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Average and medium show increases after one day of selling during Karaka 2021 - Book 2

Book 2 of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka 2021 sale got off to a strong start on Wednesday with gains shown in both the average and median. 

A total of 96 horses were sold for NZ$4,151,000, with the average of NZ$42,240 up 23.5 per cent from the 2020 sale average. The median of NZ$30,000 was up 20 per cent from the NZ$25,000 that was achieved at the sale a year ago. Seven lots sold for NZ$100,000 or more. 

New Zealand Bloodstock sales manager Danny Rolston was obviously pleased with the first day of the sale. 

“Given the reduction of buyers physically on the ground, the atmosphere has still been incredible and both buyers and vendors have been very positive,” he said. 

“I think the local trainers were very strong and international buyers were also active online, with participation from Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and even Japan.

“We also saw some great New Zealand-based stallions selling well and we are looking forward to that motion continuing into tomorrow,” Rolston added.

The leading vendor on day one of Book 2, by both average and aggregate, was Highline Thoroughbreds who sold four of the five lots they offered for NZ$490,000 at an average of NZ$122,500. 

The most expensive of those lots was the Proisir (Choisir) colt who was bought by Kaipira Lodge for NZ$180,000 (Lot 713). The colt will start his career off in Australia before hopefully heading to Hong Kong. 

They also sold a Per Incanto (Street Cry) colt for NZ$155,000 (Lot 664). 

Cam Heron of Highline Thoroughbreds was extremely pleased with the day. 

“It’s a big day for us,” Heron said. “It is not an easy game to be in and we are chipping away and trying to build a reputation around our business.

“We are proud of the job that we do in preparing these yearlings, so it’s justification for all the hard work that we put in.

“Eva and I started Highline and our first horse went through the ring seven or eight years ago, but this is our sixth sale,” he said.

“We put one through and gradually built up until this year, where we have 11. Four Book 1 fillies, and seven Book 2 colts and fillies.”

The LA Stud-based Per Incanto finished the day as the leading sire by average with five lots selling at an average of NZ$88,400. 

Robin Tai bought Lot 664 and said he was initially attracted to the colt given his sires record in Hong Kong. Per Incanto has sired 22 winners from 28 runners in the jurisdiction including the stakes performers Morethanlucky and Time To Celebrate. 

“The Per Incantos go very well in Hong Kong. He is one of the leading sires there and gets a lot of winners,” Tai said. 

“I didn’t see him until I got here to the grounds and he is a lovely colt. He was on our short list quite quickly, especially after I sent a video to my father.

“We bought him for a client who lives in Singapore.”

Rich Hill Stud’s Proisir also had a good day with six yearlings having sold for an average of NZ$72,417. 

Cambridge trainer Alex Oliveira bought Lot 713, the most expensive Prosir to sell on Wednesday, and said he liked the sire. 

“I am a big fan of Proisir’s. I have had a few,” he said.

“I first saw him up here a couple of days ago. He is a precocious, strong, correct colt, and has a lovely walk on him.

“He was one of my top lots of the day.”

Phill Catalado Bloodstock signed for six lots, two of those in partnership, for a total spend of NZ$232,000 while Paul Moroney Bloodstock / Ballymore Stables signed for three yearlings spending NZ$172,500. 

The second and final day of Book 2 will be held on Thursday.