KARAKA 2005: The Danehill Factor

In the wake of successful results at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale, Karaka 2005 now offers buyers from around the world one of their last ever opportunities to secure a Danehill yearling from his final southern hemisphere crop.

Karaka 2005's Premier Sale, commencing on 31st January 2005, will see the twenty yearlings, 12 fillies and 8 colts, by the super-sire go under the hammer. New Zealand Bloodstock's Marketing & PR Manager, Petrea Vela comments: "We are very excited to have twenty of the final southern bred Danehill yearlings to offer at public auction. Those offered on the Gold Coast sold very well, but there just weren't enough to go around. We hope that those buyers who are still shopping for a Danehill ensure they take up this opportunity by coming to Karaka."

Champion sire Danehill's last southern hemisphere crop fired up the recent Magic Millions sale when his progeny provided the top priced colt and filly of the Sale. Danehill was also the leading sire with fourteen yearlings sold for an average of A$475,357; more than double that of second placed stallion, Encosta De Lago.

Prominent international buyer Demi O'Byrne went to a sale topping A$950,000 to secure lot 565, a colt by Danehill ex Silken Whisper by Diesis for Coolmore Stud luminaries John Magnier and Michael Tabor. O'Byrne, who was flanked by Lindsay Park identities David Hayes and Mark Pilkington, reported after the sale that the colt will be trained from Lindsay Park.

New Zealand based bloodstock agent Rob McAnulty paid A$850,000 for another Danehill colt, this one out of Riveryev by Irish River. The colt is a half-brother to stakes winners Shigeru Sprit (by Be My Chief) and Okabango (by Unfuwain). No decision on a trainer has been made yet.

Trans-Tasman trainer Graeme Rogerson paid the next highest price for a Danehill colt when he purchased a colt out of stakes placed Fairy King mare Marigot Bay. This colt is from the family of Champion American sire Storm Cat (by Storm Bird) who stands at a fee of US$500,000. Graeme Rogerson was also the leading buyer at the Sale by aggregate.

The highest priced filly of the sale was knocked down to successful bloodstock agent Dean Watt and owner Bruce Reid, when they paid A$625,000 for a Danehill filly out of international Group I winner Tis Juliet by Alydar. Watt and Reid also picked up lot 583, a Danehill colt out of Sorb Apple by Kris for A$550,000.

Peter and Philip Vela's Pencarrow Stud will consign the largest number of Danehill's at Karaka, with nine yearlings in their premier draft (four colts and five fillies). Along with yearlings by Champion sire Danehill Pencarrow Stud will offer top class yearlings by Black Minnaloushe, Canny Lad, Catbird, Centaine, Generous, Montjeu, O'Reilly, Viscount and Zabeel.

At the 2004 New Zealand Bloodstock 78th National Yearling Sales Series, it was Danehill progeny that topped the tables there as well. The 2004 Premier Sale saw two Danehill colts fetch over NZ$1 million each and secure the two highest prices of the Sale.

The Danehill ex Grand Echezeaux (by Zabeel) colt that topped the sale reached $1.1 million to the bid of prominent New Zealand racing identity and Te Akau Stables principal, David Ellis. This colt, bred by Pencarrow Stud is from the family of four-time Group I winner Ethereal (by Rhythm). The next top lot was the Danehill ex Push a Venture (by Shirley Heights) colt who was sold to international bloodstock agent Adrian Nicoll of BBA Ireland. Even the third top lot was of Danehill blood, a colt by Quest for Fame out of stakes placed Danehill mare, Chimeara. This colt sold to bloodstock agent, Rob McAnulty, for $750,000 and was also bred by Pencarrow Stud.