Day Two at Booming Karaka

The staggering results of Day One at New Zealand Bloodstock's Premier Sale flowed into Day Two on Tuesday at Karaka, with a $2 million colt by New Zealand's own champion sire Zabeel eclipsing yesterday's millionaire lot and the overall average rising by 26% on last year.

The third-equal highest price ever to go through the Karaka sale ring, Lot 373 (pictured) from the Danehill mare Diamond Like was knocked down to the bid of Sydney-based bloodstock agent James Bester.

Bester was glowing in his praise for the colt from Cambridge Stud.

"What attracted me to this colt was his quality. Physically he's the best yearling I have ever seen in the southern hemisphere.

"Chiefly I buy on conformation and this colt was exceptional, but to also present with the best page in the sale is extraordinary. Zabeel on Danehill is outstanding, and a very fast mare more to the point to counter Zabeel's staying influence.

"It was easy to spend that sort of money when you know the background the horse has had, and being from Cambridge Stud, from that family, I had every confidence."

Bester purchased the colt for a small group of Australian owners who race horses with a number of trainers and are yet to decide the lucky stable that this colt will join.

One of Lot 373's underbidders, David Ellis, was more successful later on in the sale when he secured Lot 431 for the second highest price of the day at $1,300,000.

The Redoute's Choice three-quarter brother to Darci Brahma offered by Pencarrow Stud will form part of a syndicate of four colts purchased by Ellis over the past two days.

Ellis was equally enamoured with both of today's top colts.

"They were both outstanding colts prepared by the best studs in the southern hemisphere and it was impossible for me to split them. But I'm thrilled to have got this one. He has the same qualities as Darci Brahma and has been a beautiful individual since the day he was born.

"It has been extremely hard work competing with the Aussies over the last couple of days. The sale has been incredibly strong but we're delighted with our selection."

The strength of the Karaka sale was evidenced by another set of remarkable figures from today's trade, with the final average the second highest in history at $183,119, up 26% on last year's $145,710.

Turnover was up a massive $10 million for fewer horses sold, representing a 22.5% increase from $53,330,000 to $63,373,500.

The sale median ended up at $135,000, up 35% on last year's $100,000, and the clearance rate climbed steadily to 79%, ahead of last year's 77%.

New Zealand Bloodstock Co-Managing Director Petrea Vela says the Premier session has been a huge success.

"We couldn't be happier with the results of the past two days. There are a lot of delighted vendors at Karaka tonight who have had their expectations completely surpassed. The strength of the buying bench has been thoroughly overwhelming and has demonstrated to us the hot demand there is for the product we offer here.

"There's still five days to go but we are thrilled with the outcome of the Premier Sale and are very grateful to both buyers and sellers for their support to post such successful results for the industry."

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