Australian Buyers Strike Early on Karaka Day 1

Media Release - Monday March 7

Australian interest in the quality New Zealand horseflesh on offer during the New Zealand National Yearling Sale was high early on the first day of selling with many familiar names featuring on the results page.

Agents representing trainers such as Chris Waller, Danny O’Brien, Henry Dwyer and John O’Shea were all part of the early buying action, however, it was Tony Fung who headed the pack under his TFI banner as his on-site representative Kacy Fogden went to $425,000 to secure Lot 18, a Lonhro colt out of the Curraghmore draft.

Lot 18 - Lonhro colt from Tiamo Grace.

Lot 18 - Lonhro colt from Tiamo Grace.

The stylish brown colt is out of Gr.2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) winner Tiamo Grace and hails from an extended family that includes European stakes winners Common World and Speciale along with Gr.1 Myer Classic (1600m) winner I Am A Star.

Fogden, who was one of the later arrivals to Karaka this year, had been keen on the colt from the first time she inspected him.

“I actually got in quite late, but we had done our homework on him,” Fogden said.

“I think he probably deserved to make what he brought in the ring as he is obviously a nice colt.

“He is definitely an improving type and going in the right direction.

“We quite like the Lonhro colts and we had been back to see him three or four times.”

Advertisement

Fogden advised the colt was likely to stay in New Zealand to mature further before heading across the Tasman to join an Australian stable.

“We haven’t had the best of weather of late so he will most likely stay here in New Zealand for a little bit before we send him over (to Australia),” she said.

Fogden was also enjoying the current placement of the sale which had been moved to March from its normal late January date due to COVID restrictions.

“I quite like the sale at this time although I’m not sure how the vendors feel about it,” she said.

“I think it has helped the horses physically as they are a bit more forward and they are presenting beautifully.”

Fogden was back in action later in the morning outlaying $160,000 on behalf of Fung to secure an Ocean Park colt, Lot 41 from the Landsdowne Park draft. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Third Winner for Peltzer
Twin Hills Stud’s young sire Pelzter added a third winner to his tally with a debut victory at Canberra on Friday for the well named gelding I Show Speed.
National Online Breeding Stock Sale online now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.
High-flying Pencarrow Stud offers well-bred mares in Online Breeding Stock Sale
The 2024-25 season has been one of the best ever for Pencarrow Stud, and some of the renowned bloodlines that have underpinned that success are now available for purchase in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
How Much for a Snitzel Colt from Winx?
The record price for a yearling by the late champion sire Snitzel stands at $2.8million, but that benchmark looks set to be smashed at Inglis Easter next year.
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 3
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Istataba adds international flavour to National Online Breeding Stock Sale
Buyers can currently bid on 11 stakes-performed mares in the National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, including one that brings South American bloodlines and Singaporean racetrack performance.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Super Seth has had three G1 winners in Australia this season and John O’Shea and Tom Charlton have trained two of them, so when they produce a lightly raced maiden winner by this exciting young sire we want to know more.
Quality Cambridge Stud draft in National Online Breeding Stock Sale
The need for Cambridge Stud to control the size of their star-studded broodmare band has opened up some special opportunities in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus.
National Online Breeding Stock Sale Online Now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.