NZB Graduates Steal the Show at Brisbane Carnival
15 June 2005
In a triumphant long weekend for New Zealand bred horses, and a historic two days racing for New Zealand Bloodstock, Karaka sales graduates claimed all four Group 1 victories of the Brisbane Carnival at Eagle Farm. Ranging in price from from NZ$6,500 to $1,100,000, NZB yearling sales graduates displayed the merits of the Karaka auction ring.
Marketing & PR Manager Petrea Vela commented, "This is the most exciting two days of racing that our yearling sales graduates have recorded in a long time. Four Group 1 winners in one long weekend is a fantastic achievement and we extend our warmest congratulations to the connections of all the winning horses. There's a wealth of opportunity at our yearling sales and these results show that there is genuinely potential for success for every budget."
Karaka yearling sale topper, Darci Brahma (Danehill x Grand Echezeaux) won the Group 1 Racetree T J Smith 2YO (1600m) in impressive style on Monday, notching up his fourth career win from six starts. Carrying the top weight and drawing wide he displayed an explosive finish to defeat Ready As (More Than Ready x Neensie) and Daemons (Quest for Fame x Spirit) for second and third.
The regally bred colt was bred and sold by Peter and Philip Vela's Pencarrow Stud for NZ$1,100,000 to prominent New Zealand buyer, David Ellis of Te Akau Stud. He is a first foal of Grand Echezeaux, the Group 1 Australasian Oaks winner and a half sister to Hong Kong International Cup winner, Romanee Conti, dam of Melbourne and Caulfield Cups winner, Ethereal. Darci Brahma is trained by Mark Walker and was ridden by Scott Seamer.
Eight-time winner, Portland Singa (Danasinga x State of Oregon) scored a two length victory ahead of Shamrock Shore (Song of Tara x Loaheeb) and Regal Punch (Forever Regal x Pride of Sarah) in the Group 1 Conrad Treasury Brisbane Cup (3200m) yesterday at Eagle Farm. Portland Singa was bred and sold by Rex & Gerald Fell's Fairdale Stud at the 2001 Select Sale for the bargain price of NZ$6,500 to Neville McBurney.
In a New Zealand bred quinella on Saturday, Lachlan River (Desert King x Viveasha) won the Group 1 BMW Queensland Derby (2400m) to Lords A Leaping (Zabeel x Turtle Dove). Lachlan River was a NZ$40,000 purchase from the 2003 Karaka Premier Sale. He was purchased from the Waikato Stud draft by long-time New Zealand Bloodstock client, John Morrissey, acting on behalf of Gundaroo Stud's Len Hoyle. Mr Hoyle has been a prominent buyer in New Zealand over the last 15 years, and this was his second Queensland Derby win with a New Zealand Bloodstock yearling purchase. They also won the race in 1999 with Camarena (Danehill x Canny Miss).
In the second of Saturday's Group 1 events, St Basil (Vettori x Dewamar) won the Group 1 AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) ahead of South African bred Perfect Promise (Caesour x Meretricious) and Shamekha (Secret Savings x Lifetime Story). A consistent performer at group level, St Basil is a half brother to Group 1 South Australian Derby winner, Pantani (Pentire). The grey stallion was sold at the 1999 Karaka Premier Sale for NZ$45,000 by Wayne & Vicki Pike's Longlands Stud to Bevin Laming.