By MIKE DILLON
Rob McAnulty topped the Karaka sale when he gave $1 million for a brother to outstanding mare Champagne, but was relieved that it was going to be short-lived.
"There is no profit in being the biggest buyer at the sale," said McAnulty, aware the Zabeel-Marquise was only a few lots away from topping the millon dollar mark.
Four years ago McAnulty did top the sale when he bought eventual high class galloper and now sire Danske.
McAnulty says he has put together a syndicate of his best clients to race the Zabeel colt.
"There is one from the UK, Hong Kong, the Emirates and a couple from here and Australia.
"He will be trained here to race at two and probably go to Australia at three. Chris McNab will almost certainly get him to train here and I'll probably send him to Gerald Ryan to be trained in Sydney.
"I haven't spoken to Gerald Ryan about him, in fact I don't even have his phone number, but he's a very good trainer."
McAnulty hid himself from his rival bidders on the colt.
"I knew Rogey (Graeme Rogerson) and Gai (Waterhouse) were up top so I made sure they coudn't see me."
It was one of only three purchases McAnulty made. Earlier he had gone to $220,000 for a King's Theatre colt and $100,000 for a Woodman filly.
"I had $1.1 million to spend the first day and missed out each time. I went home with that money, which will now be going to the Sydney Easter sales."
It was the highest price McAnulty had paid at auction in New Zealabnd, although he outlaid $A900,000 for a Sunday Silence filly at the Gold Coast Magic Millions sale last month.
McAnulty is hoping for the same luck he has had in previous purchases from Cambridge Stud.
"I've bought three group one-winning colts, Mouawad, Hulastrike and Danske off Patrick."
McAnulty and Sir Patrick feel the colt will show more precocious speed than most Zabeels.
"It wouldn't surprise me to see him a Sires Produce horse at two then line up in the Guineas races at three," said Sir Patrick.
The aggregate for the three-day premier sale was $48 million for 389 lots sold, compared to $55 million for 431 sold last year.
The average price was $124,000 against last year's $128,000. The clearance rate was 82 per cent.
Racing; Low key role preferred
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