12/13/09
Last updated: 12/12/09 3:40 PM
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The sale topper was a graduate of New Zealand’s Karaka yearling sale
(Hong Kong Jockey Club) |
A handsome son of Exceed and Excel sold for the top price of HK$5.7 million
at Saturday’s Hong Kong International Sale, conducted for Hong Kong
Jockey Club members in the parade ring at Sha Tin.
Owner Tung Moon Fai, who had purchased Hong Kong Group 2 winner Unique Jewellery
(O’Reilly) at this same auction
three years ago, signed the ticket for the gelding.
The Australian-bred juvenile, cataloged as Lot No. 18, breezed well
at the under tack show at Sha Tin on December 5. A half-brother to the
New Zealand stakes-placed Rockadubai (Fastnet Rock), he was produced by
the Zabeel mare Dubai Express, who is herself a three-quarter sister to
multiple South African Group 2 star Oracy (Zabeel). She is also
half-sister to New Zealand Group 2 heroine Lady Dehere (Dehere) and
multiple Australian Group 3-winning sire Oratorio (Stravinsky).
The HKJC snapped up the bay for NZ$350,000 at the New Zealand
Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka.
The HKJC originally bought 36 horses for the sale, from top yearling
auctions throughout Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the United
States. Only 19 were offered for
auction, however, following rigorous veterinary monitoring to ensure that owners acquire horses
that are sound and physically robust before they embark on their Hong Kong
racing careers.
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Keen, competitive bidding characterized the sale, as the 19 lots went for a total of HK$70.4 million.
The average price of the two-year olds amounted to HK$3.7 million, an increase
of 27.6 percent compared with last year’s average of HK$2.9 million.
The HKJC’s Executive
Director of Racing, Bill Nader, summed up a positive mood afterward.
“Owners have just acquired some
good-looking prospects for the future, and we are delighted that owners have
confidence in horses presented for sale by the Club,” Nader said. “Demand was very strong and
horses were sold right across the price spectrum, again showing that the owners
are comfortable with the horses that the club have selected.
“The reduced number of lots coupled with a favorable economy locally
contributed to the overall higher average. I think prices were realistic, given
the quality of horses and past HKIS results from recent sales history.”
