Successful Conclusion to the 2008 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka

19 November 2008

New Zealand Bloodstock's 2008 Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs has withstood the economic pressures facing auctions sales around the world in recent months, by concluding with solid results from the past two days of selling at Karaka.

Both the sale median and average were only a shade off last year's figures, with final average $60,366 (down just 1% from a record $61,134 in 2007) and $33,000 (down 8% from $36,000 in 2007).

The clearance rate climbed steadily throughout the day to finish at 67%, down from last year's 70%, with 247 horses sold for $14,910, 500 compared with $15,100,000 for the same number sold last year.

The top price of $400,000 achieved yesterday for the Red Ransom colt from Lady Circles (Lot 62) was not surpassed, with today's top Lot knocked down for $360,000. The Zabeel colt from Group 1 winner Surprize Surprize (Prized) at Lot 243 was purchased by Queensland bloodstock agent John Foote from Mark & Shelley Treweek's Lyndhurst Farm.

Foote commented, "I've bought him for a Hong Kong client and as yet we haven't decided whether he'll race in Australia first or go straight to Hong Kong.

"He's a well-bred colt, a lovely type and breezed up with a good action. We're hoping he'll be as good as his mother and father."

The Zabeel colt breezed up the 200m straight at Te Rapa racecourse on 20 October in a time of 11.72 seconds.

Of the 247 horses sold, 17 fetched $200,000 or more compared with 14 last year, showing the relative strength at the top of the market.

Managing Director Sales & Marketing Petrea Vela was very pleased with the results of the past two days.

"In view of the challenges facing everyone in the current market conditions, the results of the past two days have really been well in excess of our expectations. Heading into this sale we were certain that results would be down on last year, but to see such strength from the market here has been a fantastic result.

"One of the most pleasing aspects of today was the strengthening clearance rate which was 69% for the day and brings the overall clearance to 67%.

"Particular credit must be paid to the great number of both international and local buyers that came to Karaka this week. We're very grateful for their efforts to be here and their support of the sale with their purchases, and hope that they are justly rewarded on the racetrack."

Leading the buyers was Graeme Rogerson on behalf of Lloyd Williams,with eight horses purchased for $1,625,000. Amongst his purchases were three two-year-olds by New Zealand champion sire Zabeel, including a top price of $320,000 for the colt fromMacanudo(Kingdom Bay)offered by Phoenix Park.

Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Korea were all well-represented by buyers at Karaka over the past two days. From Australia, in addition to John Foote, John Morrisey was active again following the Group 1 success of Rockdale from this Sale last year, buying another six young horses, plus Patrick Payne, Surf Coast Racing and Lee Hope accounted for some of the 32 horses purchased for Australia.

A total of 49 horses are destined for Singapore, including purchases by Laurie Laxon, Michael Freedman, Stephen Gray and Soon Hock Lee, with another 18 bought for Hong Kong, 14 headed to Malaysia and five to Macau. The Seoul Racehorse Owners Association bought another six today to bring their total to 16 horses for Korea.

The leading vendor at this sale for the second year in a row was Mark & Shelley Treweek's Lyndhurst Farm, with 11 of their 15 entries sold for $1,706,000 at an average of $155,091.

Click here for a complete list of Passed Lots from this Sale. For further information on any passed lot, contact New Zealand Bloodstock.

2008 Ready to Run Sale Statistics

2008 2007
AVERAGE $60,366 $61,134
MEDIAN $33,000 $36,000
CLEARANCE 67% 70%
AGGREGATE $14,910,500 (247 Lots Sold) $15,100,000 (247 Lots Sold)
TOP LOT $400,000 (B.C Red Ransom x Lady Circles) $500,000 (B.C Rock of Gibraltar x Run and Hide)

