Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis once again lead the buyers charge at Karaka on Day One of the National Yearling Sale series with an impressive array of youngsters finding their way into the shopping cart of the King of Karaka.
Ellis outlaid $3.4million for 14 individuals with Lot 224, an I Am Invincible youngster from the Highline Thoroughbreds draft topping the list as he outlaid $510,000 for the colt’s new owners, Brendan and Jo Lindsay of Cambridge Stud.
Ellis was pleased with his results for the day.
“We’ve bought 14 yearlings all together,” he said.
“We came here very bullish as we thought the quality was as good as its been for many years, and we wanted to buy yearlings to win all these big new races that we have in New Zealand.
“It’s the most exciting time to be part of New Zealand racing, with what the New Zealand government’s doing, what Entain’s doing and what New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing is doing.
“It’s a combination, they’re all working really well together, and it’s exciting for somebody that’s been in the industry for a lifetime.
“I’ve waited for this to happen and it’s not just happening, it’s happening big time, and there’s more good news still to come.
“It’s just great to see everybody working together and to see prizemoney go to a level where owners get a serious return.”
Ellis was delighted to secure the I Am Invincible colt for the Lindsays, who have enjoyed considerable success with Te Akau Racing through the deeds of champion mare Probabeel, Group One winner Kahma Lass and the promising filly Zourion.
“I bought him for Brendan and Jo Lindsay as they wanted me to buy them what I thought was the best colt in the sale,” he said.
“We selected him and we thought he was great buying for an I Am Invincible colt.
“I think most people would agree that’s one stallion we can train the progeny of (referring to champion sprinter Imperatriz amongst others).
“I think he (Brendan) would like a nice I Am Invincible colt to stand at Cambridge Stud and we’ll certainly be supporting him.
“He’s a very athletic colt, I thought that he’d be out and about at Christmas time, and could be a lovely Sires’ Produce colt, then make a really nice stallion at stud one day with his pedigree.”
Ellis was also pleased to secure Lot 227, a Snitzel colt from the Curraghmore draft who is closely related to former Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner Kahma Lass.
“I thought that he (Lot 227) was an absolutely outstanding buy,” he said.
“I won’t tell you what I thought he would make and what I was prepared to pay, that wouldn’t be fair on the vendor, but he was very good buying, for sure.”
Whilst he was happy with his results Ellis also admitted not everything went his way.
“I went to NZ$1 million for a client in Australia on that early filly (Lot 21 by Proisir) and never really felt confident, so it’s been a great day of selling here at New Zealand Bloodstock, and the whole company, everybody that works here should be very proud of what they’ve put on today.”
Day Two of the Book 1 Sale gets underway on Monday at 10am.
