Kitchwin Hills sire Duporth topped Day 1 of the NZ Bloodstock National Sale with a colt that made $105,000 to the bid of Lyndhurst Farm.

Duporth is a G1 sprinting son of Red Ransom and his first-crop foal is from Zabeel mare Be Inspired, a sister to Rainbow Styling.  “We really liked his pedigree,” Lyndhurst’s Mark Treweek said.  “He’s out of a Zabeel mare, which are always very popular and we have also had reports from friends in Australia that Duporth produces very good sorts.

“He’s still a baby but he’s a good type with good colour and markings and we’re pleased to have got him.  He will be prepared for the 2013 Premier yearling sale at Karaka.”

Two colts by Mastercraftsman were next best on Monday’s leader-board at $70,000 and $65,000.  A son of Danehill Dancer, he shuttles to Windsor Park Stud and topped the foal averages on Day 1 with three sales at an average of $61,667.

Gordon Cunningham’s Curraghmore Stud provided the day’s top price, and six of the Top 10, is on target to become the leading weanling vendor for the seventh year in a row.  The stud’s entire selection of 18 weanlings on Day 1 sold at an average of $36,944.  Curraghmore has a further 8 weanling entered for Tuesday.

Cunningham was very positive about the buoyancy of the market at Karaka.  “The Sale has gone very well,” he commented.  “We’ve always taken this Sale seriously and raised and presented the horses well regardless of their value.  We’ve sold horses to every level of the market showing there’s been good demand across the board.”

After 230 catalogued lots, 157 have sold for $1.68 million at an average of $10,816 and clearance rate of 76%.

The Weanling session continues with a further 120 lots on Tuesday.  They will be followed by horses-in-training, yearlings, two-year-olds, unraced stock and racehorses.