Karaka Yearlings Get New Hong Kong Owners
17 March 2009
Ten graduates of the Karaka Premier Sale formed part of the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Subscription Griffin Scheme which was allocated on Saturday evening.
The HKJC's unique Subscription Griffin Scheme sees 25 horses go into a ballot, with each horse drawn at random by a HKJC permit holder. The draw took place on Saturday, the second time since the Scheme's re-introduction in 2008, over two decades after the original Griffin Scheme ceased.
Subscription Griffins are highly sought after and all Hong Kong Jockey Club members are entitled to apply for the coveted 25 places in the ballot scheme each year. All members who apply then go into a random ballot draw to decide which 25 permit holders, along with reserves in case of default, will own a Subscription Griffin.
Each registered HKJC Subscription Griffin Permit Holder is then guaranteed a griffin - the Club's term for an unraced horse - which is usually an unraced two-year-old.
The specific horse the owner gets to race is also decided by a ballot draw. The draw takes place at a special luncheon where horses are assigned to owners, who will then announce the name of the trainer who will receive the griffin to train. After the luncheon the new owners are escorted by bus to see their new charges in the flesh.
Ten Karaka graduates made up this year's Griffin Scheme, all geldings.
New Zealand Bloodstock's International Sales Manager John Cameron was very pleased with the 2009 consignment purchased at Karaka by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. All horses have been broken-in, educated through the barriers, and worked up to strong three-quarter pace over the past fourteen months by Bruce and Maureen Harvey's Ascot Farm.
"We have had a very close relationship with the Hong Kong Jockey Club for a long period of time which dates back to the original Subscription Griffin Scheme over 30 years ago."
"Our 2009 consignment was a very even group, and in my opinion they were superior to the 2008 consignment. As a whole they had more pedigree, and they were certainly attractive, athletic individuals who came through their education, training, and development extremely well."
"Generally, I think they have excellent potential to be highly successful racehorses for their new owners in Hong Kong."
The ten Karaka graduates were assigned to the following HKJC permit holders:
1. Bay Gelding: Johannesburg - Brave Reaction (Success Express)
By Group 1 racehorse and sire Johannesburg, he is a $110,000 Karaka purchase from Curraghmore Stud. An outstanding winning family, this gelding is a half brother to three winners, and a full brother to this season's Listed WATC Aquanita Stakes fourth placed African Action.
Drawn by: Chan Chung Bun Bunny
2. Bay Gelding: Pins - Cenphic (Centaine)
This son of top Australasian sire Pins is a $120,000 purchase from Waikato Stud. His dam Cenphic is the dam of Group winner Irlanda, and the stakes placed Hong Kong galloper Maverick Star.
Drawn by: Ma Ching Fat
3. Bay Gelding: Towkay - Clermont Lass (Centaine)
By Armada's sire Towkay, this gelding is a $110,000 Karaka purchase from Little Avondale Stud. He is a half brother to Group winner Igauzu, the dam of Group winner Splashing Out, and Clermont Lass, the dam of Group winner Grand Dancer.
Drawn by: So Shek Wing and Leung Sek Cheung Frederick
4. Bay Gelding: Van Nistelrooy - Dubai Century Military Plume)
By the sire of Hong Kong Derby hopeful More Bountiful, he is a $100,000 Karaka purchase from Chequers Stud. His dam is a half sister to Nicola's Lass, the dam of five time Group 1 and Dubai bound Niconero, and promising Group winning 3YO Nicconi.
Drawn by: Ho Ting Wai Danny and Wong Lap Man
5. Bay Gelding: Black Minnaloushe - Eastend (Bigstone)
The most expensive New Zealand griffin at $130,000 from Wentwood Grange, this gelding is by Storm Cat's son Black Minnaloushe. He is a half brother to classy Group mares Leigh Valley and Kruger Valley.
Drawn by: Lee, Sean Sammy
6. Chestnut Gelding: Bertolini - Goodness Me (King's Island)
By Medic Power's sire Bertolini, this Gelding is a $60,000 purchase at Karaka from Rich Hill Stud. He is a half brother to outstanding Hong Kong galloper Win Again, and also to Johnson who has won in Hong Kong this season.
Drawn by: Financial Investors Group Syndicate
7. Brown Gelding: Keeper - Meranti (Woodman)
Representing the most successful Hong Kong sireline, this gelding is by successful Danehill son Keeper. A $120,000 purchase at Karaka from Cambridge Stud the brown shares Group 1 winning grand-dam Hold That Smile with unbeaten South African Zabeel gelding Oracy.
Drawn by: Chan Wing Fai Jacky
8. Bay Gelding: Dubai Destination - Singing Angel (Rahy)
By Group 1 racehorse and sire Dubai Destination, this gelding is a $100,000 Karaka purchase from Westbury Stud. His dam is five for five, and these include thirteen time and Listed winner Tornado Alley. His second, third and fourth dams are all stakes mares.
Drawn by: Tse Chi Ho
9. Bay Gelding: Stravinsky - Sugar Moon (Zabeel)
A $90,000 Karaka purchase from Cambridge Stud, this gelding is by international sire success Stravinsky. He is the first foal of a Zabeel mare Sugar Moon, a three quarter sister to Group 1 Brisbane Cup winner Dupain, and also a close relation of Group 1 VRC Oaks and Group 1 VRC 1000 Guineas winner Tristanagh.
Drawn by: Ting Wing Cheung Sherman
10. Chestnut Gelding: Choisir - Twilight Hour (Star Way)
This gelding by international Group 1 sprinter Choisir is a $100,000 Karaka purchase from Ascot Farm. He is from stakes winning Sydney mare Twilight Hour, from the family of Sequita, Never Quit, Super Sequel and Captain Kurt.
Drawn by: Grassland Syndicate
All attention now turns to next weekend for the staging of Hong Kong's most prestigious race, the HK$16,000,000 Mercedes Benz Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on Sunday, March 22. The field of 14 includes 5 New Zealand-bred gallopers, who in the past five years have been most outstanding in winning with Vital King, Vengeance of Reign, and Lucky Owners.