Racing: Premier Sale finishes strongly

Sir Patrick Hogan reflects on another success ful yearling sale. Photo / Sarah Ivey

The surge of strength on the second day of Karaka's Premier Sale turned the two-dayer into one of New Zealand Bloodstock's best result.

Perhaps the weakness of the dollar and strength of the New Zealand thoroughbred overseas in the past year made it inevitable.

This Premier Sale was not far behind the 2010 version and that was the second-best ever.

From the outset on Tuesday, the strength was obvious, with Melbourne trainer Mark Kavanagh striking early - buying two of the first eight lots for $540,000 and $700,000.

By the close of selling, total takings were $65,574,000 for 375 lots sold, agonisingly close to last year's $65,723,500. Remarkably, the median of $140,000 exceeds last year's figure.

The days's average of about $190,000 made the two-day average $174,864, down just 4 per cent on last year's $181,557. The clearance rate also strengthened to 79.45 per cent for the two days, just shy of last year's 80 per cent.

"We had no million-dollar lots this year, yet we are less than $150,000 away from last year's aggregate, and less than 4 per cent down on average, with our clearance rate holding up extremely well," said New Zealand Bloodstock co-managing director Petrea Vela.

The sale topper was Lot 466 - the colt by Red Ransom - which fetching $875,000 paid by leading New Zealand buyer, David Ellis.

The colt is the half-brother to the leading 3-year-old filly in New Zealand this season in King's Rose (by Redoute's Choice), trained by Jason Bridgman at Te Akau Racing.

"He is a terrific colt. He has an interesting pedigree and, given he performs on the track, would make a great stud prospect and would be a good match for New Zealand mares," said Ellis.

With 25 yearlings bought for $4,433,500, Ellis was the second leading buyer of the sale behind Connolly Bloodstock who bought 16 horses for $5,055,000.

Australian buyers had an enormous impact, represented by eight of the top 10 buyers, and accounting for a total spend of over $43 million.

Sir Patrick Hogan's Cambridge Stud held off a challenge from Windsor Park Stud for the top spot, ending the Premier Sale as the leading vendor by aggregate with 43 yearlings sold for $10,285,000 at an average of $239,186. Cambridge Stud is well on track to become the leading vendor at the National Yearling Sales Series for a remarkable 30th year in a row.

Windsor Park Stud was next with 43 yearlings sold for $8,970,000, at an average of $208,605.

New Zealand stalwart Zabeel headed the sires' tables with 27 entries sold at an average of $346,111, nearly double the sale average.