$320,000 Darci 2YO Tops Strong Day of Trade

Trade gathered momentum throughout the day at the opening session of New Zealand Bloodstock's Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs at Karaka, to post increases on last year's results right across the board.

With impressive depth to this year's buying bench, a broad spread of buyers competed for the 180 catalogued lots on offer.

At the completion of Day One of the two-day Sale, 107 horses have been sold at an average price of $62,036 and turnover of $6,723,500.

With the average currently 15% ahead of the same point in the Sale last year, turnover is also up over $1.5m. The Sale median is up 19% to $38,000 from last year's final median of $32,000, and the day's clearance rate of 72% is well ahead of last year's final clearance of 59%.

Lot 146 topped day 1 of the Ready to Run Sale. The day was highlighted by the Darci Brahma gelding at Lot 146 http://www.nzb.co.nz/sales/sale.cfm?ped_search=lot&search=146&sale_id=158 fetching $320,000 to the bid of Singapore-based trainer Michael Freedman and local agent Michael Wallace, for Singapore owners Joy N Happiness stable.

The Joy N Happiness partnership is currently enjoying enormous success with its Darci Brahma colt Super Easy who is now a winner of six in a row. Super Easy was purchased by Freedman as a yearling at Karaka.

"This horse genuinely reminded me of Super Easy 12 months ago," commented Freedman.

"In my opinion he was the pick of the Sale. I liked the way he breezed up, and the guys that own Super Easy also loved the look of him, so we're very happy.

"He will stay in New Zealand at Henley Park for the next six to eight weeks before we take him up to Singapore."

From the winning Gold Brose mare Golden Dawn, the gelding was pinhooked from the Karaka Premier Sale as a yearling for $60,000 by Curraghmore Stud principal Gordon Cunningham.

"He breezed very well and was exceptionally popular on the sale grounds,and he's been bought by people who've had great success with Darci Brahma," remarked Cunningham.

"The level of inspection been very good today at Karaka. There are lots of people here from overseas and it seems that if you have the right horses there are plenty of people here to buy them."

The Oaks Stud's pair of stallions Darci Brahma & Bachelor Duke are currently heading the sires table by average (with three or more lots sold). Four Darci Brahma two-year-olds have sold for an average of
$147,250, with four by Bachelor Duke sold for an average of $71,875, with a top price of $130,000.

Lot 114

http://www.nzb.co.nz/sales/sale.cfm?ped_search=lot&search=114&sale_id=158 

There are a further five Darci Brahma entries and one Bachelor Duke catalogued for sale tomorrow.

At the end of the first day the leading buyer is Willie Leung's Magus Equine, with seven two-year-olds purchased for $785,000. This includes a top price of $220,000 paid for the Street Sense colt at Lot 113

http://www.nzb.co.nz/sales/sale.cfm?ped_search=lot&search=113&sale_id=158

The second top price of the day was $310,000 paid by Hong Kong trainer Ricky Yiu for the General Nediym colt at Lot 57. Offered by Lyndhurst Farm, the colt is closely related to the Group 3 winner Permaiscuous.

Mark & Shelley Treweek's Lyndhurst Farm is currently topping the vendor tables with eight of their 22 entries sold for $1,290,000 at an average of $161,250. Lyndhurst Farm has another 12 two-year-olds catalogued for sale tomorrow.

"The day started off a bit quietly this morning, but demand steadily got stronger and stronger throughout the day," says Co-Managing Director Petrea Vela.

"We're extremely happy with the turnout of buyers at Karaka. There are lots of familiar faces but also lots of buyers who are here for the first time from all over the world which is very encouraging. There's substantial
depth to the demand for the more appealing lots, but still buyers are being selective. There's over 170 lots set for sale tomorrow so hopefully the momentum seen this afternoon can continue."

Selling will continue at Karaka tomorrow with Lots 181 to 354. Breeze Ups clips can be viewed online at http://www.nzb.co.nz/ and the Sale will be streamed live online from 11am. 
Visit http://www.nzb.co.nz/sales/sale.cfm?sale_id=158&passedin=Y to view the list of horses that were passed through the ring today.

For news and information from New Zealand Bloodstock visit www.nzb.co.nz