A Fusaichi Pegasus colt topped the leader-board on Day 1 of the NZ Bloodstock 2YO Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Tuesday.  The striking grey colt from the stakeswinning Danehill mare Skates fetched $340,000 to the bid of Hong Kong buyer Magus Equine.

Offered by Lyndhurst Farm, the half-brother to Group 1 winner Juste Momente (Giant’s Causeway) is the second highest lot to ever change hands at the Ready to Run Sale.

Magus Equine principal Willie Leung has been a regular buyer at the Karaka Ready to Run Sale and he arrived in New Zealand with a group of five trainers from Hong Kong including Me Tsui who will train the session-topper.

“He is a big, strong horse, a lovely mover with a good pedigree and was my top pick of the Sale,” Leung said.  “He’s a precocious type so we’ll be looking to take him up to Hong Kong straight away and target the griffin races in May and June.

“The sale is stronger than I expected but with the exchange rate it is still good value compared to Europe and Australia which is why we’re buying more here.”

Magus Equine heads the buyer list with three other purchases made during the day including $220,000 paid for the Darci Brahma colt from Group 3 winning Pins mare Rosetti Bay.

A total of 125 lots were sold on Day 1 for an aggregate of $6.59 million at an average of $52,744.  The clearance rate closed at 56%.

The top of the market is strong with 18 horses making six-figures sums during the opening session but the middle and lower ends face a bigger challenge.

“We have a much bigger catalogue this year and while that’s offered buyers a broader selection we knew it was going to make it very difficult to sustain last year’s figures,” NZ Bloodstock Co-Managing Director Petrea Vela said.  “The international buying bench has been as robust as ever but the domestic market is very quiet.”

DAY 1 TOP 10 LEADER BOARD

TYPE  PRICE        BREEDING
Colt     $340,000    Fusaichi Pegasus / Skates
Geld    $230,000    Not a Single Doubt / Spring Beauty
Colt     $220,000    Darci Brahma / Rosetti Bay
Colt     $200,000    Elusive City / Sunshine Gold
Geld    $180,000    Delago Brom / Wave Rock

Colt     $180,000    Dehere / Cautious Mission
Colt     $165,000    O’Reilly / The Wake
Colt     $160,000    O’Reilly / Riposte
Geld    $160,000    Commands / Tonic
Geld    $160,000    Zabeel / Classy Choice