Month: June 2022

A vibrant atmosphere coupled with dynamic bidding saw a successful day of trade at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2022 National Weanling Sale.  105 quality weanlings sold for an aggregate of $3,486,000. The average climbed to $33,200, while the median settled at $16,000 and the clearance rate closed at 88%. Visiting from across the Tasman, NZB’s Director of Business Development Mike Kneebone was pleased with the buoyant market and major increase in all key sale indicators. “One of the big positives was that there were a lot of great judges present on the…

The 59 Lot broodmare and stallion share offering as part of the dissolution of Matamata Stud Valachi Downs is now live on Gavelhouse Plus. Bidding is open and will run through until 7pm (NZT) on Friday 24 June. Just some of the quality Lots featured include: Baggy Green (Galileo) – herself a winner over a mile in Australia, Baggy Green is a half to Group One mares Funstar and Youngstar. In foal to Ocean Park, she is carrying a full to four-time Group One winner Tofane who fetched A$3.1 million…

Central Districts horseman David Goldsbury secured the colt he was after at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale at Karaka on Friday. He went to $125,000 to take home lot 73, the Tivaci colt out of O’Me O’My, from Curraghmore’s draft. “He is a strong colt with plenty of length and good size, with a good page,” Goldsbury said. “I only saw him this morning but I have done my homework and I am a big fan of O’Reilly, his damsire. David Goldsbury went to $125,000 to secure lot 73,…

Retired horse dentist Vern Trillo has bought back into a familiar family at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale at Karaka on Friday. He went to $160,000 to purchase lot 1013, a U S Navy Flag filly out of Honfleur, a daughter of his broodmare gem Bohemian Blues, from Valachi Downs’ draft, with the assistance of Michael Hughes, of Hughes Bloodstock. Trillo bred some high-quality racehorses from the mare, including dual Group One winner and Australian three-year-old filly of her year Shamrocker, Group One winner Rock Diva, Group Two winner…

There were mixed emotions at Karaka on Friday as 20 weanlings presented as Valachi Downs’ final offering at a physical sale found new homes when sold at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale. The youngsters sold for an aggregate of $1.3 million, headlined by lot 1005, the Savabeel colt out of Bohemian Lily, who was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $360,000. “I thought it was a great opportunity to buy from Valachi,” Ellis said. “These are the best foals that they bred that year. They are here…

Connections of talented Matamata jumper Tommyra would love to honour the late Toby Autridge with success in the Fairview Motors Waikato Hurdle (3200m) for a second time on Saturday. Tommyra won the 2020 Waikato Hurdle and was third in 2019 and sixth last year, all under the guidance of Autridge, who died earlier this month. Autridge’s father Bob has taken over the training of Tommyra and would love to see the hurdler “win for Toby”. “He was Toby’s favourite. We’ll just see if we can train him as good,” Bob …

Shaune Ritchie is expecting Swords Drawn to give a good account of himself in Saturday’s Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m), but believes the stayer’s best chance of a major Australian success is a fortnight away. The Cambridge trainer, who operates in partnership with Colm Murray, has been pleased with the six-year-old’s progress since he finished sixth in his Queensland debut in last month’s Gold Coast Cup (2400m). “He’s not a big horse and had 58kg and he’s on 54.5kg now so he’s pretty well-weighted in this race, but I’m not 100…