Australasian Breds Dominate Hong Kong International Sale

Mark Smith - Sunday March 17

Both the average and median dipped 17 percent at the 2019 Hong Kong International Sale at Sha Tin on March 15 although Andrew Harding, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director, Racing expressed satisfaction with the result.

"The sale results are in line with our expectations. Some nice types have been offered to our owners which is always the overriding objective of the Hong Kong International Sale," Harding said.

"In terms of the results, it is a healthy average at HK$4.3 million and a profit of about HK$12 million."

Mark Richards, the Club's Executive Manager, International Sale, said:

"We have seen in the sales around the world that people are particular in their purchasing. That was very much the same tonight. The top lots were very keenly contested and that is how it has been at pretty much every sale for the last year so it was roughly as we thought it would be here.

"I think the horses have sold very well and we are more than happy with the way the whole sale has gone. It is good to see that the owners continue to have their trust in the Jockey Club in the way the sale is performing."

Nine of the lots sold for more than HK$5 million and the four tops lots hailed from Australasia.

Waikato Stud's late, great O'Reilly and Arrowfield Stud's multiple Champion sire Snitzel shared the honours for the top-priced lot. (all Photos Grant Courtney)

Lot 11 B G O'Reilly x - Iguazu's Girl by Redoute's Choice


A full brother to 4-time Group 1-winning miler Sacred Falls, this gelding was purchased by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for NZ$300,000 at the 2017 NZB Premier Yearling Sale at the Karaka. He was knocked down to Alessandro Palluzzi for HK$7 million (AUD$1.26m).

This colt is a three-quarter brother to the Group III MRC Thoroughbred Club Stakes winner Splashing Out (O'Reilly) who is an outstanding broodmare leaving the stakes-winners Splurge (Savabeel), Shopaholic (Pins) and Packing Pins (Pins) as well as the stakes-placed Spending (Pins).



Lot 17 B G Snitzel x Scarlett Lady by Savabeel


Sharing top-price was this Snitzel gelding who was an $870,000 purchase at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

That made him the most expensive lot purchased in the southern hemisphere and the second highest overall.

He was purchased by the Tang Tou Syndicate.

Scarlett Lady won the Group 1 New Zealand Stakes and the Group 1 Queensland Oaks and is a daughter of the Listed stakes-winner Iron Call (Ironclad).




Lot 15 B G Exceed And Excel x So Tempted by Jeune.


Another high-priced 2017 Easter Yearling Sale purchase at $800,000 was the Exceed And Excel colt out of the winning Jeune mare So Tempted that was knocked down to Tang Wai Bun Tony HK$6.5 million (AUD$ 1,169,065).

He is a half-brother to Happy Archer (Dubawi), a dual Group 1 winner in South Africa and to the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet winner Femina Fashion (Shamardal).






Lot 9 B G Hinchinbrook x Double Malt (CAN) by Whiskey Wisdom


A $200,000 purchase at the 2017 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, this gelding produced a healthy profit when purchased by Li Hailin Marvin for HK$6.2 million (AUD $1,258,993).

He is the second live foal of Double Malt who won the Listed stakes-races in Canada.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
Antrim Coast to Fly Flag for The Oaks Stud
The well-renowned colours of The Oaks Stud will feature across two feature Trans-Tasman meetings this week, kicking off with Antrim Coast lining up in the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.