Redoute's Choice colt leads Hong Kong sale

A colt by top Australian sire Redoute's Choice was hammered down for a top

bid of HK$5.5 million ($709,677) to top Saturday's Hong Kong International Sale

held in the parade ring at Sha Tin Racecourse. But in the end, the unique

auction proved that it was not immune to the effects of the global economic

crisis, as the average of HK$2.9 million ($375,054) and median of HK$3 million

($387,097) represented declines of 34 and 33 percent, respectively. The

aggregate was HK$87.2 million ($11,251,613), while last year's event grossed

HK$132 million.

"Today's figures are a reflection of the global trend for bloodstock at the

moment, but it's never been our objective to make a profit either," commented

Mark Player, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Head of International Races, Sale and

Development. "This sale is all about providing owners with quality horses for

Hong Kong racing."

Hip No. 27 cost the Hong Kong Jockey Club A$710,000 when they purchased the

son of Significant Moment (Bletchingly) out of this year's Inglis Easter Sale.

By the sire of champions Miss Finland and Fashions Afield, the brown colt is a

three-quarter brother to Crowned Glory (Danehill), winner of the VRC Bloodhorse

Breeders' S. (Aus-G3) and runner-up in the Golden Slipper S. (Aus-G1).

The vast majority of horses offered at this sale are geldings, but Hip 27 is

blessed with a stallion's pedigree, his dam being is a half-sister to champion

sire Zabeel and Baryshnikov. The colt was purchased by Cheng Keung-fai, who

signed for the promising Danesis (Danehill), a half-brother to Dehere, for

HK$7.5 million at the 2006 sale.

Hip 25, a gelded son of Grand Slam and the lone American-bred offering in the

sale, was purchased for HK$3.3 million ($425,806).