The weanling portion of the New Zealand Bloodstock national weanling and broodmare sale ended May 4 in Karaka with increases from a year ago of 58.9% in gross revenue, 26.3% in average price, and 23.1% in median price.
"The general consensus amongst weanling buyers here is that nice horses were commanding good money, and there was good competition on the selection of most appealing lots,” said Petrea Vela, New Zealand Bloodstock’s co-managing director. “The reality, though, is that unfortunately there is very limited demand for the lesser pedigreed horses, particularly fillies, which was reflected in the clearance rate (80%, which was down from 88% in 2009). However we can still take heart from the solid demand that continues for good commercial stock."
The gross for the 336 weanlings that sold was NZ$3,826,450 ($2,791,750 in U.S. funds). The average was NZ$11,388 ($8,309), and the median was NZ$4,000 ($2,918).
The top price in the final session for weanlings was brought by a NZ$130,000 ($94,847) Pins colt out of the winning Danehill mare Dane Shakira, who finished second in the 2003 Coolmore Handicap in Australia. Dane Shakira is a full sister to Australian group II winner Saxon.
New Zealand Bloodstock reported it purchased the weanling for a local breeder. Shelby Park consigned the colt.
Also May 4, the first 136 of the broodmare offerings went through the sale ring, and 91 were sold for NZ$884,850 ($645,579). The average was NZ$9,724 ($7,095).
Miller’s Pride brought the top price of NZ$60,000 ($43,776) from Tim Stakemire, who purchased her for Sheikh Mohanned bin Khalifa al Maktoun. Pencarrow Stud was her consignor.
An 11-year-old unraced daughter of Lammtarra, Miller’s Pride is in foal to Darci Brahma. She is the dam of the five-time winner Steel Cut (by Danehill).
