Sales - The Unders And Overs (Saturday 27th February)
The dust has been dampened down and now the analysis of the lastest round of yearling sales has begun.
From a southern perpective most of the better bred yearlings sold - but with varying return on investment. Sales always have winners and losers and this one was no different.
Buyers certainly chased the progeny of up and coming stallion Bettor's Delight and Mark Purdon chose the two top Southern Bred Southern Reared lots - a Bettor's Delight - Asabella filly ($110,000) and Bettor's Delight - Baptism Of Fire colt ($90,000).
There was plenty to like about the SBSR result with progeny from the draft providing 25% of the top twenty lots at the Christchurch sales!
Otautau breeder Dave Kennedy had a good sale and wasn't too disapointed with the $30,000. he got for his Art Major - Beaudiene Ladylike colt (Beaudiene Beckham).
"He had issues and the buyers picked that up. He also didn't look like a two year old," Kennedy said.
Beaudiene Beckham
Kennedy's top seller was the Christian Cullen colt out of Brilliant Franco which sold to Australian Greg Quinlan who paid $82,000.
Shard Farm's Debbie and Mark Smith had a mixed sale.
Their Artsplace-Shards A Flyin colt sold for $45,000 to Australians Emilo and Maria Rosati, the price disapointing his breeders.
"We feel he was worth more but the buyers who bought him thought they would pay $90,000 for him not $45,000. That's the nature of the auction," said Debbie.
Shards Of Art
Mark and Pauline O'Connor took three yearlings to Christchurch, selling Hey Yo Denario (McArdle-Yoyo) and Fliteoftheconcords (Falcon Seelster-Truely Jaccka).
"Our McArdle filly out of Flow Denario was bought back for $10,000. I thought she was a nice type with good conformation but McArdle fillies were not keenly sought after. We're happy to try her as a race horse ourselves," said Mark.
John Stiven once again had a very good sale with his top two lots being the Bettor's Delight - Tosca Hanover colt which sold to Mark Purdon for $70,000 and the Bettor's Delight-Arden's Dream filly which fetched $30,000.
Bettor's Delight - Arden Dream filly Fantastic Arden.
Every year after the sale, the Southern Bred Southern Reared group sits down and reviews the sale but already there are some individual thoughts filtering through from local vendors.
Dave Kennedy feels PGG Wrightson needs to be more selective, and that the premier sale shouldn't be used as a dumping ground for poorer quality yearlings.
"There needs to be a formula worked out, maybe based on service fees. It's embarissing when bidding starts at $1,000 at a premier sale. The poorer horses should be sold on the internet or through the paper."
Debbie Smith agrees that there needs to be a stricter entry criteria.
"There should be less horses for sale in Christchurch and more discretion from PGG for culling the yearlings with poor conformation and general faults," she said.
Kennedy suspects a lot of the breeders who went to Christian Cullen may have got burnt if they paid the $25,000. service fee, while John Stiven thinks that sales should always make breeders reassess their breeding stock.
"Its the lack of profit that is the difficult part. Many breeders will be looking closely at their broodmare band to see if some mares warrant the service fee next season for a sales bound offspring," said Stiven.
Debbie Smith says sometimes hard decisions need to be made.
"The vendor has to keep culling broodmares that don’t produce the correct type of yearling. If we don’t have the type and pedigrees that buyers want then yearling sales are going to keep being bloodbaths for the sellers. We do it to ourselves, we keep and buy broodmares that we think will stand up to the sales, and when they don’t we keep hanging on to them, we all do it."
From a buyers perpective many of the trainers were happy with the prices they paid for good stock. Canterbury trainer Ken Barron was one buyer pleased with his purchases.
"For the first time in five years it was a buyers market. I think the buyers may have gone off the Cullens a year too soon though," he said.
Sellers generally don't dwell too much on the past, tending to look enthusiastically to the future. John Stiven is one such breeder with an eye on next years sale.
"We have two Bettor's Delight colts, a full brother to Arden Torres and a full brother to Arden's Southee. We also have two Art Major colts - one from Arden's Dream, the other is the first foal from a Christian Cullen grand daughter of Black Watch. He's a cracker. We also have a filly thats a full sister to Bettor's Strike which may also go to the sales," he said.
Debbie and Mark Smith understand the ups and downs of selling yearlings and are moving onto the next set of projects. They are naturally excited about preping a half-brother to Smiling Shard by Lis Mara.
"The yearling sales industry is just righting itself (again). It will come right and the yearling market will bounce back," said Debbie Smith.
