A $1 million Fastnet Rock colt has topped FBAA buys during Book 1 of the NZB Yearling Sale at Karaka.
Mark Pilkington Management lodged the final bid for the Curraghmore Stud colt that knocked out underbidder Trent Busuttin. He is from Group 1 winner Diademe (Savabeel) and was purchased in partnership with Lindsay Park Racing.
Pilkington recently brokered a deal with Cooolmore Stud for Group 1 winner Merchant Navy on behalf of the same syndicate. “I’ve had a bit of luck with the Fastnets through Merchant Navy, so I love the breed,” Pilkington said. “He’s a big athletic colt in the same style as Merchant Navy.
“It would be nice if this horse heads down the same path. It’s a lot of money and hopefully we’ve got it right.”
Pilkington also bought Fastnet Rock fillies from Seachange ($450,000) and Amory Lane ($360,000) for Lindsay Park. “The Seachange is a nice type of filly by the right stallion out of a gun mare,” he added. “It would be very hard to buy a filly of that stature in Sydney or Melbourne.”
DGR Thoroughbred Services expanded his client list at Karaka with colts by Savabeel, Iffraaj, Pierro, Dundeel, Reliable Man and a filly by Tavistock.
The Savabeel colt out of stakes-winning mare Aspinal (Pins) was purchased in conjunction with trainer Mick Price for $360,000. “It’s our first partnership with DGR,” Price said. “He’s a real stud master’s colt.”
The $130,000 Dundeel – Lady Who (Commands) colt is from the family of Group 2 winners New Predator (Sth Africa) and Serena Miss (NZ). “Delighted to have secured the Dundeel colt with Duncan,” trainer Bjorn Baker said. “He’s one of the best judges in the game.”
John Chalmers Bloodstock left Karaka with fillies by Showcasing, Fastnet Rock, Iffraaj, Tavistock, Ocean Park and filly and colt by Reliable Man for a total spend of $1,035,000.
Top-price was the Showcasing – Fantasy World filly from Jamieson Park. She’s a full-sister to Raghu (RL Karaka 3YO Mile) and made $250,000.
Astute Bloodstock’s Louis Le Metayer was another Jamieson Park buyer parting with $260,000 for the Sacred Falls – Cyclonic colt. To be trained by Ciaran Maher, he is a half-brother to Group 1 winner Historian (Zabeel Classic, Thorndon Mile).
Randwick Bloodstock Agency’s Brett Howard signed five sale sheets including a Per Incanto filly ($120,000) and Foxwedge colt ($115,000) on behalf of Mystery Downs owner Frank Cook.
Little Avondale Stud sire Per Incanto was popular at Karaka and the RBA filly is from a half-sister to Sydney & Melbourne stakes winner Marquardt (Shamardal).
Howard’s leader was a $220,000 Tavistock – Kilfenora filly from Cambridge Stud. A late November foal, she was purchased for a NSW client and is from a sister to Zabeel’s Group 1 winners St Reims and Champagne.
Sheamus Mills Bloodstock was also active as bloodstock advisor for YuLong Investments owner Zhang Yuesheng with 7 lots totalling $1,455,000.
The Savabeel – Sitting Pretty filly from Waikato Stud accounted for $625,000 of that spend. She is from a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Metal Bender.
The filly will be trained by Ciaron Maher after the YuLong team won out over stiff competition. “They were intent on a beautiful filly,” Waikato Stud’s Mark Chittick said. “The bidding began quietly and became quite fierce – we are rapt with where she is going.”
NZ Bloodstock’s new format at Karaka paid dividends over the four sessions of Book 1. The key stats exceeded expectations for turnover ($83.54 million), average ($155,007) and clearance rate (82%).
Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia (FBAA) was formed in 1988 to maintain, improve and develop the standards, status and services of bloodstock agents throughout Australia. Its members operate with the utmost integrity and professionalism and are bound by the strict Industry Code of Conduct.
The list of FBAA members can be viewed at: www.bloodstockagents.com.au
MILLIONAIRE COLT BY FASTNET ROCK