Positive build up to Karaka Weanling Sale
The New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale will get underway 10am (NZT) on Thursday.
The one-day auction features 118 thoroughbreds after withdrawals including weanlings by a host of proven and emerging sires, with opportunities for pinhookers and end-users alike.
Proven sires such as Savabeel (Zabeel), Per Incanto (Street Cry), Proisir (Choisir), Shocking (Street Cry), Satono Aladdin (Deep Impact), Shamexpress (O’Reilly), Ocean Park (Thorn Park), Spirit Of Boom (Sequalo) and Almanzor (Wootton Bassett) are well represented, along with rising star Super Seth (Dundeel).
The second crop of emerging young sires Noverre (Savabeel) and Sword Of State (Snitzel) will also be keenly sought after while the first stock by Windsor Park Stud’s Group 1-winning son of Deep Impact (Sunday Silence), Profondo (Deep Impact), will be presented to market on Thursday.
Windsor Park’s marketing manager Michael Moran was pleased with the foot-traffic at Karaka over the past few days as the Cambridge nursery presented a draft of six weanlings including Lot 59, a well-made colt by Profondo.
“It has been pretty good. We have some nice horses here that have been well found,” Moran said.
“We have got a lovely colt by Profondo out of a Shamexpress mare in Shamani. He’s attracted a lot of attention and is a quality colt with a lot of style and is a great representation of the stallion.”
Seaton Park are represented by 11 weanlings, including a good-moving colt by outstanding sire Per Incanto out of the stakes-winning Shamexpress mare London Express.
“This is our second day up here, and I’m thrilled with the turnout. We have got relevant stallions and that will always get people to the gate and after that, it is all about type,” Seaton Park’s Scott Eagleton said.
“I believe the Per Incanto is probably our standout. He is a terrific type. He looks like a horse that the pinhookers will love. He has a lovely big walk on him and you can just see that there will be real improvement to him as a yearling.”
Gordon Cunningham’s Curraghmore was last year’s leading vendor and is represented by an eight-strong weanling draft this year.
“I have been very encouraged by the level of inspection. There seems to be very good intent from those inspecting our horses and I feel like our horses are presenting well,” Cunningham said.
“You have to be bringing horses to the sales that you’ve got confidence that the market will be there for.”