$1million Fastnet Rock Filly Lights Up Karaka Book 1 Finale

Media Release - Tuesday January 31

David Ellis was once again at the top of the buyers’ sheet at Karaka this year, but this time it was for a filly.

The Te Akau principal went to $1 million, to purchase lot 586, the Fastnet Rock filly out of stakes performer Test The World.

Lot 586, the Fastnet Rock filly out of stakes performer Test The World, was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis out of Curraghmore’s draft for $1 million. Photo: Trish Dunell

It is the highest price Ellis has paid for a filly at Karaka, and for good reason.

“I had a good chat with Karyn (Fenton-Ellis, wife) this morning and I said this was the best filly since 1988 that I have seen on this ground. This complex was opened in 1988 and I have never seen a better filly,” Ellis said.

It is a big call from Ellis, who has been the leading buyer at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for 18 consecutive years, with his filly purchases including the like of 14-time Group One winner Melody Belle and nine-time Group One winner Avantage, another daughter of Fastnet Rock who later sold on gavelhouse.com for an online world-record of $4.1 million.

But Ellis is adamant he has found the near-perfect filly from Curraghmore’s draft.

“She was just perfect. She has a beautiful pedigree and the mare had a lot of speed,” he said.

“I saw the mare’s foal at Coolmore Stud in December and that is a cracker. There is so much to like about this filly, and I can’t wait to get her into training.

“I think she will make a two-year-old, she is a definite Sires’ Produce (Gr.1, 1400m) filly and is a filly we would like to take to Melbourne as a three-year-old and have a crack at those big races.

“The good thing about this filly is that there are two one-million-dollar races for her that are restricted to horses that came from this sale.”

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Te Akau principal David Ellis pictured with Curraghmore’s Gordon Cunningham. Photo: Trish Dunell

Ellis said the filly has a lot of similarities to Avantage.

“Avantage was by the same sire. They are both very fast-looking Fastnet Rock’s,” Ellis said.

“This one is out of a Testa Rossa mare, which reflects in my opinion a lot of speed. This filly’s mother was a very fast filly and I think she will be a really good broodmare.

“When you buy one from Coolmore Stud you know you have got a great chance because they are reared in such a great environment.”

Ellis’ million-dollar purchase was his 27th and last of the sale, and extends his long-held title of leading buyer at Karaka.

“I think it has been a very successful sale,” Ellis said.

“Given the fact a lot of overseas people couldn’t come because of the weather, I think New Zealand Bloodstock have done an incredible job promoting the sale.

“I think the prices overall have been strong and it has been a successful week.” – NZ Racing Desk

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