By Myra Lewyn

A colt by New Zealand champion sire Zabeel out of multiple Australasian champion mare Sunline sold for $1,377,998 ($2-million New Zealand) on Tuesday to top New Zealand Bloodstock Ltd.’s record-breaking two-day premier session of the National yearling at the company’s Karaka sales center.

Consigned by Sir Patrick Hogan’s Cambridge Stud, the Australian-bred bay colt was purchased by Manukau Bloodstock on behalf of Auckland real estate broker Don Ha.

The price was the third-highest ever for a horse sold at Karaka.

Ha said he saw the colt for the first time on Tuesday but made up his mind on Monday to pursue his purchase.

“I was motivated by the success of horses like [New Zealand champion and Australian Group 1 winner] Darci Brahma [by Danehill out of 2000 Australian Oaks (Aus-G1) winner Grand Echezeaux) and thought there is only one opportunity to buy a horse like this,” Ha said. “I plan to form a syndicate to race him and, with his pedigree, keep him as a future stallion prospect.

Ha also sought out one of the colt’s former owners, New Zealand-based trainer Stephen McKee, to train the youngster. McKee’s father, Trevor, co-owned and trained Sunline, a daughter of Desert Sun (GB), to three Horse of the Year titles in Australia and four in New Zealand.

“It was a bolt out of the blue when he asked me, but of course I’m overjoyed,” McKee said.

Overall, 363 horses of 459 cataloged were sold for total receipts of $39,158,593 ($56,834,000 New Zealand), an all-time record. The figure was up 14% from last year, when 395 horses were sold.  Average price increased 24% to a record $107,874 ($156,567 New Zealand). Median price soared 38% to $75,789 ($110,000 New Zealand).

"It has been a sensational result for the industry, with record returns to vendors and a strong median and clearance rate (84%) showing that there was genuine strength and depth to the market,” New Zealand Bloodstock Marketing Manager Petrea Vela said.

"Particularly pleasing was the buying bench assembled at Karaka, one of the strongest we have seen here in some time. There was overwhelming demand for good quality bloodstock, continuing a trend we have seen around the world over the past months. New Zealand buyers were also out in force, which we hope will continue throughout the rest of the week at Karaka.”

The National yearling sale continues Wednesday with the first day of the three-day select portion. A live webcast of the sale, and complete sale results, can be accessed at www.nzb.co.nz.

Myra Lewyn is a daily news editor for Thoroughbred Times