HK Buyers Active at K2 - $140,000 Sweynesse Colt

Media Release - Thursday February 2

Hong Kong buyers were active on day two of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Book 2 yearling sale, with four of the five top lots sold earmarked for the Asian racing jurisdiction.

Topping the list was lot 922, the Sweynesse colt out of Kilgravin Lodge’s draft, who was purchased by bloodstock agent John Foote on behalf of Hong Kong clients for $140,000.

Lot 922, the Sweynesse colt out of Kilgravin Lodge’s draft, who was purchased by bloodstock agent John Foote on behalf of Hong Kong clients for $140,000. Photo: Trish Dunell

“He is by Sweynesse who is a very popular horse in Hong Kong and he is very good-looking, black horse, so he really looked the part,” Foote said.

“He is just a very nice horse and he had a presence and I can’t say much more, really. That was about our limit but we were happy to get him.

“I bought him for David Hall who trains in Hong Kong and David’s making a habit of topping sales these days,” Foote joked, having purchased a sale-topping $625,000 Capitalist colt at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale for Hall last November.

Sweynesse has made his mark in Hong Kong, led by Lucky Sweynesse who has won the Gr.2 Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) and will start amongst the favourites in Sunday’s Gr.1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m), while another son in Solid Impact has placed in the Gr.3 Fairy King Prawn Handicap (1200m) after posting the same results in the Gr.2 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) in New Zealand.

Kilgravin Lodge’s Eion Kemp was pleased with the sale result and said Sweynesse was a major selling point.

“He is by Sweynesse and Lucky Sweynesse is one of the top horses in Hong Kong, so when those stallions are popular in Hong Kong they sell well,” he said.

Advertisement

“It was a great result for some loyal clients. Pat Lowry has supported us well over the years, so we are thrilled for him.

“He was a nice, strong colt and he fitted the bill well for a horse destined for Hong Kong.

“He was very popular amongst the traders and pinhookers who were looking at him.”

Kemp said he has been happy with sale so far.

“We have had some good results today and the nice horses have sold well,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Foote purchased another high-priced lot for Hong Kong clients when he went to $130,000 to secure lot 802, the Vanbrugh colt out of two-win High Chaparral mare High Tail It. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Wathnan Racing Swoop - Quai de Bethune Eclipses July Sale Record 775,000 Guineas
The Tattersalls July Sale concluded in spectacular fashion with QUAI DE BETHUNE selling for a record 775,000 guineas and the Busuttin Young stable also picked up lightly raced 3YO TIME ALLOWED for Australia.
Backing Tomorrow’s Leaders: Sunline Trust and Stallion Auction Unite for the Future
On Saturday 26 July, the New Zealand thoroughbred breeding community will gather at the National Breeding Awards — not only to celebrate excellence, but to invest in the future of our people and our industry.
High Hopes for Up and Comers
Andrew Forsman is hoping the younger members of his stable can make their mark in the new season’s age group events.
Quantity and quality in Rich Hill Stud’s Online Breeding Stock Sale draft
Rich Hill Stud is a prominent player in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, offering more than 10 percent of the 87-lot catalogue.
Pencarrow takes top billing in National Online Breeding Stock Sale
Pencarrow Stud’s select offering of four broodmares proved to be the star attraction in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus on Wednesday, earning the two highest prices of the sale.
What Should Breeders Make of This?
When a stallion (who is standing at a fraction of his esteemed peers 2025 fees) leads the 2025 2yo Australian General Sires list by Winners to Runners, what if anything is this signalling to breeders?
Colt from Aussie Glamour Girl Mosheen Tops JRHA Select Sale - Yearlings
The first day of the 2025 JRHA Select Sale featuring yearlings was held at Northern Horse Park in Hokkaido on Monday and the horse that topped the session is a colt from four time Australian Group I winning mare Mosheen.
Vale, Leading NZ Administrator Ian Boyland
New Zealand racing has lost a highly respected and popular administrator with the passing of Ian Boyland at the age of 81.
Kneebone to Launch Training Career
Tauranga’s race meeting on July 6 marked the beginning of an exciting new venture for Nick Kneebone.
Sires With Winners - Monday July 14
Here is the full list of 25 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.