David Ellis Leading Buyer Day 1 Karaka

New Zealand Bloodstock reports:

Some of the bloodstock industry's biggest names descended on New Zealand Bloodstock's Karaka Sales Centre today.

The international buying bench provided the bulk of the investment in today's Premier offering, accounting for 69 per cent of the day's spend ($20,817,500) and highlighting the high esteem the New Zealand product is held in on the world stage.

In total $30.3 million was traded for 169 Lots, up eight per cent on last year's day one aggregate with the clearance rate currently sitting level with last year's at 76 per cent. The average currently sits at $179,083, ahead of last year's final figure of $176,226, with the median at $135,000 (2016 $150,000).

New Zealand Bloodstock Managing Director Andrew Seabrook is pleased with the results heading into the second half of the catalogue tomorrow.

“It's been a good start to the Sale with the most thrilling aspect to me being the positive feedback from a highly regarded and astute buying bench,” Seabrook said.

The Rutherford family's Beltana Stud was rewarded handsomely, having brought north from their North Canterbury base a full-brother to their home-bred success story Shamexpress. From the last crop of champion sire O'Reilly the colt provided the price highlight for the day early in proceedings.

Fetching $825,000 at Lot 10, he will be raced by a consortium including the China Horse Club, Newgate Farm and Alan Bell Racing. China Horse Club racing and bloodstock manager Michael Wallace commented on behalf of the group.  David Ellis was the underbidder.

“He's a colt of exceptional quality with great core strength and balance,” Wallace said. “We felt he was a rare type of colt that we haven't seen on offer here for a while. Alan [Bell] shared the same views, so a partnership was formed to take a shot at him.”

Beltana's Richard Rutherford was buoyed by the result after a tough time as a result of the severe earthquakes to hit the region, causing significant damage to houses, stables and infrastructure on the farm.

“It was an all-round sensation and a huge relief after a difficult start to the year,” he said. “He's been a lovely horse all the way through and we're thrilled that such a great group of people have bought him.”

Pencarrow Stud is the current leading vendor by average at $363,333 with three Lots sold, while Curraghmore holds second spot with 11 sold for an average of $281,364.

More than holding his own in the buyer ranks against the international super-powers was Te Akau Racing supremo David Ellis. Fresh off the back of Melody Belle's Karaka Million success for his team and Fortuna Racing at Ellerslie yesterday, he secured 14 horses for $2,185,000 with his top price Lot 111, a Tavistock colt knocked down for $220,000.

“I think it's been a very successful day's selling and I take my hat off to the whole New Zealand Bloodstock team and the vendors,” said Ellis. “I'm proud to be part of it all and am looking forward to more activity tomorrow.”

Last year's leading vendors Waikato Stud topped the vendors' aggregate table with 21 Lots sold for $4,160,000, followed closely by Cambridge Stud who traded 15 individuals for $3,780,000.