The dizzying rise of Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State continued at Karaka on Monday with a sale-topping $1.1 million yearling in his second crop.
With his oldest progeny two-year-olds, the Group One-winning son of Snitzel has already been represented by Listed Debutant Stakes (1000m) winner and Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) placegetter Torture, highly impressive two-start, two-win colt Warwoven and smart last-start winner State The Obvious.
Sword Of State’s burgeoning reputation led to an average price of $260,250 across 20 yearlings sold through Sunday and Monday’s Book 1 session of Karaka 2026, off a $15,000 service fee.
But the yearling on everyone’s list this week was Lot 513. From the draft of Cambridge Stud, the colt is out of the Shamardal mare Las Brisas and is a half-brother to the four-time Group One winner Ceolwulf.
After beginning at $200,000, the colt received rapid-fire bids from all corners of the ring. As the other underbidders gradually folded, it developed into a two-way battle between top Australian trainer Ciaron Maher’s head of bloodstock Will Bourne and formidable rival David Ellis. The Te Akau Racing principal had a particular connection to this colt, having bought Sword Of State himself for A$600,000 from the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale six years ago.
Ellis pushed himself to the limit in pursuit of the colt, summoning one last bid of $50,000 after the million-dollar mark had been reached, but Bourne came out on top with a winning bid of $1.1 million.
“David Ellis is a hard guy to beat, especially here on his home deck,” a relieved Bourne said. “But this is a lovely horse. We got some great support from a new client, Mr (Sanxiong) Gao, and we’re thrilled to have him on board.
“Ciaron Maher sent me the videos of this horse when we were working through a shortlist five days ago. He was one of Ciaron’s picks. I’ve just got off the phone with Ciaron now. He’s delighted and he wants me to sell the last shares, so I’m going to go and do that now.”
Bourne sees the million-dollar colt as a more precocious type than Ceolwulf, who was a $170,000 purchase from the 2022 Ready to Run Sale and has come of age as a four and five-year-old with triumphs in the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m), Champions Mile (1600m) and two editions of the King Charles III Stakes (1600m).
“There’s a few similarities, although one was a cheaper purchase that developed into a really nice horse over time,” Bourne said. “This one has a lot of strength and is very much a yearling sales horse. There’s a lot of power there. I feel like he’s a different type of horse – he’s very imposing and a proper colt. We’ll get him home and try to turn him into something.”
Bourne has been impressed with the start made by Sword Of State, who stood for a $20,000 service fee this season.
“We’ve got one that we bought last year that’s showing really good ability at home, and obviously we’ve seen the horse that Bjorn Baker has (Warwoven),” Bourne said. “For a young stallion to start the way he has is a credit to Cambridge Stud. We’re happy to support them. They do such a good job and are so supportive of the industry here and the community. Sword Of State is a nice stallion on the up.” – NZ Racing Desk
