The opening session of NZ Bloodstock’s three-day Select Sale on Wednesday saw a staggering 49% improvement on last year with the average reaching NZ$55,655. 

The first 206 of the 617 horses catalogued for the Select Sale at Karaka witnessed 148 lots sold for a total of $8.23 million.  The clearance rate settled at 77% at the end of the day’s proceedings.

The highest priced lot was Brighthill Farm’s full-brother to Vonusti who sold for $210,000.  Vonusti’s recent G1 Telegraph Handicap (1200m) victory helped the cause of his full-brother who was purchased by New South Wales-based Lucky Owners Syndicate. He was sold by Nick and Anne-Marie King’s Brighthill Farm, who sold Vonusti in the same session in 2008 for $28,000 to Lance O’Sullivan.

Currently heading the vendor list is Windsor Park Stud with nine lots selling for $611,000 including Lot 682 by Thorn Park from the stakes performed mare Shadowfax Babe (Volksraad).  The $150,000 colt was purchased by Hong Kong-based Magus Equine.

Again prominent in the Select sessions vendor list with the highest average is Hallmark Stud with four lots selling for an average of $110,000, over $35,000 higher than their final Select Sale average last year.

The leading buyer of the opening session has been David Ellis with five lots joining his 14 Premier purchases destined for Te Akau Racing’s Matamata stables at a cost of $390,000.

Also amongst those prominent on the buyers’ sheets on Wednesdaywere New Zealand buyers Wallace Thoroughbreds, Roger James, Rogerson Bloodstock plus international buyers John Foote, Bahen Bloodstock, Hawkes Racing and Laurie Laxon.

Day 2 of the Select Sale continues with Lots 691 to 900 on Thursday at Karaka.