The Stylish Breeding Partnership will also have more fire power at next years sales with five colts.
"We have an Art Major colt out of Dreamo Denario, a Artsplace colt from Campeche and a Mach Three colt out of Ardens Queen. They're all are nice horses. We also have two Bettors Delights colts, one out of Truely Jaccka the other out of Roxy O'Neill." said Mark O'Connor.
With next years sales progeny on the ground, breeders have made their decisions - they just need to wait a year for the buyers to have their say.
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Lot 259
Breeder Mr W.D. Kennedy offers
Absolute Reign (colt - Christian Cullen – Brilliant Franco)
Breeding comment: This colt is a full brother to the top two and three year old filly Absolutely Brilliant (1.56.6 South Caduceus 2yr old final, Southland Oaks Final and 3rd Nevele R Filly Final Gr 1). Half brother to Pacific Reign (1.52 USA, 9 NZ wins and $79,392) and Highview Fella (1.59.4 Aus, $75,367 and 19 Aus wins). Absolute Reign is from the prolific 2yr old family of Estella Amos which produces many top young horses.
Preparer's notes: A lovely individual with excellent conformation and bone. A strong intelligent colt, he is an excellent mover, covering the ground effortlessly. Definite 2yr old type. A must to inspect for serious buyers.
Enquires: David & Dawn Kennedy 03-225-8247 or 027-229-7247
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Lot 151
Breeders Noreen and John Stiven offer under the Arden Lodge banner
Arden Torres - colt (Bettors Delight's -Tosca Hanover)
Preparer notes: This is a very athletic and attractive colt.
Breeding notes: Dam is a half sister to big winner The Reckoning. Very solid family of top performers. Granddam is Aberfeldy, winner of a Broodmare Excellence award.
Reason for mating: As close a cross as we can get with Bettor's Delight to Champion Darlin's Delight. She is from a Big Towner mare.
Contact: John Stiven 0274-686-919
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Lot 244
Breeder Dave Kennedy offers
Beaudiene Beckham (colt Art Major -Beaudiene Ladylike)
Breeder's comment: Beaudiene Beckham is out of Beaudiene Ladylike, an extremely fast two and three year old filly - (a paddock injury curtailed her racing career). He is a half brother to Beaudiene Christian (3 wins 1.59.2 $37,814 incl 3rd 2009 NZ Sires St 2yr old heat). Closely related to Beaudiene Bad Babe (1.56.2 $183,671. 15 wins to date).
Preparer's notes: Beaudiene Beckham is a big strong powerful colt with attitude. He has taken after his sire, Art Major. This colt is a very mature tough type that will be there when the going gets tough. A definite 2yr old type.
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Lot 168
Breeders McEwan Breeding Limited offer
Earth Angel filly (Falcon Seelster – True Lies)
Lot 168 in Christchurch, a bay filly by Falcon Seelster out of the 5 win Holmes Hanover mare "True Lies".
From "True Lies" 7 foals of racing age all have qualified, including 5 as 2 yr olds, resulting in 4 winners.
This filly is a half sister to "Percy The Punter" (1-56.3), 7 wins & 13 placings to date from only 24 starts.
She is a full sister to 3 yr old "Tiz A Falcon", who has placed once to date from limited raceday appearances. Other winners are : Tiz A Cullen (2 wins), "Bizzie Girl" (2 wins), & "All The Way" (3 wins to date).
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Lot 212
Breeders Noreen and John Stiven offer under the Arden Lodge banner
Fanastic Arden - filly (Bettor's Delight -Arden's Dream)
Preparer notes: This is a lovely filly to work with - very kind nature. She's the right type for the sale ring as she is a great bodied filly with a two year old look about her. She has an excellent pedigree page.
Breeding notes: Sister to Ready to Run $150,000 sale Arden Tetrick which recently qualified in 1-57.5. This filly is also a three quarter sister to Arden's Darlin - Two Year Old Filly of her year. Also note Derby and Group winners.
Reason for mating: Arden Tetrick was such a standout foal and Arden's Darlin was shaping up well at the time.
Contact: John Stiven 0274-686-919
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Lot 157
Breeders Mark and Pauline O'Connor along with Owen Shaw offer under the Stylish Breeding Partnership
Fliteoftheconchords - colt (Falcon Seelster – Truely Jaccka)
- the first foal from the young Badlands Hanover mare Truely Jaccka.
The dam was unraced due to injury but is a half sister to outstanding Live or Die gelding Turbo Jaccka which won 5 races in NZ before being exported to the USA.
