The New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale was all about Hong Kong buyers, who spent NZ$17 million for 74 horses over the two-day stand, or 45% of the total gross. On day 1, they shelled out NZ$7.3 million on 33 horses, and added 41 more lots to that haul for NZ$9.7 million on Day 2.
“It's hard to compete with Hong Kong. There's a lot of Hong Kong buyers here. There's a lot of geldings here and for us, it's hard to pay big money for a gelding. We still want the colt dream still alive particularly if they are those sharper sprinter types,” trainer Annabel Neasham told nzb.co.nz.
“There's a lot of lovely horses here, colts, fillies and geldings. … [we've been] amazed at the quality. A lot of nice horses and a variety of staying types and sprinters.”
The sale's leading buyer was KM Leung, owner of Galaxy Patch (Aus) (Wandjina {Aus}). He purchased 24 horses for just under NZ$5 million at an average of NZ$208,125.
Agent Willie Leung bought on his behalf and told the NZB, “The New Zealand Bloodstock breeze up sale produces a lot of good horses for Hong Kong. Mr Yeung bought a Super Seth (Aus) last year and he tasted a good result, and that's why he's come back this year.
“He's very happy with the quality provided here. We will try to get the best ones to Hong Kong, but we still need the numbers so we will see when they are ready and then they will go to Hong Kong as a 2-year-old or 3-year-old in the future.
“Most will stay in New Zealand for their education and preparation and then we will see if they race here, or go direct to Hong Kong.”
Added Leung, who also buys as Magus Equine, “I also represent Francis Liu. For Francis, we've had a good result in the past with Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) and this year is the first time he's come back since COVID. Hopefully we get another Golden Sixty.”
A total of 250 horses sold (78%) over the two days for a gross of NZ$38.1 million. The average was NZ$153,147 and the median was unchanged at NZ$90,000.
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