Karaka countdown
The Karaka yearling sales will be staged in New Zealand during the first eight days of February , with the Darley stallions represented extensively throughout
Flying the flag for the Darley stallions is first-season sire Nadeem (pictured), who is represented by seven lots during the Premier session of the sale. With his yearlings selling for up to $180,000 at the Magic Millions in early January, the lots by the G1-winning son of Redoute’s Choice are sure to prove popular in this competitive market.
The first of the Nadeem’s yearlings through the ring on day one is a bay colt from the G2-winning Volksraad mare Mistrale. Offered on behalf of Trelawney Stud, the colt comes from the family of Cape Cross’ G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Kindacross.
Towards the end of the first day of selling, Weetwood Grange will offer lot 225, a bay filly from the Val Royal mare Valconic, a half-sister to Red Ransom’s G1 winner Red Dazzler. Carrying a double cross of Danehill close up in her pedigree, this filly is sure to create much interest.
Going through the ring early on the second day, hips 304 and 305 are two lots that should not be missed. Presented by Bluegables Farm, lot 304 is a half-brother to recent Stakes performer Humma, from the family of dual G1 winner Zarita (Pentire).
Lot 305, to be offered by Hallmark Stud, is a half-brother to G1 AJC Oaks winner Rena’s Lady and G3 winner Raise, from the Stakes-winning Rivotious mare Boisterous Lady. With the recent Stakes success of Reset’s three-year-old filly Set For Fame, the progeny of Zabeel’s unbeaten G1 winner are sure to be sought after.
Another Reset yearling likely to create plenty of interest is lot 422, a bay filly from the Kaapstad mare Harriet. From the family of recent G1 Telegraph Handicap winner Vonusti, the filly is a half-sister to the G1-performed Lord Woburn.
Although he has just a small draft at the New Zealand sale due to his large representation at the upcoming Easter yearling sale, Exceed And Excel has a quality offering of yearlings. His entries are highlighted by lot 200, a three-quarter brother to dual G1-winning juvenile Juanmo (Flying Spur), this colt is also a half-brother to the Stakes-performed Teppanyaki (Flying Spur).
Early on day two, Whakanui Stud will present a bay filly from the G1-winning Canny Lad mare Cannsea. Bred on the successful Danehill/Canny Lad cross that has produced runners the ilk of Redoute’s Choice, Desert War and Manhattan Rain, the filly will hold much residual value at the end of her racing days. Entering the ring as lot 314, the mare has a 100 per cent strike rate with her four runners to the track to date.
With the Darley stallions currently holding the top five positions on the third-season sire table based on individual winners; any sale at present would look out of place without yearlings by Lonhro, the leading third-crop sire.
With a small but select offering, his four yearlings are sure to be in high demand. Off the back of reaching a milestone 100 winners and Denman returning triumphant from a recent spell, lot 99 will be the first yearling through the ring for the 11-time G1-winning Horse of the Year.
Esker Lodge as agent will present a quality draft of 13 yearlings with their Lonhro filly out of the Stakes-performed Pirouettes sure to be well received. Danehill Dancer mare Pirouettes is a half-sister to the G1-performed Tom Coureuse as well as the Hong Kong-based G1 sprinter Yellow Diamond (Commands).
Having enjoyed much success on the international stage, Elusive Quality looks to have a potential star in the shape of lot 9. Offered by Sir Patrick Hogan’s Cambridge Stud, the colt is the third foal out ofthe triple G1-winning Encosta de Lago mare, Lashed. From a family laden with G1 performers of the calibre of Shogun Lodge, Singing The Blues and Referral, this colt is one of only two yearlings by the G1-producing sire in the sale.
During the Select session of the eight-day sale, fellow first-season sires Ad Valorem and Gonski will also have yearlings on offer. Monovale Farm’s lot 913 is one that definitely takes the eye; a bay colt by Danehill’s Stakes-winning son Gonski from the winning Star Way mare Classical Star, making him a half-brother to Reset’s two-year-old Stakes winner Likefatherlikeson.
Ad Valorem’s only yearling in the sale, lot 948, is set to go under the hammer on day five. Consigned by Goodwood Stud, the colt is out of the Zabeel mare Demain and comes from the family of recent winners Hasta Pronto (Commands) and Skytrain (Lonhro).
Although Australia’s leading sire Street Cry does not have any yearlings on offer due to not covering in the southern hemisphere that year, his presence will still be seen by 2009 Karaka sale graduate Irish Jewel (ex Lowan Behold), who will race in Sunday’s $1million Karaka Million over 1200m. All yearlings purchased from this sale are eligible for the race and the Andrew Scott-trained filly is one of the favoured runners, having won her only start impressively by two and three quarter lengths in December.
Once the Karaka sale is complete, the sale season will move towards the Inglis Premier yearling sale in Melbourne, where once again the progeny of the Darley stallions are widely represented throughout the 724-strong catalogue.
27 January 2010