This season alone Turbo Jaccka has collected a further 9 wins and amassed earnings of US$132,000 in North America.
Contact: Pauline O'Connor 027-256-0407
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Lot 189
Breeders Mark and Pauline O'Connor along with Owen Shaw offer under the Stylish Breeding Partnership
Hey Yo Denario filly (McArdle – Yoyo)
- the second McArdle filly offered by the Stylish Breeding Partnership.
She is from the Son Of Afella mare Yoyo which has a 100% record of winners to live foals.
Her first foal is the useful Armbro Operative gelding Scarlett Division (2 wins to date) while her second foal is the Group race placed and sub 2.00 Washington VC filly Nashota.
This family also traces back to that of Delightful Lady and other impressive performers such as Kotare Mach, Ross The Boss, Grinaldi, Play More, The Oyster Man, Slugger and Kotare Jaeger.
A racey type, Hey Yo Denario has a competitive attitude and has developed into an attractive looking athlete. She should add to her producer’s existing record.
Contact: Pauline O'Connor 027-256-0407
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Lot 362
Breeders Brent and Sheree McIntyre offer
Macardo - colt (McArdle - Jamie)
Preparer Notes: This colt is an energetic yearling and loves to run for ages when let out in his paddock. He has really rounded into a nice type - typical of the McArdle stock. He is a good dark colour and easy to work with.
Breeding Notes :
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Lot 173
Breeders Murdoch Bloodstock Limited offer
Northview Desire (filly - Real Desire - Watch Your Step 1-54.4)
Breeder's comment: This filly is bred in the purple by top young sire Real Desire (1.48.4). Real Desire is the sire of Tell All (1.48.6) out of Watch Your Step (1.54.4) and dam of Stopwatch (1.52 $197,634) and Announcement (1.57.6 and 8 wins NZ $89,443) - just sold to USA. Immediate family of Beach Towel World Champ Three Year Old and Horse of the Year.
Preparer's notes: This is a big strong free moving filly with a lovely attitude. She has great conformation. A must for inspection for any serious buyer wanting a top quality filly. Enquires: David and Dawn Kennedy 03 225 8247 or 027 229 7247
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Lot 309
Breeders Mark and Pauline O'Connor along with Owen Shaw offer under the Stylish Breeding Partnership
Primo Denario filly (McArdle – Flow Denario)
Primo Denario is the third foal from the race winning Safely Kept mare Flow Denario which is a half-sister to current world champion and former high-profile 3 year old Fake Denario (US$730,000 & 1.48.4).
The dam of this yearling is also a half-sister to the 4 win Sokys Atom mare Dreamo Denario which has left as her first foal Spero Denario (6 wins from 18 starts).
This is a prolific family that has produced other such fine race horses as Kotare Mach, Ross The Boss, Grinaldi, Play More, The Oyster Man, Slugger and Kotare Jaeger.
This McArdle filly is an imposing type with a strong constitution. Once her race career has concluded she will make an excellent broodmare proposition.
Contact: Pauline O'Connor 027-256-0407
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Lot 413
Breeders Noreen and John Stiven offer under the Arden Lodge banner
Sachin Arden - colt (Elsu -Madam Maroussia)
Preparer Notes: A day three colt well worth a look. He is growing into a tough looking racey Elsu. Will go early on day three. Has been prepared to do the same on the track.
Breeding Notes: Family of Franco Enforce and Australian Two Year old of her year White Thunder.
Reason for mating: Artiscape crossed well with Falcon mares in USA so we have a good mix of that here with an outcross pedigree. Sure to be a recipe for A successful Arden product.
Contact: John Stiven 0274-686-919
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Lot 90
Breeders Mark and Debbie Smith offer under Shard Farm Breeding Ltd
Shards Of Art colt (Artsplace – Shards A Flyin)
Lot 90 in Christchurch, a bay colt by Artsplace, only the second foal out of “Shards A Flyin”. “Shards A Flyin” is a full sister to multiple Group race winner “Sly Flyin” (1.53.6).
This colts Grandam “Sly Soky” is also the Grandam of last seasons 2yr old Pacer Of The Year, “Smiling Shard”. Therefore making this colt the closest relative in the sale to “Smiling Shard” (a multiple Group race winner who has paced 1.53.7).
This colt has the same looks, confirmation and attitude as “Smiling Shard”, a must see for buyers.
