NZ Bloodstock’s Winter Sale next Friday, August 5, boasts a promising line-up of breeding prospects with a number of stakes winning and stakes producing mares.

Among the highlights is Stravinsky mare Diamond Babe who is the dam of G2 winner Blackie.  She will be offered by Hallmark Stud as Lot 19 in the Winter Mixed Sale.  

Now trained by Michael Kent at his Cranbourne base in Victoria, Blackie has won 4 times in 6 starts for $130,000 in stakes.

Blackie (Black Minnaloushe) broke his maiden status at Rotorua beating eventual G2 Championship Stakes winner Hidden Asset (High Chaparral) and that performance caught the eye of astute bloodstock agent Phil Cataldo.

“I was in the market for a nice three-year-old at the time,” Kent said.  “Phil recommended a nice Black Minnaloushe three-year-old.  I looked at the form and the horse, liked him, so we bought him.”

The purchase turned out to be a successful one for his new connections as Blackie racked up three consecutive victories for the team culminating in the G2 Phar Lap Stakes at Rosehill.

“We had Phar Lap earmarked well in advance and he beat a strong field and really showed that he was right up with the top three-year-olds.”

With Blackie now back in training, connections are looking forward to a big spring with some feature races on the cards.  “He’s come back from a spell in great shape, he has really strengthened up,” Kent added.  “There are some attractive options for him including the G1 Toorak Handicap and the G1 Emirates Stakes.

“We have a very high opinion of the horse and are confident that there is a big spring in front of him.”

New Zealand Bloodstock’s Winter Mixed Bloodstock Sale will be held at the Karaka sales complex next Friday, August 5 from 1pm.  To order a catalogue please contact NZB at reception@nzb.co.nz or call 0011 649 298 0055.