Breeders could have be forgiven for thinking it was 'buyers revenge' an hour into today's Australasian Classic Yearling Sale in Auckland. Then as the auctioneers started to clear their throats, and their lunch settled, the markets gradually took a turn for the better.
The average price for this year's one day sale at the Karaka Sales Complex was $31,578 compared to the average price of about $34,000 last year. Pyne Gould Guiness Wrightson agent Peter Lagan was happy with the result considering the world-wide financial crisis wasn't the brightest.
"I think we would be about 10 per cent down on last year and in the context of things is a good result. The galloping sales saw a 28% downturn in sales. Take into account the current financial crisis then today's result is more than satisfactory," Lagan said.
He admitted he was pretty nervous after the slow start but come mid-afternoon the big buyers really started to make their presence felt.
"To be honest it was a great recovery after a cautious start. The average priced horses were hard to sell but there was no real change at the top end. If people wanted quality they were still prepared to pay for it no matter how high the price and no matter how tough the times are. Today showed people were not afraid to dig deep for quality," Lagan said.
There were 192 lots catalogued today. Thirteen were withdrawn, 45 passed in (25%), and 134 sold. The gross sale figure was $4,231,500. The average price for fillies was $26,011 compared to the colts that averaged $34,895.
But the big guns came out to play after 2pm, thanks to now American-based Canterbury sire, *Christian Cullen*. He fetched the four highest prices of the day. But prior to 2pm just 14 yearlings sold for $30,000 or more. After that there were a further 39 lots which fetched more than $30,000, including the top four in the sale which fetched $150,000 plus.
The sales topper was $155,000 (Lot 168), a *Christian Cullen*-Black Maire colt named The Muskeg Express. He was sold by Sandy and Jan Yarndley to Tim Butt for $155,000.
The next three highest all fetched $150,000. They were Lot 145, a Christian Cullen filly named Uptown Attitude sold by Croon Bloodstock and bought by Graeme Rogerson. Lot 166, a Christian Cullen filly named Saccha Maguire sold by Jubilee Park to Gerald Shand and Maurice McKendry; and Lot 183, a Christian Cullen colt named Cullen Bromac sold by Bromac Lodge to an anonymous phone bidder.
The Sale Of The Stars ‘roadshow' continues in Christchurch this week with a yearling parade tomorrow (Sunday) and then the New Zealand Premier Yearling Sale from Monday to Wednesday (16-18 February). A total of 537 yearlings have been catalogued for that three-day sale.
Courtesy harnesslink.com
Duane RANGER (editor)