New Zealand Bloodstock's South Island Sale, which will be held in Christchurch on April 21, is developing a reputation for offering incredible value for money, with a number of high-quality racetrack performers bought for relatively low prices.
Few horses fit that description better than one of this season's star New Zealand sprinters, Signify (NZ) (Perfectly Ready), who has earned more than 60 times his purchase price for Alex and Tracey Cowan.
Purchased for $5,500 at the 2013 Sale, Signify has won nine of his 33 starts for prize-money in excess of $330,000. This season the South Island speedster has raced to two brilliant black-type victories at Trentham – the Group 1 Telegraph (1200m) in late January and the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) two months later.
"We didn't pay a lot for him at the South Island Sale," Alex 'Snooky' Cowan said. "He's won more than $330,000 for us now, which is amazing. He's done so well for us."
Another remarkable example is Natuzzi (NZ), who cost $9000 at the 2010 Sale. The Coats Choice gelding has won 11 of his 43 starts and has earned more than $560,000 in stakes – more than 62 times his purchase price.
In addition to stakes wins in the Group 3 Concorde Handicap (1200m) and Listed Newmarket Handicap (1200m), Southland Guineas (1600m), J Swap Sprint (1400m), and two runnings of the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m), Natuzzi has also recorded five Group 1 placings – the Telegraph, Railway Stakes, Haunui Farm WFA Classic and two runnings of the NRM Sprint.
Black-type success for value purchases at the South Island Sale also stretch across the Tasman. Parthesia (NZ) (Raise The Flag) cost $20,000 at the 2015 Sale and has so far won two races and more than A$86,000 in stakes. After an 1800-metre maiden win at Horsham, the filly stepped up to black-type level and won the Listed Tasmanian Oaks (2100m).
Parthesia's buyer, internationally respected bloodstock agent, John Foote never misses the South Island Sale. "I really enjoy my annual visit to the South Island Sale. I've been coming since the days of the Noble Bijou's and have enjoyed much success. The horses are tough, sound and good value".
Overall there have been 16 black-type victories recorded by South Island Sale graduates in the last five years, with the three mentioned above joined on the list by the likes of Pepper Mill (NZ) (Patapan), Iffwedance (NZ) (Iffraaj), Absolutely (NZ) (Coats Choice), Eclair Samba (NZ) (Ekraar), Pizzazz (NZ) (Bertolini), Capone (NZ) (Al Akbar), Martin (NZ) (Colombia) and the two-time New Zealand Cup-winning stayer Blood Brotha (NZ) (Danzighill).
A few years earlier, Cherry Creek (Monashee Mountain) went through the 2006 South Island Sale and went on to win eight races and more than $97,000 in stakes including the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m).
She has also been a successful broodmare, producing Coulee (NZ) (Gallant Guru), the winner of eight races to date including the Group 3 White Robe Lodge Handicap (1600m) and Group 3 South Island Breeders' Stakes (1600m).
The 2017 Sale catalogue features Lot 87, a Raise The Flag half-brother to Cherry Creek from the draft of perennial leading vendors White Robe Lodge.
Lot 33 is a full-sister to Eclair Samba, who is mentioned above. Secured at the 2011 South Island Sale for $44,000, Eclair Samba won nine of his 21 starts for prize-money of A$237,595. His biggest win came in the Listed Birthday Cup (2032m).
An added benefit of the inclusion of the South Island Session in the National Yearling Sale Series is that any yearling purchased is eligible to enter the lucrative Karaka Million Series, including the $1m Karaka Million in 2018, the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic in 2019, and the $100,000 Karaka Stayers Cup from 2018 and then for the duration of their racing careers.
The South Island Sale will be held at the Riding for the Disabled Building at the Canterbury Agricultural Park in Christchurch on 21 April 2017, commencing from Lot 1 at 11am.
The New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Association; Canterbury Westland, Marlborough, Otago Branch warmly invite you for complimentary drinks and nibbles from 5pm on Thursday 20 April 2017, at the RDA Building, Canterbury Agricultural Park.
NZB Release
