Strong Results Conclude First NZB National Online Weanling Sale

A solid afternoon of trading has concluded New Zealand Bloodstock’s first-ever National Weanling Sale conducted on Gavelhouse Plus.

The dedicated weanling session saw 60 lots sell for a total turnover of $1,044,051. The average reached $17,401 while the median closed at $8,250 and the clearance rate settled at a healthy 75%.

Running on the enhanced online platform, the Sale caught the attention of an international buying bench with the top lot of the session, a weanling colt by Proisir out of Pennacchio (Lot 19), secured by Sydney-based trainer Anthony Cummings at a $107,500 price tag.

Bred by Greg Tomlinson's Nearco Stud, whom Cummings also purchased Hong Kong Champion Beauty Generation from, the Curraghmore-consigned colt surpassed last year’s top priced weanling at the Karaka May Sale of $95,000.

“I’m very happy with this colt, I know the potential of this particular cross and I have confidence in the horse as an individual,” Cummings said.

“He is by Proisir, leading second season sire in New Zealand with his best looking group horses by any standard.”

“This weanling has a great pedigree and type, and how these things merge together in the family make it very easy to walk into a sale situation and purchase a horse like him."

Cummings was also enthusiastic about the online sale experience.

“I really liked the idea of an online sale and I think it works well from both a buying and selling perspective.

“Buyers get extensive information and there are plenty of people to talk to, making it easier to do your homework,” he said.

Curraghmore’s Gordon Cunningham commented on the top lot result.

“He’s a good colt from a well-performed mare who has already left a very good horse in Hong Kong, and he is by an emerging sire.

“He made a good price that justified our decision to offer him online.

“Vendors made a very good effort and took the sale seriously and I hope they were rewarded,” commented Cunningham.

Champion sire Savabeel was in demand during today’s online session with a Savabeel colt out of My Country (Lot 15), secured for $97,500 by Zhongli Thoroughbreds from Valachi Downs.

Another Savabeel colt out of Serenade (Lot 29) was purchased for $95,000 by Carlaw Park from the

draft of Waikato Stud.

First season sire Almanzor delivered promising results after his two weanling fillies, Lot 57 (ex Colombelle) and Lot 3 (ex Lady Pinot) sold for $60,000 and $36,000 respectively. 

“I think at the end of the day, it is a new experience with slightly more premium product and it was great to see some good competition on the horses,” commented Haunui Farm’s Mark Chitty.

“We had three or four sell past their reserve and when that happens, it is a sign of a strong sale.

“We are more than happy with our results and it is a great stepping stone to build on for the future,” Chitty said.

NZB Bloodstock Sales Manager Danny Rolston was complimentary of vendor’s efforts resulting in a pleasing day of trade.  

“We entered new territory and vendors had to pivot and be versatile,” commented Rolston.

“The way they embraced the format and lifted the game of digital presentations was reflected in today’s results.

“There was a broad, international buying bench and considering the circumstances, we are thrilled with the outcome,” he said.

A charity auction held at the end of the Sale as Lot 83, offered a service fee to Champion Two-Year-Old in Australia, Microphone.

Donated by Darley, the service fee sold for $40,000 with all proceeds going to the Catwalk Trust, who fund world-class research to find a cure for spinal cord injuries.

Weanlings offered in the Sale are eligible to enter in the Karaka Million Series featuring two $1 million races available for graduates as two and three-year-olds, plus the $100,000 CollinsonForex Karaka Cup for the duration of their career.

To make enquiries about Passed Lots contact NZB Sales Representative Kane Jones (+64 27 274 4985 or email Kane.Jones@nzb.co.nz). 

To view the full 2020 National Weanling Sale results click here.

2020 National Weanling Sale Statistics