Fabulous Start To Karaka 2004

Buoyant pre-sale expectations were met and in many cases exceeded at the opening session of the 2004 National Yearling Sales at Karaka today. From the outset bidding was fast and furious as the extensive international buying bench competed strongly for the majority of the 205 lots offered.

The highlight of the opening day was Lot 159 reaching the magical million dollar mark. The $1,000,000 purchase for the magnificent colt by Danehill x Push A Venture (by Shirley Heights) was made by Adrian Nicoll of the British Bloodstock Agency - Ireland for the three quarter brother to mighty racehorse Rock Of Gibraltar. The colt was sold through the draft of Gordon & Robyn Cunningham's Curraghmore Stud.

At the end of the day the average price had climbed by 13% from last year's Premier Sale average of $95,291 to reach a very pleasing high of $108,049.

�Today was certainly one of the strongest opening sessions to our Premier Sale we have ever seen. Right from the outset the buyers were ready for action, the bids flew thick and fast creating great momentum, which carried right throughout the session. It was very pleasing for us to see so many of the world's leading bloodstock buyers here at Karaka, with the strongest representation from Europe in particular that we have ever experienced. Buyers from Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand were also significant forces. If we can continue the market level established today throughout days 2 and 3 we are in for a very successful Premier Sale,� said NZ Bloodstock General Manager, Bloodstock & Marketing, Julia Naismith.

STATISTICS FROM DAY 1 � 2004 PREMIER SALE

FIRST SESSION AVERAGE = $108,049
6.5 % increase from same stage last year.
13% increase from last year's Premier Sale final average.
2003 Average at same stage (ie after 215 lots catalogued) = $101,461
2003 Final Premier Sale average = $95,291.

1ST SESSION AGGREGATE = $17,720,000
2003 Aggregate at same stage = $15,625,000

1ST SESSION LOTS CATALOGUED = 215
2003 1ST SESSION LOTS CATALOGUED = 90

1ST SESSION LOTS SOLD = 164
2003 1ST SESSION LOTS SOLD = 62

1ST SESSION CLEARANCE RATE = 80%
2003 1ST SESSION CLEARANCE RATE = 84%
2003 Final Premier Sale Clearance rate =83%

1ST SESSION MEDIAN = $67,500
2003 MEDIAN AT SAME STAGE = $67,500.

1ST SESSION TOP PRICE = Lot 159 $1,000,000 Danehill x Push A Venture
2003 1ST SESSION TOP PRICE = $410,000 Danehill x Casuarina Beach

1ST SESSION LEADING BUYERS BY AGGREGATE =
BBA Ireland 2 Purchased $1,410,000.

TOP 10 LOTS v = vendor p= purchaser

LOT 159 (DANEHILL X PUSH A VENTURE) $1,000,000
v=Curraghmore Stud/p=British Bloodstock Agency
LOT 138 (FUSAICHI PEGASUS X PALIA) $480,000
v=Cambridge Stud/p=Mr W Leung
LOT 90 (MONTJEU X MAZARINE) $460,000
v=Ascot Farm/p=Cambridge Stud
LOT 47 (THUNDER GULCH X LA BRILLANTE) $420,000
v=Windsor Park/p=Kieran Moore Bloodstock
LOT 17 (ZABEEL X JACQWIN ) $410, 000
v=Waikato Stud/p=British Bloodstock Agency
LOT 174 (COMMANDS X RED SLIPPERS) $380,000
v=Cambridge Stud/p=Roulston Bloodstock
LOT 9 (STRAVINSKY X IMPROVISTE) $365,000
v=Ascot Farm/p=Mr J Salinitri
LOT 209 (DANEHILL X SECRET TRUTH) $340,000
v=Ascot farm/p=Mr B Jenkins
LOT 114 (REDOUTE'S CHOICE X MRS SQUILLIONAIRE)$310,000
v=Whakanui stud/p=Bruce Perry Bloodstock Ltd
LOT 115 (ZABEEL X MUSICAL NOTE) $300,000
v=Cambridge Stud/p=Mr W K Lee

1ST SESSION LEADING SIRES BY AVERAGE 2004 (3 OR MORE SOLD)

1ST = DANEHILL 6 SOLD FOR AVERAGE $363,333
2ND = FUSAICHI PEGASUS 3 SOLD FOR AVERAGE $260,000
3RD = REDOUTE'S CHOICE 4 SOLD FOR AVERAGE $164,375
4TH = ZABEEL 12 SOLD FOR AVERAGE $162,917

1ST SESSION LEADING 1ST CROP SIRES BY AVERAGE (3 or more sold)

1ST = FUSAICHI PEGASUS 3 SOLD FOR AVERAGE $260,000
2ND = MONTJEU 26 SOLD FOR AVERAGE $116,442

1ST SESSION LEADING BUYERS BY AGGREGATE 2004

1ST = BRITISH BLO