Racing: Myers leading vendor at Karaka's 2-day sale

Dan Myers sold Lot 217, a Holy Roman Emperor colt, for $175,000. Photo / Trish Dunell

Hawera farmer Dan Myers has usurped Curraghmore as the leading vendor at New Zealand Bloodstock's Weanling, Broodmare and Mixed Bloodstock Sale at Karaka.

Myers sold all but one of his weanlings on his way to attaining an aggregate of $862,700 over the two-day sale.

The highlight for Myers was the sale of Lot 217, a Holy Roman Emperor colt, to Andrew Williams for $175,000 late in the piece on day one.

"I was very surprised and flattered," Myers said.

"I don't draft judgement on what they are worth. We simply prepare them to the best of our ability and let the market dictate what their value is."

Myers was quick to heap praise on his team, particularly Kevin O'Hara who manages the weanling preparation. "Kevin is a very important part of the whole process. I couldn't do it by myself," he said.

Myers changed tack with his business model two years ago, deciding to sell his stock as weanlings.

"The yearling sales weren't working well enough for us. We had to make the decision of either staying in the industry and not be as successful to the level we wanted to be successful, or look at alternatives," he said.

Dan Myers. Photo / Trish Dunell

Buoyed by the success of the sale, Myers quickly added to his broodmare band when he went to $44,000 to secure the maiden Tavistock mare Ana on day two of the sale.

"I thought she had an interesting enough pedigree, by an up-and-coming sire, she was successful on the track and in my eye is a very good specimen," he said.

After the sale Myers' thoughts were quick to head back to his farm in Taranaki. "I'll reflect on the sale on my five-hour drive home tonight, along with the mob of stock I've got to shift tomorrow."

- NZ Racing Desk