$725,000 Zoustar Colt to Jamie Richards

Media Release - Sunday January 28

Ex-pat Kiwi Jamie Richards made his presence felt early in the piece on Day One at Karaka as he and Bloodstock Agent Andrew Williams went to $725,000 to purchase Lot 55, a Zoustar colt from the I Am Invincible mare Evalina consigned from the Elsdon Park draft.

Jamie Richards went to $725,000 to secure Lot 55 on Day One at Karaka. Photo: Trish Dunell

Richards, who is back in New Zealand for the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale with fiancé Danielle and new baby Spencer, and Williams had already outlaid $275,000 for a Fastnet Rock colt (Lot 9) offered by Woburn Farm and had to fight off some spirited competition to secure the striking Zoustar youngster.

He is the first foal of Listed Levin Stakes (1200m) winner Evalina, who also finished third behind Julius and Winter Bride in the 2020 Gr.1 Railway (1200m) and hails from a family that includes Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) winner Singing The Blues and Gr.1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) winner Referral.

Richards was attracted by the physical presence of the colt who is likely to stay in New Zealand for his early education and racing.

“It’s great to be back home in New Zealand and this colt looks like a real runner, by a champion sire and from a stakes winning mare who is also by a champion sire (I Am Invincible),” he said.

“Just a real running type of horse who we have bought for some good Hong Kong clients.

“We’re not 100 percent sure what we will do with him but it is likely he will stay here and hopefully be aimed towards the Karaka Million (2YO, 1200m) although at some stage he will make his way up to Hong Kong.

“He was the one we were keen to be really strong on although we had to see off the boss and thankfully, we were able to get it done.”

Richards was referring to his former mentor, Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis, who was the underbidder on the colt.

Richards learnt his craft at Te Akau Racing and headed the National Trainers’ Premiership on three separate occasions for the Matamata operation and once in partnership with Stephen Autridge before making his way to train in Hong Kong in 2022.

Advertisement

He has made a successful fist of his time so far in Hong Kong with 35 winners in his first season and is currently sitting 12th on the Trainers’ Premiership with 16 wins for the 2023/2024 season.

“We are ticking along okay (in Hong Kong) as we try and build up a bit of momentum,” Richards said.

“We have a stable full of young horses and it is a very challenging environment but very rewarding.

“It is also good to come home and see the confidence that is building in New Zealand racing as sitting back and watching what is going on from Hong Kong, it appears to be very exciting.

“It is great to see the buzz as it is good for the Industry.”

Richards advised the Zoustar colt would go to his father Paul’s stable for his early education before any further plans for his future were made.

There are only two yearlings by Zoustar in Book 1 and both sold today. The other Zoustar was a filly from Lady Cartier that made $400,000 for Kaha Nui Farm when bought by David Ellis. She was a successful pinhook for her vendor having been sourced in Australia at the Inglis Select Weanling Sale for $220,000 from the Tyreel Stud draft.

– NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
One to Watch – Gosford
Capitalist had a double of debut winning two year-olds at Gosford on Thursday both prepared by Peter Snowden and while the expensive colt Caesar got the job done, it was the filly that really had people talking.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday July 9
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
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.
NZB Counts Down to 100th National Yearling Sale
Karaka 2026, set to take place at NZB’s Karaka Sales Centre from 25 – 29 January, will mark the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand.   
Aussie Interest at JRHA Sale Next Week – First foal of Golden Slipper Winner
The 2025 JRHA  Select Foal and Yearling Sale will be held next week in Japan on July 14 and 15 and as usual there are some interesting entries for Aussie racing fans with a significant number of our star mares at stud in Japan including the 2022 Golden Slipper winner Fireburn.
Progressive Mare Bred on Magic Cross
The magic Fastnet Rock x Galileo cross that has produced champion mare Via Sistina (IRE) was in the frame overnight in Ireland where six year-old mare Goodie Two Shoes scored a career best win in the Group III Stanerra Stakes (1m6f) at Fairyhouse.
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.
Two powerful additions announced for Equate 2025
The countdown to Equate '25 just got even more exciting. Australasia's number one innovation event for the thoroughbred industry has announced two brand-new sessions that bring together transparency, technology, and tangible takeaways for all attendees.
Juddmonte Bred Orchid Bouquet Sells For Record 550,000 Guineas at Tattersalls July Day 2
rade soared on the second day of the Tattersalls July Sale with a new record price of 550,000 guineas for Juddmonte’s ORCHID BOUQUET and four lots realising 300,000 guineas or more. The median and average were up 67% and 60% respectively from the equivalent day in 2024 and the clearance rate was an impressive 91%.
G1 Sprinter Crocetti Returns to Work
Group One-winning sprinter Crocetti has returned to Danny Walker and Arron Tata’s Byerley Park stable with some lofty summer targets in-mind.