PGG WRIGHTSON “SALE OF THE STARS” 2016 NZ YEARLING SALES

It’s just on a month until this year’s NZ Yearling Sales :

• Australasian Classic – Monday 22 February, Karaka Sales Centre (South Auckland)
• NZ Premier – Tuesday/Wednesday 23/24 February, Canterbury Agricultural Park (Christchurch)

The NZ sales commenced in 1944 (3 November) when H. Matson & Co in conjunction with Wrightson, Stevenson & Co held the first annual national yearling sales in Christchurch.

The success of NZ sale purchases can be seen from the following statistics :

• in excess of 480 group wins recorded in the past six and half seasons
• 38 of possible 84 (9 seasons of 9 events plus one time three 5yo Jewels) Harness Jewels winners
• 34 Australasian Breeders Crown winners

All sales yearlings are eligible for the NZ Yearling Sales Series with many being Stakes engaged for other series. In NZ – Sires Stakes, Nevele R 3yo Fillies, Caduceus Club Fillies while in Australia a number have had initial payments made for Bathurst Gold Crown, Australasian Breeders Crown, Vicbred Super Series, NSW Breeders Challenge and Need for Speed (Trotters) series.

Between the two NZ sales venues, there are 525 yearlings catalogued for sale subject to  withdrawals. There are a number of syndicates heading to the sales poised to purchase  yearlings for their clients. Regulars such as :

• Auckland Trotting Club (since 1998, 86% winners to starters – 37/43 individual winners; 200 wins, 160 seconds, 148 thirds; stakes/bonuses/sales approaching $8.9m; standout double millionaire/NZ Cup winner Changeover)
• NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club (winners of over 60 races including NZ Derby winner Likmesiah, Roydon Flash, Texas Hold Em, Belkmyster). Nominated trainers for their 2016 Syndicate are Mark Jones, Ken Barron, Phil Williamson) syndicates
• will be joined by Alabar who are advertising syndicates and others will no doubt evolve following the sales..

Stallions represented by the largest numbers of yearlings are :

Pacers (20 and over yearlings) :

Others of note include : RocknRoll Hanover 17 (AK 10, CH 7), Somebeachsomewhere 16 (6, 10), Shadow Play 16 (0, 16), Sir Lincoln 15 (4, 11). First season stallions Better Than Cheddar (Bettors Delight) and Stunin Cullen (Christian Cullen) add further interest due to their own sire’s representation. The three most prolific pacing stallions (Bettors Delight, Mach Three, Art Major) account for over 40% of pacing yearlings (182/448) whereas Majestic Son alone has 44% of trotting yearlings.

Trotters – Majestic Son has the largest crop of yearlings for sale with 34 (AK 10, 4 Colts, 6 fillies; CH 24, 10/14). Likely to appeal are yearlings by leading American trotting stallions Muscle Hill (AK 4, CH 2) and Angus Hall (AK 2, CH 2) together with French stallions Repeat Love (CH 5), Sam Bourbon (CH 2) and Love You (CH 2). Of note is the final yearling draft from Millburn Farm following the passing late last year of Carl Middleton. A total of six yearlings (four by Repeat Love, one each by Majestic Son and Dream Vacation – 5 colts and 1 filly) are being prepared by Stacy Markham. The Majestic Son colt from Savona (T1:55.4), Repeat Love colt from Another Starlet (10 foals to race for ten winners) and Repeat Love filly from Millburn Segil (dam of Savona, Damian Carlos, Lady Segil T1:57.1US) should appeal.

Everyone has biases when it comes to selecting/purchasing their chosen yearling whether it be a first season stallion (Better Than Cheddar, Stunin Cullen) or a proven stallion such as Bettors Delight whose large number of yearlings will be in demand along with Mach Three, Art Major. With only two colts in the Christchurch sale Love You will be sought after as will American Ideal who is firing on all cylinders at present. The sales have many examples of successful breeders, the winner producing record of vendor/preparer an important guide to a successful purchase. Proven mares with winners from initial crops and/or with a sound overall breeding record to date as against winning mares with their first foal or unraced mares from good winning mares require analysis. What about successful crosses e.g. Bettors Delight over an In The Pocket or Christian Cullen mare are his most successful Classic Cross in Australasia although Falcon Seelster and Holmes Hanover are not far behind (Classic Families). There are a number of examples of these crosses at both Auckland/Christchurch. What about the purchaser who prefers only colts to race or fillies to perhaps race and/or breed from. All are matters for consideration.

Will the 2016 Sales produce the record prices of 2015?? Auckland’s average was up a stunning 20% to $41,549 with seven $100,000 lots (five Bettors Delights). The Christchurch, average over two days was a steadier $27,000, up 10% on 2014 or 20% on 2013 with an improved clearance rate of eighty percent. Over three days sales, $11.6m was outlaid, an increase of $2m over that of 2014. A steady number of purchases went directly to Australian homes, in addition to those purchased by NZ stables on behalf of Australian buyers or ultimately part owners. Economic conditions plus the perceived health of the harness racing industry will dictate to some extent the likely returns in 2016.

