After a blockbuster Day 1 including the record-breaking sale of a NZ$1.65 million (US$973,500, NZ$1=US$0.59) 2-year-old, momentum continued into the final day of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Sun Sale Nov. 21, which saw the total aggregate land at NZ$38,593,500 (US$22,770,165), a 10% increase on the 2023 record edition of the sale.
The clearance rate at the close of selling was a strong 78% with the average and median on par with last year's remarkable results at NZ$151,943 (US$89,646) and NZ$90,000 (US$53,100), respectively.
"I'm absolutely delighted with the buying bench we were able to assemble. We had hoped to match last year's results but to exceed them has been a wonderful outcome," commented NZB managing director Andrew Seabrook.
"To achieve nearly 79% with the clearance rate, that's really satisfying. We'll be selling horses for the next few hours and into tomorrow so if we can get over 80% that would be fantastic.
"The horses are incredibly well prepared by our vendors, who continue to step up every year. They do such a great job preparing these horses, there's no one like them in the world and NZB is blessed to have such great consignors."
A significant international presence was felt with Hong Kong-based buyers responsible for more than NZ$17.1 million spent across 72 lots, while Australian buyers secured 67 lots for a total of NZ$10.6 million in receipts. Emerging market Malaysia stamped their mark throughout the sale, purchasing 40 horses for NZ$3 million, while the domestic market made a splash of NZ$6.2 million for 57 lots. Other markets active included China, which purchased 10 lots, and for the first time Mongolia signed up for five lots.
Taking the honors of leading buyer for the second consecutive year was prominent Hong Kong owner and businessman Yeung Kin Man, purchasing an eye-watering 24 lots for NZ$4.995 million.
"I think the quality of the catalog was even stronger this year, so that is why I have bought more horses," he said.
The most expensive lot he bought was a NZ$450,000 gelding by Encryption, who clocked a stunning :10.06 in his breeze. The gelding was offered by Sam Beatson's Riversley Park, who were crowned leading vendor for the eighth consecutive year in a row after selling 35 lots for NZ$6,945,000.
"It's full-on having such a large draft, but we've got great staff," said Beatson. "We like to get horses on the market early and let them find their value. We also bought at the lower end this year and it worked out.
"But to be able to breeze them on a consistent turf surface is the best advantage for everyone. Selling good genuine horses and keeping people happy is what I take pride in."
Leanach Lodge finished the sale as the leading vendor by average, selling three youngsters for an average of NZ$303,333, while I Am Invincible was crowned leading sire, his four 2-year-olds selling for an aggregate of NZ$2.7 million at an average of NZ$675,000.
