Karaka Day 2 Sale Topper

Although extremely active throughout the first two days of the National Yearling Sale Series, and comfortably ahead in the leading buyer race, Te Akau Stud principal David Ellis was focused on getting the colt he really wanted at Karaka on Tuesday.

With a bid of $700,000 be bested the competition and walked away with a colt he described as “one of the best yearlings you will ever see in a sale ring and that includes at any auction around the world”.

That colt was lot 385, Pencarrow Stud's bay colt by Fastnet Rock from Beyond The Sunset, the dam of stakes winners Te Akau Coup and Don Garcia and from a family that relates back to American Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew.

“Every one of my team listed this fellow at the top their ratings for the sale and I was determined to secure him,” Ellis explained immediately after signing for the colt.

“To me he looks world class and after visiting a number of sales around the globe I think he would be a standout in any auction ring.”

Ellis admitted that the colt was likely to be his last purchase during the Premier session of the sale where he signed for 26 yearlings on the first day and a further 9 today for a combined total in excess of $6.35m.

“I think we have all we came to buy from the Premier sale and now it's time to find a home for them all,” he said.

“We managed to get what we wanted despite being the under-bidder on another 10 lots and I will now have a rest until the Select sale commences.”

Ellis noted that the current value of the New Zealand dollar against the Australian currency had assisted him during his bidding duels over the first two days of the sale.

“In previous years we have been on the back foot against the Australian buyers as the difference in the respective currencies has given them a real advantage that hasn't existed this year,” he said.

“It means we are competing on a level playing field and gives us the opportunity to retain many more of our best horses here in New Zealand.”

Credit - Kevin Robertson