A Savabeel colt sold Jan. 30 at Karaka for $200,000 ($163,407 in United States funds), the highest price through two days at New Zealand Bloodstock's select yearling sale.
Cumulative sales, average, and clearance rate have exceeded last year's figures while the median is unchanged with one session remaining at the three-day auction.
Overall, 304 horses have sold for total sales of $14,175,000 ($11,586,843), up 10.7% from the opening two sessions in 2013. Strength at the top of the market was evidenced by 32 horses selling for $100,000 ($81,608) or more, compared with 21 over the first two days last year.
The average price $46,628 ($38,104) is up 3.7% while the median is static at $37,500 ($30,645). The clearance rate of 75% improved from last year's 70% at the same point in the sale.
The session-topping Savabeel colt sold in the Goodwood Stud consignment to NZB, agent. Out of the Redoute's Choice mare Run Brony Run, his extended family includes Canadian Horse of the Year Fanfreluche, dam of two-time Canadian Horse of the Year L'Enjoleur and champions Medaille d'Or and La Voygeuse.
John Cameron, NZB's international sales manager, purchased the colt for an unnamed Hong Kong client.
"He's a very good type; he obviously has a lot of quality and has a very good walk and a good temperament; in fact I think he's very much like Savabeel," Cameron said. "He'll stay in New Zealand and get broken in and developed and then head to Hong Kong in May or June next year as an unraced horse."
Waikato Stud stallion Savabeel, a son of Zabeel, leads the select sale sires list by total gross thus far and ranks fifth by average. With 18 of his offspring selling for an average of $61,667 ($50,351) and a total of $1,110,000 ($906,286), he is the only sale sire to break the seven-figure mark in receipts.
The New Zealand Bloodstock select yearling sale continues with the third and final session Jan. 31 at Karaka.
