Recent race results have provided numerous significant pedigree updates for New Zealand Bloodstock's South Island Sale, which will be held at the Riding for the Disabled Building at the Canterbury Agricultural Park in Christchurch on 21 April.
One of the yearlings has a close relative who has won a Group 1 race since the catalogue went to print.
Lot 5 is closely related to Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), who won the Karaka Million earlier in the year and has since won the Group 1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes.
Several other yearlings are related to recent Group 1 placegetters. Lot 29 is a half-sister to the decorated stayer Who Shot Thebarman (NZ) (Yamanin Vital), who has added a fourth placing in the Group 1 BMW to his long list of achievements.
Lots 45 and 61 are both from the same family as Tulip (Pierro), who won the Group 3 Magic Night Stakes and was third in the Group 1 Golden Slipper, and Hi Happy (Pure Prize) who ran fourth in the Group 1 Santa Anita Handicap. Lot 61 also comes from the family of Group 1 winner I Am A Star (NZ) (I Am Invincible), who has also picked up recent victories in the Group 2 Kewney Stakes and Sunline Stakes.
Lots 73 and 104 are closely related to Dixie Blossoms (Street Sense), who finished third in the Group 1 Coolmore Legacy (Queen of the Turf) Stakes during The Championships at Randwick.
Lots 98, 99 and 100 are all related to Sircconi (Nicconi) who won the Group 2 VRC Sires' Produce Stakes and was fourth in the Group 1 ATC Sires' Produce Stakes.
There are many other pedigree updates involving Group 2, Group 3 and Listed races. Lot 50 is from the same family as Elle Lou (Snitzel), who won the Group 3 Aspiration Handicap. Lot 75 is related to All Roads (NZ) (Road to Rock), the winner of the Group 2 Japan-New Zealand International Trophy.
Lots 87 and 93 are from the same family as leading South Island mare Coulee (NZ) (Gallant Guru), who recently won the Group 3 South Island Breeders' Stakes for the second time. Both yearlings are also from the same family as Ducimus (Snitzel), who ran second in the Group 2 Pago Pago Stakes.
Lot 101, whose first season sire Highly Recommended has now produced three winners in New Zealand, is closely related to the smart three-year-old sprinter Ferrando (Fast 'n' Famous) who won the Group 3 Mr Tiz Trophy. Kingsman (NZ) (Darci Brahma), who ran third in that race, is from the same family as Lot 31.
Lots 14 is related to Leading Role (NZ) (Darci Brahma), who ran third in the Group 3 Manawatu Classic.
Lot 65 is from the same family as Dothraki (Mossman), who was runner-up in the Group 3 Maurice McCarten Handicap.
Following the withdrawal of Lot 105, there is currently only one supplementary entry to the South Island Sale catalogue. Lot 106, offered by K. M. James, is a filly by Captain Rio out of the Danzighill mare Lifter.
South Island Sale graduates have delivered several star performances on racetracks this season, headed by Signify (NZ) (Perfectly Ready) who won the Group 1 Telegraph and Listed Lightning Handicap. Parthesia (NZ) (Raise The Flag) won the Listed Tasmanian Oaks, and Natuzzi (NZ) (Coats Choice) won the Group 3 Concorde Handicap and recorded his fifth Group 1 placing when he ran second in the NRM Sprint.
Southern stallions continue to deliver results with recent blacktype placings and wins recorded for progeny of two high-profile Southern sires.
Berkley Stud's Highly Recommended sired recent Group placed Joyfilly (NZ), who ran third in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes in April and placed second in the Group 2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes in February.
And White Robe Lodge's Gallant Guru sired Listed winners Tommy Tucker (NZ) and Patrick Erin (NZ), the former winning the Listed Canterbury Jockey Club Cup over Easter and the latter claiming the Listed Riverton Cup a week earlier.
The South Island Session of the National Yearling Sales Series is your last opportunity in 2017 to secure a yearling 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 for the duration of their racing careers.
The Sale will be held at the Riding for the Disabled Building at the Canterbury Agricultural Park in Christchurch this Friday, commencing from Lot 1 at 11am. Purchasers are encouraged to register as a buyer or appoint an agent online prior to the Sale. Printed catalogues will be available for collection at the Sale.
The New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Association; Canterbury Westland, Marlborough, Otago Branch warmly invite you for complimentary drinks and nibbles from 4pm this Thursday, at the RDA Building, Canterbury Agricultural Park.
