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...
Breednet Distance Sire Tables Highlight Some Home Truths
The end of season is a great time to look back and assess what has happened in terms of sire results and what may happen in the future and more importantly what all of that might mean for Australian racing.
A Family Affair - Russian Camelot Filly Salutes at Sandown
Danny O’Brien enjoyed Group I success with outstanding colt Russian Camelot (IRE), so was understandably excited to produce his first metropolitan winner as a sire at Sandown on Wednesday and Censori comes from a family that he knows inside and out.
Extremely Good Week!
It’s been a memorable week for Star Thoroughbreds having sold their multiple Group winning mare Olentia for $2.6million and then the purple and white stars were back in the winner’s circle at Canterbury on Wednesday carried by 3YO Extreme Choice colt Estremo.
One To Watch – Sandown
Fourth on debut behind the promising San Giovanni, who has since won again, the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Written Tycoon colt Duke Atreides was sent south to Victoria with instant success.
Incredible Quality in Magic Millions Virtual Sale
A breeding right to the world's most prolific sire - by elite level strike rate - will stand alongside a swag of stakes performed fillies and mares in next month's Magic Millions August Virtual Sale, with the initial catalogue unveiled today.
Olentia Sells for $2.6million to top MM August Virtual
Group II winning Zoustar mare Olentia was always seen as the likely sale-topper of the Magic Millions August Virtual Sale and she duly sparked interest with Olly Tait of Twin Hills Stud securing the mare on behalf of his international client Wathnan Racing for $2.6million.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 6
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Bountiful and Many Men to be Offered at Tattersalls Online Southern Hemisphere Pop-Up Sale
The high-class pair BOUNTIFUL (Zoustar) and MANY MEN (Study of Man) have been catalogued for the Tattersalls Online Southern Hemisphere Pop-Up Sale to be held in collaboration with Inglis Digital Australia on Wednesday 6th August to Thursday 7th August. Full details of the sale which will take place on the Tattersalls Online website are now available to view at www.tattersallsonline.com.
2026 Inglis Yearling Sale Series Entries Open
Entries for the 2026 Inglis Select Yearling Sales Series – which will be headlined by the presence of the highly anticipated Snitzel x Winx colt at the Easter Sale – are now open.
First foal Arrives for Mo’Unga
The Kelly family of Newhaven Park have taken an educated gamble on champion New Zealand sire Savabeel and have already struck paydirt with exciting young sire Cool Aza Beel siring Group I winning 2YO Cool Archie and now it’s time for Mo’Unga to make his mark.