Gross, average rise at New Zealand sale

An Encosta de Lago weanling colt brought a bid of NZ$220,000 from Bruce and

Maureen Harvey's Ascot Farm to top the weanling portion of New Zealand

Bloodstock's National Weanling and Broodmare Sale in Karaka. Offered by leading

consignor Curraghmore Stud during Monday's session, the bay colt is out of

Breeze Hill (Danehill), a half-sister to G1 Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) hero Dr Devious

(Ire) (Ahonoora) and top sprinter Shinko King (Fairy King). He is slated to be

re-offered as a yearling in January.

"It's not often that you get a horse that with sort of pedigree coming up at

the weanling sale here, so we were eager to get him," Bruce Harvey said. "He's a

lovely horse and is a promising addition to our yearling draft."

Curraghmore also sold the top-priced filly, a NZ$200,000 daughter of Zabeel

secured by Marcus Corban.

"We're very happy with the way the sale has gone for us," Curraghmore's

Gordon Cunningham said. "We had some lovely horses in our draft which commanded

good interest and made their money, and certainly we come away with confidence

that there's a good viable market here. The lower end was much harder -- a

function no doubt of a number of challenges facing our racing industry here in

New Zealand. However, as usual, there was terrific demand for good-quality

horses and a number of our clients have been rewarded with very good returns."

A bigger catalog saw the clearance rate dip to 80 percent from 88 percent in

2009, but the rest of the numbers were up. The average climbed to NZ$11,388 from

NZ$9,018, and the aggregate soared to NZ$3,826,450, compared to NZ$2,407,800.

"The general consensus amongst weanling buyers here is that nice horses were

commanding good money, and there was good competition on the selection of most

appealing lots," said Petrea Vale, NZB's co-managing director. "The reality,

though, is that unfortunately there is very limited demand for the

lesser-pedigreed horses, particularly fillies, which was reflected in the

clearance rate. However, we can still take heart from the solid demand that

continues for good commercial stock."

For complete results, visit nzb.co.nz.