The 2017 edition of the National Yearling Sales Series: South Island Sale drew to a close at the RDA Building in Christchurch today after an action-packed day of inspections and bidding.
A total of sixty-one horses sold for receipts totalling $1,070,000 to a strong domestic and international buying bench.
Internationally renowned bloodstock agent John Foote led the buying, purchasing a total of four yearlings for $116,500, including Lot 1 a colt by Jakkalberry out of Ultra Explosive purchased in partnership with Darren Weir.
Foote has had good success with South Island Sale graduates including Listed Tasmanian Oaks winner Parthesia (NZ) (Raise the Flag) and Unfurl (NZ) (Raise the Flag). He commented that "my regular attendance at the sale is because of the improved quality on offer and my recent success with purchases from past sales".
The highlight of the day came at Lot 100, a Rock 'n' Pop yearling filly out of The Glitter, knocked down to the bid of Beltana Stud principal Richard Rutherford.
"I really liked the pedigree of this filly which I specifically purchased her for," said Rutherford.
"Ravelston don't sell too many from this iconic 'The' family so it was a rare opportunity to secure a quality bloodline. She will be nominated for the Karaka Million Series and ultimately will join our broodmare band".
Rutherford was determined to acquire her and outlaid $87,000 to do so, the highest price paid at the Sale since 2012.
Vendor representative Rob Denis, the next generation of the famous Denis Brothers, was "especially happy to see her go to such a good home".
Beltana Stud achieved the highest price of any yearling offered this Sales Series in Lot 10selling for $825,000 at the Premier Sale.
Lot 33 offered by Mansfield Farm was the second price highlight of the day. By Ekraar out of Eurotec, the brown filly caught the eye of trainer Graeme Rogerson.
"Sir Patrick Hogan persistently encouraged me to come down to the sale and support the South Island breeders.
"My pick of the Sale was Lot 33 the Ekraar filly. She's a lovely filly that will be syndicated and entered in the Karaka Million Series" said Rogerson.
White Robe Lodge was once again crowned leading vendor, selling twelve yearlings at an average of $19,500. Principal Wayne Stuart was pleased with the overall result commenting that "there was good depth in the buying bench with plenty of local and international representation. We look forward to marketing the first foals by Ghibellines to buyers next year".
Leading sire by average (three or more sold) was White Robe's Raise the Flag, achieving an average of $19,833 for six horses sold.
The final result of the Sale saw an aggregate increase of 61% on the 2015 edition, but behind last year's record-breaking result. The clearance rate stayed constant at 71% and the average was on par with last year at $17,541.
NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook was "confident that the Sale would be stronger than 2015, but would be a hard act to follow on the record breaking 2016 result".
"The quality of the Southern product is going from strength to strength and we are delighted to have achieved the results we did for our vendors.
"It would be fair to say that the experience for our vendors and buyers at the RDA venue is greatly improved. We look forward to coming back next year," said Seabrook.
For a one-off entry fee of $2,500 (+GST), all yearlings purchased at the South Island Sale are eligible to be nominated for NZB's enhanced Karaka Million Series with entries closing at 5pm on Friday 19 May.
2017 South Island Sale Statistics
| 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
| Aggregate | $1,070,000 | $1,447,100 | $655,250 |
| Average | $17,541 | $17,435 | $10,401 |
| Median | $13,000 | $15,000 | $6,000 |
| Clearance | 71% | 92% | 64% |
| Catalogued | 106 | 98 | 108 |
| Sold | 61 | 83 | 63 |
| Top Lot | Lot 100 Rock 'n' Pop x The Glitter $87,000 | Lot 76 Raise The Flag x Legal Note $52,500 | Lot 50 Per Incanto x Silver Cent $82,500 |
Top Lots
| Lot | Type | Breeding | Vendor | Purchaser | Location | Price |
| 100 | BR.F | Rock 'n' Pop / The Glitter | Ravelston Stud | Mr RH Rutherford | Christchurch | $87,000 |
| 33 | BR.F | Ekraar / Eurotec | Mansfield Farm | Rogerson Bloodstock | Hamilton | $70,000 |
| 83 | B.C | Rip Van Winkle / Silky Oak | Ballybin NZ | Mr E Sullivan | Indonesia | $50,000 |
| 1 | B.C | Jakkalberry / Ultra Explosive | Berkley Stud | Mr J Foote / Mr D Weir | Victoria | $42,500 |
| 35 | B.C | Raise the Flag / Flyby | White Robe Lodge | Phill Cataldo Bloodstock | Whanganui | $40,000 |
| 28 | BR.C | Zacinto / Di Cee | Park Hill Stables | Phill Cataldo Bloodstock | Cambridge | $37,000 |
| 74 | B.F | Highly Recommended / Samphire | Three Valleys | Regal Farm Partnership | Cambridge | $30,000 |
| 93 | B.C | Highly Recommended / Swapping | White Robe Lodge | Mr M Pitman | Malaysia | $30,000 |
| 3 | B.C | Raise the Flag / Upclosenpersonal | White Robe Lodge | Mr J Foote / Mr D Weir | Victoria | $28,000 |
| 10 | BR.F | Nadeem / Zenno Queen | White Robe Lodge | Mr J Foote / Mr D Weir | Victoria | $28,000 |
| 36 | B.F | Highly Recommended / Flytaine | Mansfield Farm | Mr SB Marsh | Cambridge | $28,000 |
| 41 | B.C | Highly Recommended / Howbaddouneedit | Three Valleys | Pike Racing | Cambridge | $28,000 |
