The two highest-priced yearlings of the day were both prepared by the
Waikato-based nursery with the only Redoute's Choice colt (Lot 67) in the Sale
fetching $800,000 and a top-class Zoustar filly (Lot 90) knocked down for
$600,000.Trading came from gun international buyers with Aquis Farm and Bester Bloodstock taking the Redoute's Choice colt back to the farm and powerhouse Godolphin securing the Zoustar filly to race in their royal blue colours.
The third-highest lot of the day came when de Burgh Equine and Shadwell teamed up to secure an I Am Invincible filly (Lot 19) on account of Little Avondale Stud for $500,000. The Wairarapa farm are now leading the vendors table by average (three or more sold) with three yearlings sold at an average of $263,333.
Waikato Stud are the leading vendor by aggregate selling 14 yearlings for $3,150,000 in receipts. Their sires were to the fore with Pins leading the sires by average table (three or more sold) with three lots sold at an average of $300,000 and Champion New Zealand sire Savabeel close behind with seven lots sold at an average of $254,286.
While the international players were out in force, local buyers competed keenly for the yearlings on offer and Te Akau Racing's David Ellis secured 12 of them, two in partnership with Fortuna Syndicate, taking his total spend at the end of Day 1 to $2,282,500 – more than double his spend at this time last year.
Overall, the clearance rate of 76% is a strong indicator of the quality on offer.
"I would have been pleased if we had matched last year's figures and we weren't too far off," commented NZB's Managing Director Andrew Seabrook.
"The median was steady and average was up on Day 1 last year. We're expecting the clearance will improve over the coming days."
With the first 100 yearlings through the ring today, a total of 70 Lots were sold with the average closing at $155,607 and the median $110,000. The end of day trading reached $10,892,500 in turnover, only slightly behind 2018 figures.
Prominent buyers from Hong Kong included the Hong Kong Jockey Club, purchasing Lot 15for $220,000, and Bloodstock Agent John Foote who secured three lots for $370,000 in receipts for Hong Kong clients.
Spend from Australian buyers was strong with well-known trainers crossing the Tasman to take the New Zealand-made product home to their stables, including Chris Waller, Mick Price, Ciaron Maher, Bjorn Baker and Simon Zahra to name a few.
Book 1continues tomorrow from 11am with Lots 101 to 320. To view the results and to make an offer on any passed lots at Karaka 2019 click here.
Catch the highlights from Day 1 and relive all the action online here.
Click here for the Breednet Sale Centre.
