Progeny of Rich Hill Stud stallion Proisir have left quite the impression on the racetrack, and it showed at Karaka this week.
19 yearlings by the stallion were on offer in the Book 1 session of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale and they were in demand, selling for a total of $3.59 million and an average of $189,000, with a 100 percent clearance.
Making his results even more impressive was the fact that they were achieved off a $9,000 service fee.
Leading the charge was Ciaron Maher Racing, who bought five of Proisir’s yearlings for an average of $184,000.
Maher’s Bloodstock Executive Will Bourne has been taken by the success of Proisir’s progeny on the track, including the stable’s very own Yonce, who won six of her seven starts and ran fourth in the Gr.1 Queen of the Turf Stakes (1600m) before a tendon injury brought an end to her racing career.
The sire’s success in New Zealand has also made a mark, with Group One winners Levante, Dark Destroyer, Legarto and Pier.
Photo: Trish Dunell
“He (Proisir) is doing the job as a stallion. He is hard to ignore,” Bourne said.
“From the opportunities he has had, he has got some very nice horses in New Zealand – Legarto, Pier, Dark Destroyer and Levante.
“Over in Australia, we have got a couple of horses by him. Yonce obviously had a tonne of ability and her career was cut short.
“We bought a tried horse called Nikau Spur. He mixes his form, but he has a tonne of ability. We bought the full-sister here at the sale (lot 482 for $230,000).
“We have got a few from the sale and they have all shown good ability and it is hard to ignore the job he is doing in New Zealand.”
Bourne saved his biggest Proisir purchase until last, going to $240,000 to secure lot 581, the filly out of Tellmeaboutit, a half-sister to Group Two winner Only Words.
“She has a great temperament and a great page. We have seen her a few times,” Bourne said.
“I find all of these Proisirs very athletic, and they hold their athleticism in the way they move and she was no exception.”
Proisir is poised to dethrone Savabeel as New Zealand’s leading sire, a feat that is not lost on Bourne.
“It is an amazing effort when you think of the opportunity of the mares they get when compared to each other,” he said.
“Savabeel would have had a lot more opportunity from the mares, buyers, and the stables they have been going into.
“For Proisir to do it from where he is doing it from, I think is very impressive and you can’t ignore it.”
Bourne has been very active at Karaka on behalf of Maher and has been pleased with the quality of stock he has been able to source from the New Zealand sale.
“I didn’t think I would buy as many as I have. I think we are up to 14 now,” he said. “I think it has been very fair buying and the horses that we have managed to get we see value in them.”
