KARAKA 2006: "Impeccable" $2.2 Million Colt Tops Day 2

A frenzied bidding war has seen the second highest priced colt ever sold at Karaka be knocked down to the bid of prominent New Zealand buyer, David Ellis of Te Akau Stud, for NZ$2.2 million.

The colt's Lot number was always a good omen: at Lot 341 it was the same as highest priced yearling, Don Eduardo (Zabeel x Diamond Lover), when he was sold at Karaka for a record NZ$3.6 million in 2000.

The Pencarrow Stud-bred colt by Stravinsky out of Group 1 Australasian Oaks winning mare, Grand Echezeaux (by Zabeel), is a half brother to New Zealand's champion two year old last season, and current hotshot three year old, Darci Brahma (Danehill). Darci Brahma was purchased by David Ellis in 2004 in similar sale-topping fashion, and is trained at Te Akau Racing Stables by Mark Walker.

The colt followed in the footsteps of his brother who topped the National Yearling Sales Series at NZ$1.1 million, but this time it took double that for Ellis to secure him from underbidder, Sam Kelt, of Keltern Stud in Hastings.

A jubilant Ellis said the yearling was "one of the most impeccable colts" he had ever seen. He remarked, "It is a great thrill to have bought what Mark Walker and I regard as the nicest colt in this year's Karaka Sale. He is by the sire of the leading fillies in both New Zealand and Australia, from the blueblood family of Peter and Philip Vela's through Grand Echezeaux, and is a superb individual. We are very proud to have secured him for the New Zealand breeding industry for the years to come and hope that he will reward his owners with similar success to Darci Brahma."

He will be owned and raced by a syndicate of New Zealand owners, from both the North and South Islands, some of whom also own shares in Darci Brahma but other owners new to the Te Akau stables. Ellis has already sold 9 of the 10 shares with just one share still to be sold.

Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Petrea Vela summed up the day's proceedings: "The Sale started steadily this morning but really stepped up a gear throughout the afternoon. The last three hours of selling were as strong as we have ever seen it at Karaka with today's results exceeding all our expectations.

"Not only was it very exciting to see the Stravinsky colt sell for $2.2 million, but it is a huge boost to our industry to see two New Zealand buyers fighting it out at the end, with Japanese and Australian buyers also in the battle. Good quality horses are certainly in high demand with buyers prepared to pay top dollar for Lots that meet their scrutiny. I hope that we can maintain this strength throughout the final day of the Premier Sale tomorrow."

The fierce ringside competition on Day 2 resulted in a record average for the day of NZ$149,772 and a sale average so far of NZ$131,925. The clearance rate has climbed from 76% on Day 1 to 79% on Day 2, with the sale median holding solid at $85,000. Gross takings are currently NZ$35,122,000 for 267 lots sold after 360 lots catalogued. After 360 lots catalogued last year, turnover was NZ$35,513,000 with 264 sold.

David Ellis is currently the leading buyer with 21 yearlings purchased for an aggregate of $4,935,000. He also bought the fourth top lot of the Sale so far, a filly by Dehere out of Fleur de Chine (by Centaine) (Lot 318) for NZ$700,000. Graeme Rogerson continued to be active ringside securing another 15 yearlings to bring his total so far to 25 lots for NZ$2,692,500.

Sire sensation, Redoute's Choice, also made his presence felt today, with a filly at Lot 343 out of Great Bouquet (by Zabeel) commanding NZ$725,000 from Australian bloodstock agent, Kieran Moore. The filly, sold by Bruce and Maureen Harvey's Ascot Farm, puts her sire at the top of the sires tables with an average of NZ$481,667 for three sold so far.

The third and final session of the New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale starts tomorrow at 11am with a further 156 lots catalogued for sale. Full results can be viewed online at www.nzb.co.nz.

2006 PREMIER SALE: Day 1&2 Results

First & Second Session Average (360 Lots Catalogued)	$131,925
2005 Average after 360 Lots	$134,519