$900,000 The Autumn Sun Colt Highlights Electric Karaka Book 1 Finale

Media Release - Wednesday March 9

The Karaka 2022 sale ring was alight with activity during the final afternoon of Book 1 selling, with a surge in buying carrying momentum through to the close of the Sale.

$900,000 The Autumn Sun colt was the top lot on Wednesday's final session of Book 1.

New Zealand Bloodstock Managing Director, Andrew Seabrook, was thrilled with the remarkable results at the conclusion of trading.

“We were buoyed by the strength of our buying bench for the duration of Book 1. It was great to have the international-based kiwis back on the grounds, which provided some tough competition for our domestic buying bench.”

“We are delighted with the turnover which finished at just above $63.1 million (up 24% on last year), but even more so by the fact that 2022 Book 1 receipts surpassed the 2021 Book 1 and Book 2 Sales combined.

“At the close of selling today, we saw 105 yearlings traded for an amount of $200,000 or more, compared to just 74 lots selling for that same amount or over in 2021.

“We also saw five lots sell over the $800,000 threshold this year, compared to just one lot in 2021.

“The average and median both increased and we will see the clearance rate continue to climb overnight as our team works hard behind the scenes to get horses over the line.

“I am extremely proud of what the NZB team has achieved to date and look forward to another three days of trading during our Book 2 Sale.”

With plenty of action ringside, Roger James and Robert Wellwood of Kingsclere Stables were thrilled with their highlight purchase on Day Three, securing Lot 508 for $900,000.

"I just can’t explain it, I can’t remember having bought or bid on a horse of his quality, there’s not a box he doesn’t tick,” said Group One-winning trainer Roger James.  

The colt, offered by Landsdowne Park, was by in-demand first season sire The Autumn Sun out of More Than Ready mare Pristino.

James’ young gun training partner, Robert Wellwood, referred the lot as “the best colt in the Sale”.

“I didn’t want to stop him bidding and I’m just elated to be able to have a horse like him in the stable,” Wellwood said.

The duo had further success later in the day after purchasing Lot 635 for $625,000 from Haunui Farm. The filly is bred on the golden cross by Savabeel out of O’Reilly mare Symphonic (NZ) and was offered by Cambridge Stud.

That same cross proved popular with international visitors, after kiwi ex-pat Kacy Fogden secured Lot 528 for $850,000, a Savabeel colt out of Relentless Desire (NZ) (O’Reilly) on behalf of Mr T Fung from Waikato Stud’s draft.

Kevin Walls was active, purchasing on behalf of Queensland-based KPW Bloodstock, securing a $850,000 colt (Lot 621). The son of Pierro out of Subatomic (Makfi) heralds from an international family from Cambridge Stud’s draft.

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David Ellis was the leading buyer at Karaka Book 1.

Rounding out a superb three days of Book 1 trading, Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis retained the title of leading buyer by aggregate after purchasing 30 yearlings for a total spend of $7,565,000.

“Our colts syndicate has been very well received by our owners and it’s a great thrill for Karyn and I to be able to put this together. It’s really exciting to continue to buy horses at Karaka and we are thrilled by what we have managed to secure from this Sale so far.”

Mr T Fung of Aquis Farms features second on the table having spent $4,065,000 on 11 lots in Book 1.

Waikato Stud once again topped the vendor by aggregate table at the close of Book 1 for the ninth consecutive year, having sold 39 yearlings for a healthy $7,860,000, while Cambridge Stud sat in second place selling 34 yearlings for a total amount of $6,105,000.

Waikato Stud Principal Mark Chittick said he was heartened by the results on the final day of Book 1.

Mark Chittick with his sale-topping brother to Mo'Unga.

“Achieving results like this in trying times has proved just how hard everybody on the farm has worked. But after seeing what has gone on this week, the time and effort that has gone into the Sale by the NZB team and everybody on the grounds here at Karaka, it is quite incredible,” Chittick said.

