Bargain Weanling Purchase Haussmann (NZ) Hints at Bright Future

Talented two-year-old Haussmann (NZ) (Pour Moi), who cost just $14,000 as a weanling at Karaka, became a stakes winner and set up some ambitious targets for next season when he won Saturday’s $50,000 Graeme Thomson Jewellers Great Northern Foal Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie.

Haussmann had yet to win in three starts heading into the race, but he had finished second twice including in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1100m) at Te Rapa last time out.

Despite struggling in the testing heavy conditions on Saturday, Haussmann and rider Vinnie Colgan produced a sustained finish down the straight and surged to victory by half a length from fellow Karaka graduates So Far Sokool (NZ) (Showcasing) and Ohceedee (NZ) (Power).

“He was caught a bit wide from his outside gate, but Vinnie was able to get him to relax well,” Pike said “He wasn’t happy in the conditions, but he found the line really strongly. Hopefully he can go on with it as a three-year-old. The owners are great supporters of the stable, so it’s good to get this result.”

The Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) is at the top of part-owner Mark Wyborn’s wish list and has been mentioned as a possible target next season.

Haussmann was bred by MW O’Dwyer in partnership with Windsor Park Stud. Offered by Windsor Park at the 2015 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale, he was sold for $14,000. He returned the following year for the 2016 Select Sale and didn’t meet his $35,000 reserve.

Raced by Wyborn in partnership with Robin Peel-Walker and Windsor Park’s Nelson and Meagan Schick, Haussmann has so far earned $49,750 in prize-money.

Runner-up So Far Sokool is also a Karaka weanling sale graduate, bought for just $3000 as a weanling. She has had three starts for a win and two seconds, earning $21,750 in stakes, and has been sold to Australia.

Third-placed Ohceedee cost $75,000 at the 2016 Premier Sale.