FULL ‘SALE’

Horses expected to thunder down the track at full ‘sail’ in future – perhaps while winning the Karaka Million – were subjected to less than delicate sounds of thunder recently. Despite abysmal weather, New Zealand Bloodstock (NZB) attracted keen buyers to its Karaka Sales Centre for the annual National Yearling Sales.

“All the big guns were here,” Andrew Seabrook from NZB confirms.

top honours in the Karaka Million 2YO race (for the seventh year running) this time thanks to Tokyo Tycoon and his South African jockey, Craig Zackey.

“To have only come to New Zealand a few months ago and to be winning one of the biggest races here is overwhelming,” he says.

Tokyo Tycoon stumbled and lost ground out of the starting gate only to find his rhythm and make up eightnine lengths in the straight.

“What a good horse,” Craig adds. “All credit to him, he’s a superstar!”

Unfortunately, Rural Living’s favoured filly, Ethereal Star (see our Dec-Jan e-edition) could only manage second place with Trobriand in third.

Rounding o the highlights of a first-class day of racing, Zee Falls claimed the $120,000 Karaka Cup.

Curraghmore (Cambridge) commanded Book One’s highest price ($1 million). However, Karaka’s Haunui Farm ‘hammered’ home sales success with two lots in the book’s top 10, yeilding $500,000 and $625,000.

Book One’s total turnover topped $70 million with the average and median prices at $151,980 and $130,000.

“Probably the most heartening statistic was the median [price],” Mr Seabrook added. “This is a fantastic result and gives us an idea of how strong the middle market has been.”