Record top lot closes out the Christchurch session

On the final session of NZB Standardbred’s 2024 National Yearling Sale, a record top lot was witnessed at the Canterbury Agricultural Park.

The Christchurch session which saw a condensed two-day format, had a total of 267 yearlings catalogued and returned $7,549,000 in receipts.

Studholme Bloodstock’s Lot 301 broke NZB Standardbred records when the Bettor’s Delight colt out of Start Dreaming sold for $340,000 to the bid of TAB Racing Club.

The full-brother to Don’t Stop Dreaming is destined for the Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan stables who are delighted to secure the record-breaking yearling.

“We’re very grateful, he was the colt of the sale,” commented co-trainer Scott Phelan.

“He looks like a late two-year-old type but we’ll give him all the time he needs, and hopefully he can repay us.”

Brian West, principal of Studholme Bloodstock was elated with the result.

“After fifty years of selling, this is an amazing achievement here today.”

“You dream of results like this.”

The second top lot of the day came just two lots later when Lot 303 secured $130,000 to the bid of Western Australian-based buyer Justin Prentice. The Always B Miki filly out of Splendid Bet was offered by PI & PM Renwick Farm.

At the close of the Christchurch session, the leading vendor by aggregate was Laura Smith who sold 19 lots for more than $1.3 million in receipts.

“I’m incredibly proud of the final result,” commented Smith.

“We had a lot of nice types this year, I am over the moon and I’d like to thank all my clients for trusting me to prepare their horses.”

The leading buyer of the Christchurch session was Stonewall Stud purchasing 14 lots for $858,500.

NZB Standardbred Manager Cam Bray reflected on the condensed session.

“The Christchurch session felt like a game of two halves, but we certainly finished strongly on the second day.”

“To have the Australian spend up $1.2 million on last year is fantastic.

“It was great to see the competition on those quality lots, and that vendors were meeting market expectations here.

“We will continue to review the Sale as a whole and take into account if we need to revisit the format of the Christchurch session,” he added.

All yearlings purchased at the 2024 National Standardbred Yearling Sale are eligible for the lucrative $1million dollar Harness Million Sale Race Series.

To make enquiries about any Passed Lots, contact NZB Standardbred’s Cam Bray at +64 21 737 199 or email cam.bray@nzb.co.nz, or James Jennings on James.Jennings@nzb.co.nz or call +64 27 233 3333.

View the Christchurch session results click here.
View the Christchurch session highlights, interviews and lot-by-lot footage click here.

From NZB Standardbred