Australian Breds Dominate at Hong Kong International Sale

Travelling the world spending other people's money sounds like the dream job however it brings its own set of pressures for the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Mark Richards.

Entrusted to find suitable prospects for the Hong Kong International Sale, Richards' job looks safe for another year at least judging from the results of the unique sale held on Friday at Sha Tin Racecourse.

After two withdrawals 29 geldings sourced from sales around the world went under the hammer.

The sale hit new heights last year with the HK$8.5-million sale topper, the Starcraft gelding Jing Jing Win, while the star of the sale Pakistan Star (Ger), a charismatic son of Shamardal, is strongly favoured in Sunday's Hong Kong Derby.

Lot 16 Hussonet - Almah $HK10.5m A$1,761,745 (Inglis Premier $160k)

Armed with the knowledge that Chinese buyers like to stick with what has already worked in Hong Kong, Richards purchased a son of the deceased Hussonet (USA) (photo top by Grant Courtney) at the 2015 Inglis Premier Yearling sale for $160,000.

Hussonet is the sire of Sha Tin Group 1 winners Glorious Days and Contentment and the Cornerstone Stud consigned colt is a son of  the Champion Older Female Stayer in South Africa, Almah.

That $160,000 purchase set a new benchmark for the International Sale when knocked down to Peter Lau for $HK10.5m (A$1,761,745).

Almah is the dam of South African Group III winner and Group I placed Sensible Lover (Good Journey) who was purchased by bloodstock agent James Bester for $27,500 at the 2013 Inglis Premier Yearling sale.

Lot 24 Holy Roman Emperor - Lapland $HK9.0m A$1,510,067 (Goffs Orby 200k Euro)

While Australian- breds dominated the sale with five of the top six lots it was a  €200,000 purchase at the 2015 Goffs Orby Sale that clocked in as the second top lot when purchased by Liu Yu Wen for HK$9 million.

There are few more popular sires in Hong Kong than Aquis Farm shuttler Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) with Designs On Rome (Ire), Rich Tapestry (Ire) and Beauty Only (Ire) leading the charge.

This gelding is the out of the unraced Linamix mare Lapland a half-sister to French Listed winner Law Of Chance.

Lot 7 More Than Ready - Zingalong $HK7.5m A$1,258,389 (Inglis Easter $450k)

A son of More Than Ready (USA) out of the Group III Birthday Card Stakes winner Zingaling was knocked down to Brian Leung for HK$7.5 million.

He was purchased out of the Macquarie Stud draft at the 2015 Easter Yearling sale for $450,000.

Lot 21 Street Cry - Extension Of Time $HK7.5m A$1,258,389 (Inglis Easter $460k)

Another Easter Yearling graduate clock in equal third highest price.

The son of Street Cry out of the stakes winning Dash For Cash mare Extension Of Time was purchased by Wong Ling Ling.

Extension Of Time is a daughter of the wonderful racemare Nina Haraka, from the family of Group I Lightning Stakes winner and Golden Slipper runner-up Snitzerland and Kitchwin Hills new stallion Sooboog.

 Lot 10 Duporth - Baby Corn $HK7.2m A$1,205,054 (Inglis Easter $180k).

A $180,000 purchase out of the Kitchwin Hills draft at the 2015 Easter Yearling sale, this son of Duporth was knocked down for $HK7.2m A$1,205,054.

A son of the stakes-winning Exceed And Excel mare Baby Corn, this gelding is a brother to Cornrow who has placed in the Group I Blue Diamond and Group I ATC Sires' Produce Stakes.

Lot 23 Smart Missile – Eyelean $HK7.2M $A1,205,054 (Magic Millions $280k).

Consigned by Glastonbury Farm to the 2015 Magic Millions Yearling sale, this gelding made a significant profit on his $280,000 purchase price as a yearling.  

He is the second foal of the Galileo mare Eyelean a half-sister to South African Group II winner Super Profit (Spinning World) out of the multiple stakes winner Asian Incline (Slant).

Mr. Anthony Kelly, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director of Racing Business and Operations said: "We are very pleased with tonight's results which clearly exhibited the enthusiasm of our Owners and their recognition of the quality bloodstock sourced by the Club from the world's top sales."

The Hong Kong International Sale was held in a night-time slot for the second consecutive year and was preceded by a cocktail reception for guests.

"Following last year's success in an evening format, the Hong Kong International Sale has continued its growth as an elegant event for our Owners. This is a unique setting for a thoroughbred sale and the exciting journey of ownership begins anew tonight," said Mr. Kelly.

"Last year's International Sale produced a BMW Hong Kong Derby runner in Pakistan Star, who has already made a profit in a racing career spanning just nine months and represents the promise of any purchaser anywhere. That's what we want for our Owners – to provide them with the chance to chase a dream. We look forward to what these horses will achieve in the future and wish the best of luck to their new connections."