Opportunity to tap into Valachi Downs’ success ends Friday

Media Release - Wednesday March 24

Astute breeder Kevin Hickman’s foresight and the rolling hills of his Matamata-based Valachi Downs has produced many high-class gallopers including champion race mare Silent Achiever with just two days left to bid on their Unreserved Reduction Sale on Gavelhouse Plus

Buyers have the opportunity to tap into the farm’s success via 52 Lot broodmares including 38 in-foal mares and 10 with foals at foot. Bidding ends from 7pm (NZ) on Friday 26 March.

Silent Achiever - image Steve Hart

Joining Silent Achiever (O’Reilly) on the farm’s lengthy honour roll having been bred and or raised at Valachi Downs are the likes of of Gr.1 Diamond Stakes and Karaka Million winner Vespa (Elusive City), Gr.1 NZ 2000 Guineas winner Ugo Foscolo (Zacinto), champion 3yo filly in Australia, Shamrocker (O’Reilly), Gr.1 Auckland Cup winner and Oaks place-getter Rock Diva (Lucky Owners), Gr.2 BTC The Roses Stakes and Listed Gold Bracelet winner Bohemian Lily (O’Reilly), Gr.3 Sunline Vase winner Communiqué (Redwood), Gr.2 ARC Royal Stakes winner Needle And Thread (Makfi) and Gr.2 ARC Royal Stakes winner She Brings Joy (Sebring).

Making the above more remarkable in the scheme of breeding operations is that this success has been achieved in a relatively short space of time while the current online offering reflects a decision to cut back on numbers and return to a more boutique style business.

“We have been delighted to be inundated with people coming to the Stud to inspect the mares on offer in this Sale,” General Manager Gareth Downey said.

“There has been an endless stream of vehicles winding their way around the rolling hills of Valachi, with many genuine purchasers inspecting large numbers of mares on offer.”

Advertisement

“We look forward to sharing the journey ahead with these mares with the eventual purchasers and we look forward to finding out on Friday night who our partners in this journey will be.”

Scanning of all mares listed as in foal in the auction was completed early this week with all confirmed to still be in foal. None of the mares carrying pregnancies in the auction have been foetal sex tested.

The entire offering has been inspected by New Zealand Bloodstock agents and notes are available to prospective buyers by contacting Kane Jones kane.jones@nzb.co.nz | +64 27 274 4985

Buyers must pre-register to bid in this Gavelhouse Plus auction and are encouraged to do so earlier rather than later.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Apocalyptic Crowned Darley Princess with G1 Flight Victory
Extreme Choice filly Apocalyptic has been the dominant force in the Darley Princess Series this year and she claimed the jewel in the crown at Randwick on Saturday with a commanding win in the $750,000 Group I ATC Flight Stakes (1600m).
G1 Metrop Win for Australian Bloodstock
Second in the Italian Derby at three, progressive stayer Royal Supremacy (IRE) had racked up multiple Group placings in Europe before his sale to Australian Bloodstock and broke through for his first ever stakes win when taking out the $750,000 Group I ATC The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Goffs Orby Day 2 - Trio of Million Dollar Yearling Fillies
The second day of the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale took off overnight with three individual yearlings selling for a million or more with the full sister to dual Group I winning champion 2YO Colt Blackbeard selling for €1.9 million to MV Magnier.
Pedigree Watch – Juvenile Stakes-Winners
Three new season juvenile stakes races on Saturday produced a $1million yearling purchase that gave Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside the perfect start to his stud career, a pinhook winner turned stakes-winner and a colt foaled in Australia with a Kiwi pedigree.
Inglis Ready2Race breeze up footage NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
Progeny of the likes of Toronado, Exceed and Excel, Harry Angel, Zoustar and Ole Kirk were amongst the standout performers from breeze up sessions conducted this week in the lead up to the Inglis Ready2Race Sale on October 16, footage of which is now available online.
Sir Delius Delivers G1 Turnbull Stakes Win
Adding Saturday’s $750,000 Group 1 VRC Turnbull Stakes (2000m) to his Group 1 MRC Underwood Stakes (1800m) victory last start, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Sir Delius further enhanced his outstanding reputation ahead of an assault on the WS Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.
Kiwi Sires a Recipe for NZB Ready to Run Sale Success
Much of the NZB Ready to Run Sale’s extraordinary success has been underpinned by the stallions that have stood in New Zealand in recent decades.
Sires With Winners - Saturday October 4
Here is the full list of 119 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Bryce Bevan Appointed Head of Digital at Magic Millions
Magic Millions' commitment to conduct online thoroughbred auctions has received a huge boost with today's announcement that Bryce Bevan has been appointed as Head of Digital.
Recent success highlights Inglis Digital October (Early) Sale
A range of exciting racing and breeding prospects – as well as a number of in-form racehorses and shares in Stakes winners – headline the Inglis Digital October (Early) Online Sale.