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Lot 105
Breeders Mark and Debbie Smith offer under Shard Farm Breeding Ltd
Shards Of Cullen colt (Christian Cullen – She's Mighty)
Lot 105 in Christchurch, a bay colt by super sire Christian Cullen.
This colt is a full brother to multiple Group performers “Likemesiah” (1.55.9) & “Mighty Cullen” (1.50.4), also “Mighty Shard” (1.58.7).
This colt is a compact individual who will make a juvenile.
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Lot 48
Breeders Mark and Debbie Smith offer under Shard Farm Breeding Ltd
Shards Of Hail (filly - Falcon Seelster – Pearl Of Wisdom)
Lot 48 in Christchurch, a bay filly by Falcon Seelster out of the 4 win Holmes Hanover mare “Pearl Of Wisdom”.
This fillies maternal sires are Holmes Hanover, Noodlum and Lordship. She is from a family that is not usually offered at the yearling sales.
Her dam “Pearl Of Wisdom” is a half sister to “Rocking Lilly” (1.57.6, 19 wins). This is also the family of “Beau Hanover” (1.53.4, 10 wins) & “OK Beau” (1.57.5, 12 wins).
She has the look of a colt and is a compact type that is likely to make a juvenile.
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Lot 221
Breeder Mrs S.J. Purdue offers
Shezaball (filly - Presidential Ball – Averil's Atom)
Lot 221 in Christchurch, a bay filly by Presidential Ball out of the 2 win Soky’s Atom mare “Averil’s Atom”.
“Averil’s Atom” is a half sister to 6 winners including multiple Group winner, “New Age Man” (1.56.1, 12 wins) & “Cool Age Man” (1.55.2, 37 wins).
This filly is a half sister to “Shezacullen”, 8 Vic wins and $44,786 in stakes to date. She is a good size and well developed, has a lovely nature and is worthy of your inspection.
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Southern Bred Ready To Show (Thursday 4th February)
There will be some definite top billers from the Southern Bred Southern Reared yearlings at this months Christchurch Premier Sales.
Southland breeders were to the fore at last years sale and this year on pedigree alone, Highview Teejay offered by Allan Clark of Riverton, will perhaps command the most interest.
This colt is a full brother to Highview Tommy, the winner of just over $500,000. His half sister, Highview Chartom is also looking like an Oaks filly, winning two races in the space of a month for Mark Purdon and Grant Payne.
Shards Of Cullen from the Shard Farm draft is also expected to be chased by buyers keen to have a full brother to outstanding racehorses such as Likesiah and Mighty Cullen.
"This colt is a very correct brother to Likmesiah, Mighty Cullen and Mighty Shard. He looks like a two year old type, is very intelligent and is lovely to work with. He is the only Cullen from this mare to pace naturally in the paddock," said Shard Farm's Debbie Smith.
Shards Of Cullen
Debbie and husband Mark sold Shards Of Cullen's half brother Mister Presley for $105,000. at last years sales.
Of the other ten yearlings the Smiths are preparing, Mark says Next Excuse has really developed in the last month. This McArdle colt is out of Last Excuse, a full sister to Just An Excuse and Runnin Outa Excuses.
Southland trainer Allan Beck has a high opinion of the mare's first foal, Their Excuse which qualified in November.
"This tall son of McArdle has a special look about him that attracts attention. He's well put together and a great walker," said Debbie Smith.
There will also be interest in Shards of Art which has a pedigree that includes glamour pacer Smiling Shard. He's an Artsplace colt.
"Outstanding relation to Smiling Shard. He is well developed, muscular and very sensible to handle," said Smith.
Shards Of Art
Vendor Mark O'Conner, who has three yearlings on show, says the recent fine weather in Southland has helped fine tune the province's yearlings and he's hopeful that the sale will be a good one.
"I'm cautiously optimistic about the tone of the sales and I expect there will still be some useful bargains for anyone lining up ringside."
For those buyers keen on purchasing a mares first foal - O'Connor has a nice type in Fliteoftheconcords.
"Fliteoftheconchords has thickened up and has a beautiful coat on him while Primo Denario has been a good doer from day one and is a strong energetic filly in the paddock," he said about the pick of his yearlings.
Fliteoftheconcords
Southland vendor Vin Devery has two well bred youngsters at this years sale. Although Western Cullen (Christian Cullen - Western Dream) has a striking pedigree Devery is bullish about his other entry Prince of Luck.
This colt, by McArdle out of Wee Sister, apparently is a stunning individual. He has plenty of stout Southland blood in his pedigree too including Home First, Blurtoscar and Sires Stakes winner Arveeae.
