A Duporth colt brought NZ$105,000 ($83,474 in U.S. funds) to top the opening day of New Zealand Bloodstock’s national weanling, broodmare, and mixed bloodstock sale May 7 at Karaka in New Zealand. Pinhookers Mark and Shelley Treweek of Lyndhurst Farm purchased the brown weanling from Gordon Cunningham’s Curraghmore Stud.
The colt is out of the Zabeel mare Be Inspired, who failed to win in five career races, but finished third twice. She is a full sister to 2010 Durban Naturalism Stakes (Aust-III) winner Rainbow Styling and a half sister to 2011 Styletread Birthday Card Stakes (Aust-III) winner Zingaling (by Redoute’s Choice).
“We really liked his pedigree,” said Mark Treweek of the colt. “He’s out of a Zabeel mare, which is always very popular as he’s a great broodmare sire, and we have also had reports from friends in Australia that Duporth (by Red Ransom) produces very good sorts.
“He’s still a baby, but he’s a good type with good color and markings, and we’re pleased to have got him,” Treweek added. “He’ll be aimed at the premier (yearling) sale at Karaka (in) 2013.”
The results for the first day included a gross of NZ$1,689,150 ($1,342,860) for the 157 weanlings that were sold. The average price was NZ$10,816 ($8,599) and the median price was NZ$3,400 ($2,703).
The median was the same as a year ago, when 151 horses were sold. But the gross and average declined 15% and 17.8%, respectively.
New Zealand Bloodstock reported that the clearance rate was 76% compared to 77% in 2011.