Photo: Bruno Cannatelli
A Proisir filly out of Donna Marie put Hallmark Stud’s name up in lights at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales last year, and in a week’s time, Mark Baker is hoping for a similar result in the Karaka auditorium with Lot 564.
Baker’s thoroughbred nursery topped the 2024 sale with the full-sister to multiple Group One winner Prowess, who was sold to Peter Moody Racing for a staggering $1.6 million.
Reflecting on that day, Baker still struggles to come to terms with such a phenomenal result.
“It’s hard to believe it happened and you’ve still got to pinch yourself,” he said. “We dreamt of seven figures, and when she made that, it was completely off the chain.
“It was amazing for the farm, the staff, the family, we got a huge buzz. We are very grateful to the heavy-hitters that were bidding on her, both the underbidders and Peter Moody who purchased her for his client.
“It’s certainly a day we won’t be forgetting in a hurry.”
Donna Marie, a mare by Don Eduardo, has produced another two full-sisters to Prowess and the first of those, Lot 564, will have her time to shine late in Book 1.
“She’s a very good filly, she’s dark brown unlike her two sisters,” Baker said. “Prowess was a bay and last year’s filly was a chestnut.
“She’s got a great brain, she’s very correct and has a very good action. Just like her sisters, she uses herself well and is beautifully balanced.
“We’re delighted, and even more thrilled that Donna Marie was able to throw us another filly, now at foot. She’s been a brilliant mare to us, as has Proisir.”
Hallmark Stud will be represented by a further 18 yearlings in Book 1 and five in Book 2, including Lot 521, a half-sister by Too Darn Hot to Group Two winner Shamus, and Lot 120, a full-brother by Savabeel to promising stayer Hakkinen.
“We’ve got a very good Too Darn Hot filly for Jomara Bloodstock, she’s a half to a Group winner,” Baker said. “She’s a lovely style of filly, she’s very correct and uses herself well, and is by a very hot stallion.
“The Savabeel colt is also a stand-out, he’s a full-brother to Hakkinen who recently ran fourth in the Salver (Listed, 2100m).”
Baker also singled out Lot 75, an Almanzor colt out of Lismore Diamond, and Lot 115, a Capitalist filly out of Group Three performer Miss Foxwood, who is from the family of champion galloper Mr Brightside.
“It depends what people are looking for, if they want a horse out early, we’ve got a Capitalist filly out of Miss Foxwood who I can see in the race in 12 months,” he said. “She’s from a beautiful family.
“We’ve got a lovely Almanzor colt out of Lismore Diamond on behalf of the Pike family, he’s a very good colt as well.
“It’s hard to single a few out, as there is something there for everyone. There are some very precocious types, a couple of St Mark’s Basilica’s, I’m very impressed with his first crop. There are others that you could definitely see over the Oaks and Derby trips as three-year-olds.”
Parades at Karaka will commence on Tuesday morning, with the Book 1 sale kicking off on Sunday at 11am.
“They’ve all travelled up brilliantly this morning, we’ve got a great team of staff up there and the horses are in great hands,” Baker said.
“They’ll just be settling the 19 in Book 1 in, ready to parade tomorrow. Hopefully they’ll handle it well, I’m sure the right people will turn up and New Zealand Bloodstock always do a great job in sending them.
“Hopefully they can show themselves off well and give themselves every chance.”
