Per Incanto makes $190,000 at solid renewal of the NZB Karaka Weanling Sale
A colt by Little Avondale Stud’s Per Incanto (Street Cry) topped what was a solid day of trade at Thursday’s New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka National Weanling Sale, with James Mitchell signing for the youngster on behalf of Jim Carey for NZ$190,000.
Offered by Seaton Park as Lot 13, the colt is the second foal out of Castletown Stakes (Listed, 1200m) winner London Express (Shamexpress), who was also placed at Group 3 level.
“The colt was born on the farm and was bred by some long term clients,” Seaton Park’s Scott Eagleton told ANZ News.
“He just oozes quality. If he didn’t make his money today we were happy to bring him back in January but we gave him a chance and he has delivered so we couldn’t be happier with the result so we wish the purchasers good luck. They have bought a really nice individual.”
Mitchell, who was present at the Karaka complex, said the colt would likely head back through the ring as a yearling in Australia.
“He is the nicest colt here and is a good running sort,” Mitchell said.
“My pick of the sale. Love the Per Incantos who just keeps going. The colt would be accepted in any yearling sale and we just need to decide which one, whether it is Easter or Melbourne. We definitely bought him to trade.”
Per Incanto is carving a high-class reputation for himself in Hong Kong, siring 47 winners from 70 starters in the jurisdiction. Mitchell said he thought the top-seller would present an opportunity for Hong Kong buyers when he is ultimately offered at the yearling sales.
“We’ve put together a syndicate to buy a few colts to be traded at yearling sales next season, and I thought this was the nicest colt here and my pick of the sale,” said Mitchell.
“I see him as a real Hong Kong type of horse. He’ll have a lot of appeal with that market. Per Incanto has sired a lot of winners there, and being out of a Shamexpress mare, he’s a reverse of the cross that produced Ka Ying Rising.”
Late in the day, Lot 139, a colt from the Waikato Stud draft by their resident sire on the rise Super Seth (Dundeel) fetched $130,000, bought by Nicky and Toby White of Kaha Nui Farm.
The colt is out of three-time winner Queen Leonora (Savabeel), and hails from the family of dual Group 1-winner Legs (Pins).
The Whites, who were the top buyer at the sale securing three lots for a combined $300,000, plan to take the youngster back through the ring in January at the Karaka National Yearling Sale.
“The sire, Super Seth, is on fire,” Toby White told ANZ News. “La Dorada here in New Zealand is an outstanding filly and in Australia he has had three Group 1 winners as three-year-olds so buying this colt is sort of a safe bet. We thought he was the top colt in the sale. He is well balanced, well put together and has a good attitude. He’ll be back here in January.
“We’re really happy with the horses we came away with. We managed to get the two colts that I thought were the two nicest here, and we picked up a speedy-looking filly by Bivouac as well.”
“They’re the progeny of three exciting young sires. It’s amazing what Super Seth has done on the track lately and there’s a bit of talk about him, so it was great to secure such a nice colt by him today.
“The plan now is to take them home, try to turn them into athletes and then take them back to Karaka for the yearling sales in January.”
“With it being the 100th year, it is exciting. I think if we can have a good draft and turn them into what we want to, it will be fun.”
Super Seth, a resident at Waikato Stud, has enjoyed an enormous 12 months with runners with his six stakes winners headed by four at the highest level; La Dorada, Feroce, Linebacker and Maison Louis.
Lot 99, the sole filly by Satono Aladdin (Deep Impact) on offer, and out of Blue Rhythm (Pentire), an unraced sister to Listed scorer Sacred Rhyth, was knocked down to Noble Bloodstock, Prima Park and Bevan Smith Bloodstock for $120,000.
Bloodstock agent Bevan Smith said: “She’s an elegant filly and by the right sire. We think the Aussies will like what they see when we present her here in January. Kelly [Van Dyk] knows what to do. We may have paid good money but she is still good value.”
Rich Hill Stud’s Karl Mihaljevich added: “She was a gorgeous filly and a great walker with a bomb-proof temperament. She hasn’t turned a hair since arriving on site. If she has been bought to pinhook we can’t wait to see her development.”
It was also a successful day for Windsor Park Stud, who sold Lot 59, a colt by their resident first-season sire, Spring Champion Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) winner Profondo (Deep Impact).
The colt was one of four foals by Profondo offered in the sale and the stallion finished the day with a leading for an average (with three or more sold) of $62,500.
Paul Pertab secured the most expensive of the stallion’s quartet, going to $85,000 for the colt offered by Windsor Park. The youngster is out of a winning half-sister to Adelaide Guineas (Listed, 1600m) winner Grand Chancellor (Savabeel).
“I saw him for the first time today but several good judges suggested I take a closer look,” Pertab told ANZ News. “He’s a lovely type and I have a lot of time for the stallion. We will probably trade him but it might not be for the yearling sale as we might wait for the Ready to Run Sale.
“I wouldn’t mind getting a couple of Noverres too. I have two now and they are showing me plenty. I think they will be racing before Christmas.”
Mike Moran, marketing manager at Windsor Park, was pleased with Profondo’s overall sale results, with the young-sire leading the sale by average.
“A beautiful colt and well found. There were several good judges on him. He went past his reserve easily. The stallion has been a dream to market and he covered big books his first two seasons and we already have 120 booked for this season so he is getting every opportunity.”
Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State was another young sire to enjoy a strong sale, with his nine lots totalling $438,500.
The most expensive of that cohort was Curraghmore’s half-brother to Group 3 winner Torranzino (Tarzino), who was knocked down to Kaha Nui Farm for $120,000.
Early on in proceedings, Elsdon’s Park Sword Of State filly out of winning mare O’Carol (Rip Van Winkle), a half-sister to dual Listed winner Odeon (Zacinto), was bought by Cameron Cooke Bloodstock for $90,000.
It was no surprise to see Cooke snare the filly, having purchased her brother for $320,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale earlier in the year.
He said: “A good physical type who we bought as an investment. Back in January we bought her brother who is with Chad Ormsby and the youngster is showing us plenty. If he does what we think and we have his sister, it will be good for us and good for the filly, beyond that we might trade but we are not 100 per cent sure about that yet.
Elsdon Park’s Kerrie Cox added: “The filly was a good result for us but she is all quality bought by good judges. We are glad that Cameron bought her as it could be a real opportunity to capitalise on their yearling purchase of his brother back in January.”
Sale statistics
2025 2024
Catalogued 144 150
Offered 115 133
Sold 84 (73%) 77 (58%)
Aggregate $2,410,000 (-3%) $2,485,000
Average $28,690 (-11%) $32,273
Median $15,000 (-16%) $18,000
Top Lot $190,000 $170,000