Records tumbled for a fifth consecutive year when the NZB Ready to Run Sale concluded on Thursday.

Turnover of $28.39 million for 294 sales was up 22% while the average of $96,575 surpassed last year by 5%.  The median increased 17% to $70,000.

Along with the record statistics, a new record price was set on Day 1 of the Sale with Lyndhurst Farm’s Sebring three-quarter brother to Criterion making $650,000 to Ultra Thoroughbreds.

Lyndhurst Farm also provided the top price for Day 2 of the Sale with the Reward for Effort colt from Street Cry mare Minnie Deal knocked down to Anton Koolman Bloodstock on behalf of Unifaith Bloodstock for $360,000.

Leading buyer was Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis who purchased 10 horses for $1.52 million topped by the Savabeel colt from Prima Park for $280,000.

Another record to be set was the number of horses to be sold for $300,000 or more, with 13 horses reaching that mark, an increase from the 10 sold last year.  There were a record 42 horses that sold for $200,000 or more, surpassing the 32 lots that sold for that price or more last year.

Australia was the leading buying bench with 77 horses purchased for $10.05 million followed by Hong Kong (51 horses for $7.22 millions).

New Zealand buyers purchased the largest number of horses, securing 94 lots for a total spend of $6.58 million spearheaded by David Ellis.

Lyndhurst Farm was the leading vendor again by aggregate selling 17 horses for $3.73 million.  They held the title from 2007 – 2012 and again in 2014.

The leading sire by average (three or more sold) was Sebring who had four of his progeny sell for an average of $300,250.

NZB’s Managing Director Andrew Seabrook was pleased to see an increased spend from the Australian buying bench across the two days of selling.  “In a Sale that has traditionally been dominated by the Asian market, it was very encouraging to see a large contingent of Australian guests who ended up spending $2.8 million more than last year.

“The clearance rate was disappointing but that was always going to be a challenge with 150 more horses on offer than last year.  Hopefully, we can improve that over the next few days.”

KARAKA LEADER
Top-priced Sebring colt purchased by Ultra Thoroughbreds