"The initial focus of the trip was to exhibit at the China Horse Fair, which gives equine industry participants the platform to showcase their products and services to a multinational audience," said Anthony.
"Our stand was extremely popular and we were met with great enthusiasm by potential site users from several different countries. It was even more rewarding to meet up with people who were already members of our site and were very complimentary on its user-friendliness."
Bloodstockauction.com exhibited alongside vendors from France, Japan, Sweden, The Netherlands, Argentina, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Ireland, Belgium, Singapore and of course, China.
With several developing Asian countries opening up their Thoroughbred breeding and racing industries, an alternative method of buying international horses with full disclosure was welcomed.
"Australian and New Zealand horses have traditionally performed well in Asia and the expanding market opens up many selling opportunities forBloodstockauction.com's local vendors," stated Anthony.
Also visiting Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore and Penang, Anthony was accompanied
by one of his New Zealand team members and the two were kept very busy
attending race meetings and liaising with trainers, owners and industry
professionals over the two week trip."Asian buyers have been impressed by the amount of information we and our vendors provide and that they have been assisted with organisation of travel and quarantine requirements by our staff."
Recent Bloodstockauction.com sales have resulted in several 'ready to run' horses sell to Singapore; a stallion and unraced stock sell to Jakarta; and a Hong Kong buyer who purchased horses to initially run in Australia and New Zealand.
"This trip has confirmed to me that Bloodstockauction.com can truly be a global company," said Anthony, "and that our next stepping stone is the booming Asian marketplace."
Already with offices and sales teams in Australia and New Zealand, Anthony Gafa was also on the lookout for a suitable venue for an Asian office.
The most recent Australian online sale saw a 'ready to run' 2yo Choisir colt sell locally for $55,000 and an Animal Kingdom 2yo gelding sell for an undisclosed amount to Singapore. Both had videos and x-rays available for viewing on the site and had previously been passed in through other sales companies.
This auction, which launched with 107 lots, had a very impressive overall clearance rate of 87%, including 17 yearlings, which all sold.
The next Australian auction will launch on the 1st December at 7pm and run through until the 6th December. To view the catalogue after launch, head to Bloodstockauction.com.
