Australasian Breds Dominate Hong Kong International Sale

Both the average and median dipped 17 percent at the 2019 Hong Kong International Sale at Sha Tin on March 15 although Andrew Harding, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director, Racing expressed satisfaction with the result.

"The sale results are in line with our expectations. Some nice types have been offered to our owners which is always the overriding objective of the Hong Kong International Sale," Harding said.

"In terms of the results, it is a healthy average at HK$4.3 million and a profit of about HK$12 million."

Mark Richards, the Club's Executive Manager, International Sale, said:

"We have seen in the sales around the world that people are particular in their purchasing. That was very much the same tonight. The top lots were very keenly contested and that is how it has been at pretty much every sale for the last year so it was roughly as we thought it would be here.

"I think the horses have sold very well and we are more than happy with the way the whole sale has gone. It is good to see that the owners continue to have their trust in the Jockey Club in the way the sale is performing."

Nine of the lots sold for more than HK$5 million and the four tops lots hailed from Australasia.

Waikato Stud's late, great O'Reilly and Arrowfield Stud's multiple Champion sire Snitzel shared the honours for the top-priced lot. (all Photos Grant Courtney)

Lot 11 B G O'Reilly x - Iguazu's Girl by Redoute's Choice

A full brother to 4-time Group 1-winning miler Sacred Falls, this gelding was purchased by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for NZ$300,000 at the 2017 NZB Premier Yearling Sale at the Karaka. He was knocked down to Alessandro Palluzzi for HK$7 million (AUD$1.26m).

This colt is a three-quarter brother to the Group III MRC Thoroughbred Club Stakes winner Splashing Out (O'Reilly) who is an outstanding broodmare leaving the stakes-winners Splurge (Savabeel), Shopaholic (Pins) and Packing Pins (Pins) as well as the stakes-placed Spending (Pins).

Lot 17 B G Snitzel x Scarlett Lady by Savabeel

Sharing top-price was this Snitzel gelding who was an $870,000 purchase at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

That made him the most expensive lot purchased in the southern hemisphere and the second highest overall.

He was purchased by the Tang Tou Syndicate.

Scarlett Lady won the Group 1 New Zealand Stakes and the Group 1 Queensland Oaks and is a daughter of the Listed stakes-winner Iron Call (Ironclad).

Lot 15 B G Exceed And Excel x So Tempted by Jeune.

Another high-priced 2017 Easter Yearling Sale purchase at $800,000 was the Exceed And Excel colt out of the winning Jeune mare So Tempted that was knocked down to Tang Wai Bun Tony HK$6.5 million (AUD$ 1,169,065).

He is a half-brother to Happy Archer (Dubawi), a dual Group 1 winner in South Africa and to the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet winner Femina Fashion (Shamardal).

Lot 9 B G Hinchinbrook x Double Malt (CAN) by Whiskey Wisdom

A $200,000 purchase at the 2017 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, this gelding produced a healthy profit when purchased by Li Hailin Marvin for HK$6.2 million (AUD $1,258,993).

He is the second live foal of Double Malt who won the Listed stakes-races in Canada.