44%
of Australia's Group I events for three year-olds were won last season by New Zealand breds and
that's a powerful reason to be heading to Karaka in 2014.
The new grandstand at Royal Randwick was a hive of activity for bloodstock
enthusiasts last week with the Inglis Easter Preview launch on Tuesday held at
the brand new The Stables venue as was New Zealand Bloodstock's annual cocktail
party on Friday to celebrate their 2014 NZB National Yearling Sale Series.
The Kiwis embark on an Australia wide tour at this time every year distributing
catalogues and spreading the message of success achieved by New Zealand
thoroughbreds throughout the world, but in reality the horses do the talking!
Last season in particular was a boomer for the Kiwis with their three year-olds
racking up a remarkable sequence of wins.
Led by glamour colt It's a Dundeel, who won the Sydney Autumn Triple Crown of
Randwick Guineas, Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby, the three year-olds
proved a formidable force with Sacred Falls, Norzita, Gondokoro, Ferlax and
Shamexpress all claiming Group I victories.
They weren't just in staying events either, with Shamexpress winning the Group
I VRC Newmarket Handicap, Australia's greatest handicap sprint and Sacred Falls
taking the Group IATC Doncaster Handicap, Australia's greatest handicap mile.
The trend has continued this season with Kirramosa capturing the Group I VRC
Oaks to give her young sire Alamosa a dream result in producing an Australian
Group I winner from his first crop of foals.
The idea of going to New Zealand just to buy a stayer is an outdated myth of
times past, with the modern New Zealand thoroughbred capable of just about
anything.
There are some 1400 yearlings catalogued over the entire National Yearling Sale
Series with the majority of Australian buyers focusing on the Premier Sale of
469 lots and the Select Sale featuring an additional 619 lots.
Tried and true favourite Kiwi sires such as Darci Brahma, O'Reilly, Pentire
(GB), Pins, Savabeel and Thorn Park are all well represented, while the mighty
Zabeel has 30 yearlings to choose from.
Among the Zabeel consignment is a colt from outstanding producer Parfore, the
dam of seven winners led by Singapore champion Super Easy, Group III winner
Tiger Tees, stakes-winner Our Lukas and the promising Terravista, who finished
second in the Listed ATC Festival Stakes last Saturday.
High Chaparral (IRE) made his reputation from his early years shuttling to
Windsor Park Stud in New Zealand and despite his subsequent transfer to
Coolmore Australia has good numbers at Karaka with 22 catalogued for Premier.
One of his highlights will be the half-brother to top class Perth filly Miss
Rose de Lago, winner of the recent Group III WATC Champion Fillies Stakes, a
colt from Crimson Dawn (GB).
Mastercraftsman (IRE) was the big player among the first season sires in 2013
and has already sired a stakes-winner in Jackofall in New Zealand as well as a string
of winners from his first Northern Hemisphere crop led by Group I winner
Kingston Hill.
He's back again with 18 yearlings in Premier, while the first season sire focus
in 2014 will be on Makfi (GB), Rip Van Winkle (IRE) and Melbourne Cup winner
Shocking.
A triple Group I winning son of Galileo, Rip Van Winkle has impressed breeders
by his similarity in appearance to his champion sire and there is much
enthusiasm about his yearlings, so Windsor Park Stud will be hoping he can pick
up where High Chaparral left off.
The champion Australian sires invariably play a role at the top end of the
market with Fastnet Rock providing the sale-topper in 2013, his colt from
Celebria selling for $1,975,000.
The Coolmore heavyweight has 17 entries for Premier with the first foal of
Champion NZ 3YO Filly Katie Lee, winner of the Group I NZ One Thousand and Two
Thousand Guineas looming as a potential star.
Offered for sale by Cambridge Stud, the bay colt will be offered on day one as
Lot 73 and should get this sale away to a flying start!