The momentum continued at NZ Bloodstock’s Select yearling sale at Karaka on Thursday with the highlight a $200,000 Elusive Quality colt offered by Haunui Farm.  From the Bluebird mare Blue Quail, he was knocked down to local agent Phil Cataldo for a Melbourne-based client.

“He’s got a magnificent physique, a great front on him and a deep girth,” Cataldo commented.  “I’ve also had a bit of luck with the family.  My Royal Captain won Singapore’s G1 Patron’s Bowl and I’ve loved this colt since I saw him at Haunui just over a month ago.  He’s all quality and quite mature so he’s been entered for the Karaka Million.”

The second top price was for the Pentire colt from the winning Danehill mare Sheza Gem that fetched $170,000 to the bid of NSW buyer Edward Murray.  He was offered by Denny and Mark Baker’s Hallmark Stud.

Most active of the buyers on Thursday was Rogerson Bloodstock with 5 more yearlings to add to his haul of 21 for the week.  Rogerson’s top buy yesterday was $115,000 for the O’Reilly colt from Kinjite mare Activate.

Next on the buyers list is Australia’s BC3 Thoroughbreds with two Select Sale purchases bringing their total to four at Select and three from Premier.  Queensland agent John Foote equalled BC3 with a total spend of $500,000.

After Day 2 of the three Select sessions, the current average of $52,061 is tracking a massive 39% ahead of last year’s final average.  The clearance rate has strengthened further to finish the day on 79%.

Turnover so far for the Select Sale is $15.87 million for 305 lots sold.  The final day on Friday will be followed by the two-day Festival Sale on Sunday and Monday.