Beaufort Downs finished as leading vendor by average selling three yearlings for an average of $250,000, while Milan Park were hot on their heels, selling eight yearlings for an average of $221,875.

A mixture of proven and first season stallions feature on the leading sires by average table. Champion sires Savabeel, Tavistock, Pierro and Zoustar, along with freshmen The Autumn Sun and Justify all making an appearance.

With more work to do ahead of Book 2, Director of Sales Danny Rolston, took time to comment on the strength of the New Zealand industry.

“Our industry is so resilient and our team has worked so hard over the last couple of months to be able to host a physical Sale. This is a closed event but it was electric in there today. We certainly didn’t have the full auditorium that we are used to but the results have defied that.”

To enquire about Passed Lots contact Regan Donnison on +64 21 512 466 or email regan.donnison@nzb.co.nz or Kane Jones on +64 27 274 4985 or email kane.jones@nzb.co.nz.

Catch the highlights and Lot-by-Lot footage from Book 1 online.

View the full Book 1 results here.

Selling continues on Day One of Book 2 tomorrow, where lots 637 to 800 will go through the ring from 11AM (NZT).

Book 2 will be available to view on Freeview Channel 200, as well as streamed live on NZB’s website, online bidding platform and on NZB’s Facebook page.

Karaka 2022 Book 1 Statistics

  2022 BOOK 1 TOTAL 2021 BOOK 1 TOTAL 2020 BOOK 1 TOTAL
AGGREGATE $63,127,500 $50,778,000 $67,130,000
AVERAGE $146,808 $123,248 $138,698
MEDIAN $100,000 $95,000 $107,500
CLEARANCE 77% 80.47% 79%
CATALOGUED 636 579 677
SOLD 430 412 484
TOP LOT Lot 161 Savabeel - Chandelier (B.C) $1,000,000 Lot 94 Zoustar - Scintillula (B.F) $800,000 Lot 155 Pierro - Our Squeezer (B. or Br.C) $900,000

