The third and final session of New Zealand Bloodstock's 2012 National Yearling Sales Series concluded today at Karaka with a surge of activity that has resulted in a hugely successful 2012 Festival Sale.
Demonstrating the palpable strength to the middle market experienced throughout the day, the final median was $12,000, up a huge 41% on last year's $8,500 to match the $12,000 record set in 2008.
Added to that, the final average is this Sale's second highest on record and, at $15,300, is 26% ahead of last year's $12,072. This was accompanied by a strong 77% clearance rate, up significantly on last year's 62%.
In all, 308 catalogued lots have provided total takings of $3,197,800 for 209 sold, up 3% on last year's $3,054,250 where 44 more horses were traded.
New Zealand Bloodstock Co-Managing Director Petrea Vela says it has been an extremely pleasing conclusion to this year's Sales Series.
"We have experienced a very strong day of selling today at Karaka. With such tough international competition earlier in the week the locals have made up for it with depth and strength to their activity today. Both the Select and Festival Sales have held up strongly against last year's figures and to match the record median here today shows a robust display from the domestic market.
"Given the economic pressures the industry faces all around the world,
I think we can be very pleased with the outcome of this year's Sales Series. We
are very grateful for the support of all of our buyers and vendors from here
and overseas throughout the week, and wish buyers the very best of luck with
their Karaka purchases."
Last year's top price of $60,000 was exceeded three times today, the first time when the colt by Berkley Stud's resident sire Coats Choice (Redoute's Choice) from Illusive Hope (Spectrum) at Lot 1274 (pictured) was knocked down to Michael Stedman for $70,000 to become the top price of the Sale.
"He was purchased for a client of Lance Noble's and we are very happy with him," commented Stedman.
"The horse looks to be a good athlete with clean legs and decent x-rays and he looks like he has a good chance of running well. He was also very well prepared and is a credit to Berkley Stud.
"We have been impressed with the results of Coats Choice recently and this colt was just one of the most athletic looking colts on the grounds today.
"We are very pleased to be able to get a horse like him, we got him for
a little more than we anticipated but it was worth it to secure the horse we
were happy with."
The top price was matched late in the day at Lot 1417 with the colt (pictured) by Cecconi (Encosta de Lago) secured by Matamata trainer Graham Richardson. The leading buyer of the Festival Sale with five purchases for $143,500 at an average of $28,700, Richardson was very taken with the youngster.
"The colt was a real nice sort and I had to have him. I purchased him for a syndicate of friends and I paid a little bit more than I intended to but he was too nice a horse to let go.
"I'm very surprised with how strong the Festival Sale has been, I actually cannot remember a stronger Festival Sale, and there has been a good presence of kiwi buyers too which is good to see."
Next on the buyers list for the day was Rogerson Bloodstock with three purchased for $125,000 including the second highest price of the day, the Coat's Choice colt at Lot 1356 purchased for $65,000.
With Gerry Harvey's Westbury Stud providing the top price and highest aggregate of the Festival Sale with 20 yearlings sold for $447,500, the stud's young sire Cecconi was also the leading sire of the Sale with his four entries averaging $39,625.
The next on the sires list was also the leading freshman sire, with Guillotine's (Montjeu) six entries selling for an average of $29,250. This included a top price of $42,500 paid by John Bell Bloodstock & Racing for the colt at Lot 1228 .
The leading vendor by average at this session was Paul & Cushla Smithies' Monovale Farm, with four sold for an average of $29,625 including a top price of $42,500 for their Any Suggestion colt at Lot 1204 .
For details on any Passed Lots at the Premier, Select and Festival Sales visit www.nzb.co.nz . Combined statistics from the 86 th National Yearling Sales Series will be provided separately.
