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A colt by Snitzel was the standout performer on Day 2 at Karaka.
After a record-breaking opening session, Day Two of NZB's Karaka 2024 Book 1 Sale rounded off with a late flurry of bids, cementing a strong day of trade.
At the close of selling, the aggregate reached a record $58,905,500, while the average settled at $176,893, a 27% and 15% increase respectively when compared to the same time last year.
Leading buyer David Ellis of Te Akau Racing continued his dominance in the ring, securing the highest priced lot today in Lot 360 (Snitzel x Rondinella colt) for $825,000 from Haunui Farm.
Ellis commented on his prospective stallion acquisition.
"We can see him being in the Karaka Millions. You could spell him for a week then line him up for the Golden Slipper," he said.
"He has a beautiful temperament and a great pedigree, I can see him standing at stud in the future."
A total of 14 lots have been purchased for $500,000 or more at the end of Day Two, compared to six lots during the entire Book 1 session in 2023.
One of those was Lot 442, another from the Karaka-based nursery of Haunui Farm. The Savabeel filly out of Stolen Gem was knocked down to Sheamus Mills Bloodstock for $650,000.
Mills was delighted to secure the half-sister to Group One performer To Catch a Thief (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) after being underbidder on several lots during the opening session.
"I have been looking for another Savabeel filly for a while now, when this filly stepped out, I had an inkling I had found her," he stated.
"With the boost and hype around racing in New Zealand, we are definitely being swept in.
"When I looked at her, my first thought was aiming her for the Karaka Millions, before a Blue Diamond even," he added.
NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook was pleased with the results on Day Two.
"It was a strong, solid day of trade and the New Zealand pinhookers came out to play."
"It was great to see so many markets active but the key buyers today were the Hong Kong Jockey Club," he added.
"They purchased seven horses for $2.3 million, and they are not done yet."