2022 Book 1 Top Lots
LOT TYPE BREEDING VENDOR PURCHASER LOCATION PRICE
161 B.C Savabeel / Chandelier Waikato Stud Annabel Neasham Racing/Mr T Fung Queensland $1,000,000
508 B.C The Autumn Sun / Pristino Landsdowne Park Mr RA James / Mr R Wellwood Waikato $900,000
410 BB.F Fastnet Rock / Memories of You Curraghmore Mr DC Ellis Te Akau $850,000
528 BR.C Savabeel / Relentless Desire Waikato Stud Mr T Fung Queensland $850,000
621 B.C Pierro / Subatomic Cambridge Stud KPW Bloodstock Queensland $850,000
333 BR.C Almanzor / Its Our Showtime Cambridge Stud Bruce Perry Bloodstock Wellington $675,000
635 B.F Savabeel / Symphonic Haunui Farm Mr RA James / Mr R Wellwood Waikato $625,000
217 Ch.F Snitzel / Eleonora Blandford Lodge Forsman Racing/Andrew Williams Bloodstock/Bevan Smith Bloodstock Waikato $600,000
530 B.C Justify / Repeat The Oaks Stud Mr DC Ellis Te Akau $600,000
563 BR.F Savabeel / Scintillula Pencarrow Stud Mick Wallace USA $600,000
10 B.C Savabeel / Thee Achiever Milan Park Mr DC Ellis Te Akau $575,000
618 BR.F Savabeel / Style by Design Waikato Stud Mr DC Ellis Te Akau $525,000
2022 Book 1 Leading Purchasers by Aggregate
BUYER PURCHASED AGGREGATE AVERAGE TOP PRICE TOP LOT
Mr DC Ellis 31 $8,070,000 $260,323 $850,000 410
KPW Bloodstock 6 $2,285,000 $380,833 $850,000 621
Mr RA James / Mr R Wellwood 7 $2,165,000 $309,286 $900,000 508
Go Racing 13 $2,115,000 $162,692 $470,000 190
Tartan Meadow Bloodstock 12 $1,685,000 $140,417 $320,000 580
TFI 7 $1,595,000 $227,857 $425,000 18
Bruce Perry Bloodstock 4 $1,540,000 $385,000 $675,000 333
Mulcaster Bloodstock / Waller Racing 6 $1,265,000 $210,833 $440,000 165
Mr SB Marsh 7 $1,100,000 $157,143 $280,000 383
Annabel Neasham Racing/Mr T Fung 1 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 161
2022 Book 1 Leading Vendors by Aggregate
VENDOR SOLD AGGREGATE AVERAGE TOP PRICE TOP LOT
Waikato Stud 39 $7,860,000 $201,538 $1,000,000 161
Cambridge Stud 34 $6,105,000 $179,559 $850,000 621
Curraghmore 19 $3,745,000 $197,105 $850,000 410
Wentwood Grange 31 $3,425,000 $110,484 $450,000 489
Westbury Stud 28 $3,390,000 $121,071 $300,000 95
Haunui Farm 17 $3,235,000 $190,294 $625,000 635
Pencarrow Stud 22 $3,190,000 $145,000 $600,000 563
Landsdowne Park 17 $2,932,500 $172,500 $900,000 508
Phoenix Park 16 $2,452,500 $153,281 $475,000 467
Little Avondale Stud 16 $2,400,000 $150,000 $340,000 382
2022 Book 1 Leading Vendors by Average (three or more sold)
VENDOR SOLD AVERAGE AGGREGATE TOP PRICE TOP LOT
Beaufort Downs 3 $250,000 $750,000 $380,000 367
Milan Park 8 $221,875 $1,775,000 $575,000 10
Waikato Stud 39 $201,538 $7,860,000 $1,000,000 161
Curraghmore 19 $197,105 $3,745,000 $850,000 410
Trelawney Stud 11 $196,818 $2,165,000 $380,000 377
Haunui Farm 17 $190,294 $3,235,000 $625,000 635
Blandford Lodge 7 $181,429 $1,270,000 $600,000 217
Cambridge Stud 34 $179,559 $6,105,000 $850,000 621
Landsdowne Park 17 $172,500 $2,932,500 $900,000 508
Phoenix Park 16 $153,281 $2,452,500 $475,000 467
2022 Book 1 Leading Sires by Average (three or more sold)
SIRE SOLD AGGREGATE AVERAGE TOP PRICE TOP LOT
The Autumn Sun* 3 $1,280,000 $426,667 $900,000 508
Savabeel 35 $10,755,000 $307,286 $1,000,000 161
Pierro 12 $3,615,000 $301,250 $850,000 621
Zoustar 4 $1,045,000 $261,250 $475,000 325
Justify* 7 $1,535,000 $219,286 $600,000 530
Vadamos 3 $595,000 $198,333 $260,000 230
Tavistock 10 $1,900,000 $190,000 $500,000 67
Deep Field 5 $925,000 $185,000 $475,000 636
Lonhro 4 $720,000 $180,000 $425,000 18
Tivaci 22 $3,870,000 $175,909 $420,000 424

*First Season Sire

2022 Book 1 Leading First Season Sires by Average (three or more sold)
SIRE SOLD AGGREGATE AVERAGE TOP PRICE TOP LOT
The Autumn Sun 3 $1,280,000 $426,667 $900,000 508
Justify 7 $1,535,000 $219,286 $600,000 530
Staphanos* 3 $505,000 $168,333 $250,000 234
Eminent* 3 $330,000 $110,000 $250,000 6
Ardrossan* 5 $520,000 $104,000 $160,000 461
U S Navy Flag* 18 $1,740,000 $96,667 $340,000 303
Ace High* 9 $845,000 $93,889 $160,000 7

*NZ-based Stallions

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