Vinery legend More Than Ready topped Day 1 of the NZB Karaka yearling sale with a colt headed for Hong Kong.

Sold to Byerley Park-based training duo Bruce Wallace and Allan Peard for $500,000, he is a half-brother to NZ Concorde Hcp Gr.2 winner Ego and carries the successful More Than Ready – Danehill cross through his dam Buckling (Redoute’s Choice).

“He has been bought for a Hong Kong client but will be educated in NZ before a decision is made on where he will race,” Peard said.  “The price was over what we were initially prepared to pay so we were lucky to secure him.

“He’s a beautiful horse and looks a sprinter who may get a mile as a three year-old.  He could be a stallion one day with a Group 1 on top of that pedigree.”

Buckling has also foaled the NZ stakes performers Ready Steady (Perfectly Ready) and Sans Souci (Pins).  “We can’t believe how well he sold.  He was well under the radar,” Haunui Farm’s Mark Chitty said.  “It exceeds our wildest dreams, just a fantastic result.

“He handled things well and was easy to prep for his owner Daniel Nakhle who puts a lot into the industry.  We’re all delighted.”

More Than Ready’s filly from Group 2 winner Dolmabache (Redoute’s Choice) is bred along the same lines and she was purchased for $320,000 by Waikato agent Michael Hughes.

The Pencarrow Stud filly is related to Group 1 winners Ethereal, Grand Echezeaux and Darci Brahma.  “She’s from our foundation family,” Pencarrow manager Leon Casey said.  “She will continue to develop and mature, hopefully into a classic filly.”

Westbury Stud’s More Than Ready colt from Miss la Frenz (Zabeel) was bought by Shadwell Estates agent Hubie De Burgh for $230,000.  His dam is a daughter of Furious Stakes Gr.3 winner Moonflute (Danehill).

More Than Ready colt sells for $500,000 at Karaka