Prince Of Luck's half brother Wee Brother is doing a good job for trainer Mark Jones while Peter Jones has stated that the mare's other foal Inmysisterspocket will make a two year old later in the season.
Arden Lodge progeny have certainly been to the fore recently with Bettor's Strike winning in Grand Circuit company in Australia and two year old Arden Tetrick a star qualifier in 1-57.5 at Ashburton.
From Tapanui vendors Noreen and John Stiven, Arden Torres will brighten Australian buyers eyes, being out of a Walton Hanover mare from a family full of black type.
His immediate pedigree stems from the 2000-2001 Broodmare Excellent winner Aberfeldy.
"This will be one of the most sought after Bettor's Delight colts at the premier. He's a magnificant specimen and has impressed all who have inspected him so far. His maternal pedigree is one of the best in the country," said preparer John Stiven
Arden Torres
Stiven also has high hopes for Fantastic Arden.
"This filly is getting helped at the moment with the two year old Bettor's Delight fillies going so well. Also her full brother Arden Tetrick has just qualified in 1.57.5. Fantastic Arden will be an awesome buy for someone wanting a top shelf filly from Arden's Dream the dam of many winners."
Beaudiene Beckham has been strong spirited while being handled and prepared for the sales - a trait Kennedy doesn't mind.
"He's a big strong powerful colt with attitude. He has taken after his sire Art Major - a very mature tough type.When the going gets tough the tough get going. A definite 2yr old type," said Kennedy.
His dam Beaudiene Ladylike looked very promising in her limited racing career winning two races.
Beaudiene Beckham
Another standout from the Kennedy draft is Absolute Reign.
By Christian Cullen out of outstanding mare Brilliant Franco, this colt has black type brothers and sisters all over the place.
Brilliant Franco has already left Pacific Reign (9 wins), Highflyin Fella (1-57.6 AUS) and Absolutely Brilliant (8 wins and 1-56.6)
"A lovely individual with excellent conformation and bone. A strong intelligent colt which is an excellent mover covering the ground effortlessly."
Brent and Sheree McIntyre venture into sales territory for the first time with their McArdle colt Macardo. He is out of seven win mare Jamie.
"Macardo is a good horse to work with and he is rounding into an athletic colt. There won't be many others in the catalogue out of a NZ record holder let alone from a seven win mare," said preparer John Stiven.
Macardo
Local harness enthusiast Julie McEwan will lead Earth Angel into the ring on the first day of the sales.
This Falcon Seelster filly is closely related to Percy The Punter (7 wins) and stems from classy mare In Or Out.
Falcon Seelster, as a sire, has made a resurgence in the last few years with buyers going back to the Warm Breeze stallion for both colts and fillies.
"She has thrived over the last 6 weeks and has developed into a strong filly who stands over a lot of ground. She's from a family of proven 2yr olds and has the looks and attitude to make a juvenile," said McEwan.
![2201_0061Earthangel6x9[1]_1.jpg](http://www.southlandharness.co.nz/admin/plugins/ImageManager/demo_images/1to12/2201_0061Earthangel6x9[1]_1.jpg)
Earth Angel
Clelland Murdoch has a Real Desire filly that has plenty of American pedigree. Northview Desire is out of the On The Road Again mare Watch Your Step which has left five foals to race for three winners.
Included in that list is Stopwatch which has paced a 1-52.0 American mile time and the recently exported Announcement which won eight races in New Zealand.
"This is a lovely big strong free moving filly with a lovely attitude. She has great conformation," said preparer Dave Kennedy.
Northview Desire
Shezaball is another Southland bred filly in the sale. She is out of the Soky's Atom mare Averil's Atom which has already left Shezacullen the winner of eight races in Victoria.
Her second dam Quest For Glory left smart horses in New Age Man (12 wins), and Cool Age Man (34 USA wins).
"This filly is big, strong but well mannered and happy to work with her handler. She is correct and stands across plenty of ground, said preparer Debbie Smith.
Shezaball
The province will play host to a number of prominent buyers on Monday 8th February and Tuesday 9th February as a part of the SBSR Yearling Sales Tour.
The Southland leg of the tour included yearlings at Michelle Caig's, Dave and Dawn Kennedy, Highview Stud, Denario Breeding, Barron Bloodstock, Shard Farm and Arden Lodge.
One trainer absent from this years tour will be Mark Purdon. www.southlandharness.co.nz understands he and leading owner Neil Pilcher have already visited the province looking primarily colts.
(PBA)
