South Island Sale Sees Big Crowd, Selective Buyers, Average Prices Hold Up Well

One of the biggest crowds ever seen at the Canterbury Sale Grounds was present for the 2003 South Island Sale today.

Demand at the top end of the market for the standout lots was strong, with a top price of $83,000 being well in excess of last year's highest price at $40,000. The top price was given by Kim Clapperton on behalf of leading Singapore based owner, Jerry Sung, for Lot 115, the colt by Kaapstad x Argentina.

A further two lots made $50,000 each, these being Lot 105, a gelding by Stravinsky x Woodwind purchased by Paul O'Sullivan and Lot 146 a filly by Marju x Dainty Diva purchased by the Robt Dawe Agency of Auckland.

Next highest price was $40,000 given Stuart Hale of Cambridge for Lot 97, a colt by Felix the Cat x Waikiki Princess.

The average price for the 2 Year Olds was a very respectable $9,815, a figure close to last year's average of $10,400 for all 2 year olds.

A total of 84 2 year olds were sold for an aggregate of $824,500 with a clearance rate of 54%. Last year saw a clearance rate of 57% for the 2year olds.

Leading buyer of 2 year olds was New Zealand Bloodstock as Agent for Macau, Singapore and Malaysia based clients.

Jerry Sung through Kim Clapperton was teh leaqding individual buyer with his $83,000 purchase. Buyers from Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales were active, as too were the leading local agents and trainers.

The sale overall achieved a satisfactory result, with aggregate sales across all lots at $971,550 for 118 lots sold, compared with last year's $1,011,500 for 120 lots sold.

The average price across the sale was $8,233 compared with $8,503 last year. The clearance rate today was 58% compared with 62% last year.

All results are listed on our website. Just click the View Results button beside the South Island Sale catalogue image on our homepage.