Here’s a rundown (not comprehensive) of some of what’s available that may be worth your consideration by viewing their pedigrees in the sales catalogue now available – see www.standardbred.co.nz.

Australasian Classic –

Hottest family in NZ at present – Scuse Me : from daughters (La Filou, Abide With Me), filly and colt by Bettors Delight; from grand daughter (Splendid Bet, sister to Dream About Me, half sister to Christen Me/Hands Christian) colt by American Ideal

Full brothers to : Bettors Delight full brother to four winners (mare Dream Offer, 4 Bettors Delights to race for 4 winners); Linda Lovegrace; (Our) Sky Major; Besotted; Classie Brigade; Prince Fearless (T)

Half brothers to : Alta Orlando; Highview Tommy

Full sisters to : Shandale; (The) Gold Ace; My Hard Copy; Prime Power (T)

Half sister to : Hug The Wind

Winning mares (first foals) : colts from Holly Madison; Minnie Moose; O Baby; Meet Me In Mayfair; Twist And Twirl; Yankeedoosie (T); fillies from Jessie’s Cullen; Supremacy

Proven mares : colts from Diamonds N Gold; Milagros/Black Maire (Black Watch family); Trotting fillies from Galleons Dream; Regal Volo

Classic crosses (examples only) : Bettors Delight over Christian Cullen – out of half sister to Carabella (filly); 2^nd dam Oaxaca Lass (colt); Bettors Delight over In The Pocket – 2^nd dam Classical ©; 2^nd dam Going Royce (f)

One particular lot that I will be taking great interest in is Lot 63 –  an American Ideal filly from five win Sokys Atom mare Pace Away (1:59.9, 1700m). This is the family of Papilla (CF N15), this branch through Purple Patch includes descendants such as Belmers Image, Awesome Belmer, Lady Belmer, Ingle Belmer, Genghis Karalta plus my grand mare Scottish Hostess and progeny (Scottish Bella – Mister Skye Rocket, Typhoon Tan).

NZ Premier –

Day One :

Full brothers to : Millie Sampson; Ohoka Arizona; Conon Bridge (T); Paramount Dream/half to Paramount Gee Gee (T)

Half brothers to : Chase the Dream; Seel N Print; Terror To Love; Ohoka Texas; Lennon

Full sister to : Veste

Half sisters to : Crusader Banner; Franco Emirate; God Send/God Forbid; Joyfuljoy;  Ohoka Punter

Winning mares (first foals) : colts from Flying Anvil; Carabella; Miss Moonlite; Pembrooks Delight; Hot Vacation (T), half sister to Sheemon; Margaritaville, from half sister to I Can Doosit (T)

Unraced mares (first foals) : colts from Dreaminthemaking; Flo Jo; Jet Spirit; Nicky’s Last Chance; Northern Courage; trotting filly from Duchess

Proven mares : colts from Caps Off; Funontherun; Lillian; Oaxaca Lass; fillies from Holms Spirit; Karen Donna; Millwood Becqui; Nitouche Franco; No Paba; Jaquar Franco (T); Juverna (T)

Classic crosses : Bettors Delight over Christian Cullen – fillies with 2^nd dams Going Royce, Elect To Live

Day Two :

Full brothers to : Locharburn; Mabrook; Fight For Glory

Half brothers to : Motu Crusader; Tas Man Bromac

Winning mares (first foals) : colts from Tatijana Bromac; Allura; fillies from Twilight Rascal; Beaudiene Maja Babe

Unraced mares (first foals) : trotting colts from Solar Powered (sister to Aldebaran Shades); Sunny Maree (sister to Sunny Ruby)

Proven mares : colts from Pocketmore; Putting On The Glitz; Radiant Guest; Rafiki; Tandias Courage; Star Of The Ball; Sly Shard; Welcome Star; Asabella; Shakeilah; Smooth Leyanda; fillies from Spring Thaw; Stella Franco; Sokys Legend; Time Again Franco; Anna Castleton (T)

Classic crosses : Bettors Delight over Christian Cullen – colts from Reklaw; Rona Lorraine

Near the conclusion of day two of the Christchurch sale, two choice lots are available for purchase – lot 519 Betterthancheddar/Bella Arden colt (2^nd dam Winter Rose 2015 NZSBA Broodmare of Excellence) and second last lot of sale no 524 Art Major/Breath of Life, full brother to Fight For Glory.

Best of luck to all the vendors and prospective purchasers, every success with buying/selling your future champion. There will definitely be a horse available for all levels of buyers and hopefully vendors will be pleased with their returns..

Peter Craig

21 January 2016.

Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing