That
overall return represented an increase of more than four percent on the 2013
HKIS (March) auction, while the average rose by 11 percent compared to last
year. The sale, held on the eve of the BMW Hong Kong Derby, is the second of
two this season, following the December instalment of the HKIS.Trainer Tony Cruz left with the day's top lot, a Commands gelding out of the Bluebird mare Oh So Discreet, after owner Wong Shing Ngai secured the athletic two-year-old with a bid of HK$5.2 million ($A742,857).
The star colt is a half-brother to Group I SAJC Australasian Oaks winner Maybe Discreet and Group III winner Just Discreet being from the very good producer Oh So Discreet.
The colt was purchased by the HKJC in New Zealand at the Premier Yearling Sale from the Ascot Farm draft for $425,000 and was a very successful pinhook having been initially purchased at the Magic Millions Weanling Sale from the Rothwell Park draft for $140,000 by Ascot Farm.
A Lonhro colt from Oh So Discreet sold earlier this year at Magic Millions fetching $320,000 when secured by Danny Bougoure from the Rothwell Park draft.
There is quite a story attached to the mare Oh So Discreet, who was given away prior to achieving commercial success and that story can be read here.
"All in all it was a good sale: we had a couple of sires relatively new to Hong Kong, like the New Approach, so there was a good balance in the catalogue, which gave the buyers plenty of choice," said Mr William A. Nader, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director of Racing. "Given the quality of the horses on offer, there was some good value out there, and the hope as always is that these horses will progress well and give the owners customer satisfaction."
"The top price was HK$5.2 million, so it didn't go too high, and I would say the prices throughout the sale were realistic – hopefully the buyers will come out of it in good shape. We have always said this is not a money-making exercise, that it is about providing quality horses for our members and owners to buy, and overall, if we factor in all the costs around this and last December's sale, it's just about a break even for the Club this season and hopefully a win for the owners."
The 2014 HKIS (March) average was HK$3.3 million while the median was HK$3 million.
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