In less than two weeks, 61 southern bred yearlings will make their sale ring appearance at New Zealand Bloodstock's South Island Sale – many presented by the same vendors of stakes-winning graduates of the Sale.
Often seen leading the vendors by aggregate table, perennial consignor White Robe Lodge will present the largest draft at the Sale with 12 lots catalogued. Not only have they succeeded in the sale ring, but they have also produced stakes winnersCivil Disobedience(NZ) (Raise the Flag) and Parthesia(NZ) (Raise the Flag) from this Sale in recent years.
Their resident sire Ghibellines, who will offer his second crop of yearlings, accounts for seven of their lots. The farm's Ghibellines x Stage Flash colt (Lot 98) fetched the second-highest price at the Sale last year. Other sires represented include the likes of the late Pentire, champion sire in Singapore Darci Brahma, Group One producer Per Incanto and second season sire Proisir.
Lot 24is a colt by Proisir and half-brother to two stakes performers inSupernova(NZ) (Elusive City) andMonkey Magic(NZ) (Golan), whileLot 57is a filly by Per Incanto out of stakes winnerCherry Creek(Monashee Mountain) – the dam of Group Three winnerCoulee(NZ) (Gallant Guru).
Long Acres Stud, who often bring a draft north to the Karaka Yearling Sale, will present six lots in Christchurch. Stakes winnerThe Gordonian(NZ) (Remind) was sold through their draft as a two-year-old at the Sale when it formerly catalogued mixed bloodstock.
This year their draft offers a selection of sires and well-performed families includingLot 22, a Pins filly being a three-quarter sister to Group One winner and Karaka Million 3YO Classic winnerMadison County(NZ) (Pins), andLot 28, a Jimmy Choux filly from the family of Champion StayerCharles Road(Myboycharlie) and Singapore Horse of the YearWar Affair(NZ) (O'Reilly).
Boutique operationMansfield Farmhave had big success from a modest number of horses through the Sale. They quickly put their name on the map when producing stakes winnersFully Funded(NZ) (Fully Fledged) andEclair Samba(NZ) (Ekraar), and will offer another quality draft later this month with five lots by relatively young sires.
Lot 4, a colt by Group One producer Zacinto, is a half-brother to the farm's stakes-winning graduate Eclair Samba and Group One placedVittoria(NZ) (Postponed) whileLot 58, a filly by Proisir, is from the same family as Group One winnerBel Sprinter(Bel Espirit).
Singapore galloperAbsolutely(NZ) (Coats Choice) was an international stakes performer forBerkley Studhaving sold through their South Island Sale draft and being a son of their sire Coats Choice who also produced fellow graduate and six-time stakes winnerNatuzzi(NZ).
The Christchurch operation have consigned a draft of three lots with two yearlings by their former stallion Highly Recommended, includingLot 52, a filly from the great family of Grand Echezeaux and Romanee Conti.
Exclusive South Island Sale preparersPear Tree Farmsold three of the top 10 priced lots last year, placing them second on the leading vendor by average table and fourth by aggregate with just five lots – the same number of yearlings they will present in 2019.
Their top lot last year,Harlow(NZ) (Proisir), has impressed on the racetrack winning on debut at Te Rapa and finishing fifth at Group level in her second start.
Pear Tree Farm's first lot to go under the hammer will beLot 11, a Jimmy Choux filly out of a sister to New Zealand Horse of the YearMufhasa(NZ) (Pentire) and a three-quarter sister to current Group One placegetterBostonian(NZ) (Jimmy Choux).
They will also present another Proisir filly (Lot 33) whose half-brotherDining World(NZ) (Excellent Art) placed fourth at Group One level.
Altogether, 17 vendors will be putting the final touches on their yearlings:Willow Glen(5 lots),Beaufort Downs(4),Hedwood Thoroughbreds(4),Inglewood Stud(3),Mentally Stable(3),Clearview Park Stud(2),D. F. Kingsland(2),Park Hill Stables(2),Ripple Creek(2),G. M. Tomlinson(1),Maneland Farm(1) andParitai Farm(1).
This is your last opportunity in 2019 to secure a yearling eligible to enter the lucrativeKaraka Million Series.
TheSouth Island Salewill be held at the Canterbury Agricultural Park in Christchurch on 29 April, commencing from Lot 1 at 11am.