Another successful sale in Christchurch

Today’s NZB Standardbred Yearling Sale in Christchurch had a new found energy about it and certainly the top end excelled.

Stonewall Stud secured twelve yearlings, shelling out $895,000 and it was great to see the stable continue to investment in the trotting gait.

They bought four high priced trotters: a What The Hill colt out of Queen Kenny for $170,000, a Bold Eagle – Girls On Film filly for $110,000, and Bold Eagle – Millies Gift colt for $60,000. They also bought a Bird Parker – Nieta colt offered by Yabby Dam Farm for $180,000 whose third dam is La Coocaracha.

“The Sale has gone a lot better than I thought. Hats off to NZB and what’s happening in harness racing New Zealand. It’s great to be part of it. The La Coocaracha family is going great and it doesn’t matter whether it’s a colt or a filly, the whole family seems to be throwing very good horses,” said Pat Driscoll, Yabby Dam Farm Principal.

Yabby Dam Farm also sold the top trotting lot at the Auckland sale, a Face Time Bourbon colt out of Dance Craze for $240,000 and they’re pledging to return to the sales with more stock.

Last year’s sale produced fourteen yearlings that were knocked down for $100,000 or more, this year there were twenty.

Todd and Fleur Anderson (Taffy Ltd) offered eight lots today which collectively sold for $985,000.

“You come into the day not knowing what’s going to happen and you just hope they’re going to be well received, go to a good home and get a good opportunity. It’s about averages and we’ve had a great day. There are a lot of things happening in the industry. There was a bigger crowd here today and a lot more money to go around,” Todd said.

Mahomes, a Captaintreacherous colt out of Imaginary Bet which is a full brother to Captains Mistress and a half to Merlin, sold for $160,000 and was purchased by Hayden and Amanda Cullen.

The Anderson’s Bettor’s Delight colt out of nine win mare Imagine Me was picked up by Cran Dalgety for $270,000.

“He’s just a replica of Krug. I was a bit desperate. I got a bloody nose in Auckland and I just wanted to get in early today. The Scuse Me blood is the most electric bloodline in the industry at the moment. I hope I can say he was cheap in twelve months,” Dalgety said.

In total Dalgety paid $823,000 for five colts and two fillies.

The Andersons also sold a Captaintreacherous – De Lovely colt for $150,000, a Bold Eagle – Girls On Film filly for $110,000, a Bettor’s Delight – Tandias Bromac colt sold to Dean Shannon for $85,000 and a Bird Parker – San Diego Love colt which was bought by Barry Purdon for $85,000.

“We’ve been great supporters of Haras des Trotteurs from day one and Bird Parker really stood out for me because he was pretty much like his sire Ready Cash,” Todd said.

Democrat Party continues to prove her worth for Winton breeders John and Katrina Price. Her three foals through the sales ring have now earned the couple $600,000.

Republican Party sold for $210,000, War Party $240,000 in 2024 and today Tour Party fetched $150,000.

“You come along wanting to buy from your head but sometimes you buy from the heart,” Dalgety, who bought Republican Party in 2020, and Tour Party today, said.

There were plenty other success stories and it’ll no doubt take a day or two for some of the passed in lots to be tidied up. Once they’re all squared away a clearer picture of the sale overall, will emerge. But there was certainly a positive vibe in the air today.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink

To see more details about the sales click here