Residual value found in Christchurch Trotting Session

Day One of the Christchurch session saw yearlings from top level harness racing families in demand, coupled with a mixed day of selling at NZB Standardbred’s 2023 National Yearling Sale.

Demand was strong for quality trotting yearlings, with vendor Laura Smith being responsible for preparing three of the top five lots.

NZB Standardbred Manager Cam Bray commented on the results at the conclusion of selling.

“We have seen a trend of fillies with residual value selling for top level prices, in both Auckland and Christchurch this year,” Bray said.

“The good horses from quality families are selling well, which is not going to stop throughout the remaining Christchurch sessions.

“The middle and bottom end of the market tends to be a bit tough, particularly at this Sale, but our team will continue to work hard to get lots across the line and we will see the clearance rate continue to climb overnight.

“We are looking forward to the Sale of Pacers which commences tomorrow. We know there are some great horses catalogued, with outstanding pedigrees and types on offer,” Bray said.

The highlight of the day came when trainers Greg and Nina Hope secured Lot 174 for $130,000, a filly by Muscle Hill out of Paramount Faith (NZ) (Pegasus Spur). The stunning filly is a full sister to Group One winner Muscle Mountain (NZ), also trained by the Hopes.

Ben Hope, driver for Hope Racing Stables and son of Greg and Nina, commented on the significant purchase made on Day One in Christchurch.

“We fell in love with this filly. To be honest, we actually saw her not knowing her breeding and she immediately stood out to us,” Hope said.

“When we saw the pedigree page, we thought that we had to have her.”

Auckland-based trainer Tony Herlihy purchased the second highest-priced trotter, securing Lot 179, a colt by second season sire Tactical Landing out of San Diego Love (NZ) (Love You) for $100,000.

Both top lots were offered by Laura Smith on behalf of Taffy Ltd. Owner Todd Anderson was onsite in Christchurch to comment on the sale of the two yearlings.

“We have been lucky enough to have sold some quality lots today who have gone to good trainers,” Anderson said.

“We were rapt when we got a filly [Lot 174] out of the mare because of her pedigree. She was a nice filly, it’s always hard letting those ones go especially with Muscle Hill no longer standing at stud.

“The colt [Lot 179] was a standout foal as soon as he hit the ground. He is by a son of Muscle Hill in Tactical Landing out of a beautiful mare and was just an exceptional type. There aren’t many of them around.

“Laura does an outstanding job preparing the yearlings. It starts right from breeding them and then she foals them down. These results are a real credit to her and she is a great horsewoman,” Anderson said.

The Christchurch Sale of Pacers commences on Tuesday 20 February, with Lot 195 to 300 selling from 1PM (NZT).

Day Two of the Christchurch session will be beamed to viewers on Freeview Channel 200, with coverage streamed live at nzbstandardbred.co.nz and on NZB Standardbred’s Facebook page. Presenter Greg O’Connor will bring key sale highlights and interviews throughout the day and will host a Preview Show prior to the Sale of Pacers beginning tomorrow at 12:30PM (NZT).

All yearlings purchased at the 2023 National Standardbred Yearling Sale are eligible for the lucrative $1 million dollar Harness Million Sale Race Series.

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

View the Christchurch Day One highlights and lot-by-lot footage here.

From NZB Standardbred