Day 1 of NZ Bloodstock’s National yearling sale was highlighted by a $740,000 Stravinsky filly purchased by David Ellis of Te Akau Stud.

The filly from Cambridge Stud was out of Magic of Sydney mare Jesmond’s Gift, an unraced half-sister to Canny Lad and Canny Lass.  “She is a beautiful filly with a lovely outlook and a lot of class,” Ellis said of his purchase. “You have got to be prepared to pay for the best fillies and we were prepared to do that.

“Stravinsky is a very good international sire of fillies and we are going to aim her for the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series.  Te Akau has a great record winning four of the last six titles.”

Ellis was the leading buyer of the day with 14 purchased for $2.40 million at an average of $171,607.  His second top price was $200,000 paid for the Danehill Dancer colt from Thunder Gulch mare Anatomy offered by Pencarrow Stud.  The dam is a half-sister to Saturday’s G2 Wellington Cup winner Six O’Clock News (Zabeel).

Cambridge Stud sire Stravinsky sits in second place on the leading sires table after Day 1 with a half-dozen yearlings sold for an average of $252,500.  Heading him off for the top spot was Coolmore Stud sire Encosta de Lago, with three sold at an average of $280,000.

A pair of yearlings by High Chaparral also shared the limelight with a colt and filly both fetching $650,000 apiece.

The High Chaparral – Creil colt from Lyndhurst Park was knocked down to the bid of Hong Kong agent Willie Leung.  “We thought he was the best High Chaparral in the Sale and we were very keen to get him,” commented Leung.  “The horse will remain in New Zealand for at least 18 months for training and we will race him here in New Zealand before deciding whether he is good enough to send to Hong Kong.”

The High Chaparral filly from the five-time winning Danehill mare Diamond Like was snapped up by Gai Waterhouse & James Harron Bloodstock.

High Chaparral is the most represented of any sire at the 2012 Premier Sale, with 35 yearlings entered from his last New Zealand conceived crop.  So far, 25 have sold for an average of $200,800.

A huge international buying bench turned out at Karaka and competition was tough on selected lots.  But, in a similar trend to many sales of late, buyers were being selective.  By the close of play, 170 lots had sold for $24.81 million at an average of $145,985 and clearance of 70%.

The Premier Sale continues on Tuesday at Karaka with Lots 217 to 516.  It will be followed by the three-day Select Sale from Wednesday.