Top Ten Lots

Lot Type Breeding Vendor Purchaser Price
62 BR.C Red Ransom / Lady Circles ESKER LODGE MR S GRAY (Singapore) $400,000
243 B.C Zabeel / Surprize Surprize LYNDHURST FARM JOHN FOOTE BLOODSTOCK (QLD) $360,000
93 B.G Zabeel / Macanudo PHOENIX PARK ROGERSON BLOODSTOCK (Hamilton) $320,000
39 B.C Keeper / Jazzmatazz PHOENIX PARK MR C MCANULTY (QLD) $300,000
363 B.C Zabeel / Cornwall Queen MANA PARK SURF COAST RACING (VIC) $300,000
419 B.C Zabeel / Flushed CURRAGHMORE STUD ROGERSON BLOODSTOCK (Hamilton) $300,000
143 G.C Galileo / Our Heather LYNDHURST FARM ROGERSON BLOODSTOCK (Hamilton) $275,000
29 B.C Zabeel / I'm in Heaven MANA PARK ROGERSON BLOODSTOCK (Hamilton) $260,000
74 B.C Encosta de Lago / La Veine REGAL FARM JOHN FOOTE BLOODSTOCK (QLD) $260,000
107 B.C Dehere / Miss Candy PHOENIX PARK MR C MCANULTY (QLD) $250,000

Leading Purchasers by Aggregate

Purchaser Bought Aggregate Average Top Price
ROGERSON BLOODSTOCK 8 $1,625,000 $203,125 $320,000
NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK (as agent) 32 $1,599,500 $49,984 $200,000
JOHN FOOTE BLOODSTOCK 5 $922,500 $184,500 $360,000
MR S GRAY 5 $763,000 $152,600 $400,000
MR C MCANULTY 3 $700,000 $233,333 $300,000
MAGUS EQUINE 6 $670,000 $111,667 $180,000
MR J MORRISEY 6 $436,000 $72,667 $120,000
MR CP BEH 3 $385,000 $128,333 $185,000
MR LK LAXON 4 $363,000 $90,750 $220,000
MR ONG TIONG SENG 2 $330,000 $165,000 $180,000

Leading Sires by Average (3 or more sold)

Sire Sold Average Aggregate Top Price
Zabeel 5 $308,000 $1,540,000 $360,000
Cape Cross 3 $143,333 $430,000 $190,000
Pins 8 $129,250 $1,034,000 $220,000
Keeper 9 $105,556 $950,000 $300,000
Volksraad 5 $97,500 $487,500 $180,000
Pentire 5 $84,500 $422,500 $230,000
Viking Ruler 4 $77,250 $309,000 $170,000
Golan 4 $66,875 $267,500 $110,000
One Cool Cat 11 $59,273 $652,000 $150,000
High Chaparral 4 $52,750 $211,000 $90,000

Leading Vendor by Average (3 or more sold)

Vendor Sold Average Aggregate Top Price
LYNDHURST FARM 11 $155,091 $1,706,000 $360,000
PHOENIX PARK 12 $124,042 $1,488,500 $320,000
ESKER LODGE 9 $122,500 $1,102,500 $400,000
CURRAGHMORE STUD 4 $110,625 $442,500 $300,000
ANZAC LODGE 6 $104,000 $624,000 $200,000
MANA PARK 14 $97,964 $1,371,500 $300,000
ASCOT FARM 6 $93,917 $563,500 $230,000
REGAL FARM 5 $90,200 $451,000 $260,000
SUMMERVELD STABLES 3 $85,000 $255,000 $100,000
CHEQUERS STUD 8 $72,500 $580,000 $170,000

Leading Vendors by Aggregate

Vendor Sold Aggregate Average Top Price
LYNDHURST FARM 11 $1,706,000 $155,091 $360,000
PHOENIX PARK 12 $1,488,500 $124,042 $320,000
MANA PARK 14 $1,371,500 $97,964 $300,000
ESKER LODGE 9 $1,102,500 $122,500 $400,000
CHESTERFIELDS 14 $638,500 $45,607 $105,000
ANZAC LODGE 6 $624,000 $104,000 $200,000
CHEQUERS STUD 8 $580,000 $72,500 $170,000
ASCOT FARM 6 $563,500 $93,917 $230,000
VENTURE THOROUGHBREDS 9 $481,500 $53,500 $180,000
HAUNUI FARM 11 $454,000 $41,273 $175,000

For more information visit the New Zealand Bloodstock websiteor contact Marketing Executive Haylie Martin (haylie.martin@nzb.co.nz).