner.
His Auckland-based purchaser, David Cole, commented: "He's a rangy type of Elusive City with a lot of scope and a lovely shoulder and top line.
"He'll make a great late two-year-old/early three-year-old and will be trained by Wexford Stable's Andrew Scott in Matamata."
Heading the sire by average list, Elusive City offspring proved hot property with seven selling for an average of $37,571.
The son of Elusive Quality stands at Haunui Farm, the leading vendor on the day selling 10 lots for total receipts of $325,500.
Following on from their great results in the Select Sale, Mark and Denny Baker's Hallmark Stud again hold top spot as the leading vendors by average at $34,167.
Hong Kong agent Justin Bahen has been prominent at Karaka throughout the week and purchased another five lots to add to his seven Select and two Premier sale purchases.
With one day of selling left, the Festival Sale statistics currently sit on an average of $16,154, up 35% from $11,997 last year with a $1000 increase in the median at $11,000. Over the day 169 yearlings have traded hands for $2,730,050 with 260 lots left to sell on the final day.
