The yearlings at New Zealand Bloodstock's upcoming South Island Sale will be presented by a host of respected and skilled vendors, including a newcomer to the vendor ranks.
The 2017 South Island Sale is the debut appearance for Robert Dennis under the Ravelston Stud banner.
Robert Dennis is a son of Tony Dennis, who alongside his brothers Joe, Martin and Ray has entered New Zealand breeding and racing folklore. Breeders and owners of such legendary names as The Phantom, The Phantom Chance, The Fantasy, The Twinkle and The Jewel, the Dennis brothers were honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to Racing Award at the 2015 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Awards.
The next generation of the Dennis family, Robert will present three members of an outstanding thoroughbred dynasty.
- Lot 98 is a filly by Gallant Guru out of The Freckle, whose six winners include the stakes winner The Pearler.
- Lot 99 is a Gallant Guru colt out of The Gem, closely related to the likes of El Chico, The Beekeeper and Sold for Song.
- Lot 100 is a filly by Rock 'N' Pop out of The Glitter, who is a half-sister to The Jewel and to Star Affair – dam of current pin-up filly La Diosa.
"This is my first sale," Dennis said. "It's pretty exciting – we don't often sell fillies from this family, so it's going to be a pretty rare opportunity for buyers to invest into this female line.
"The family's been going well lately, with La Diosa winning a Group 2 in Sydney as well as the 1000 Guineas here. Recent form is always good.
"The filly out of The Glitter is a big, strong upstanding filly who I would definitely say is the standout of our three."
Another member of the family is Lot 17, a filly by Gallant Guru out of Blessed Thee, making her a half-sister to the stakes winner The Bishop. She is part of a 16-strong draft for perennial leading vendors White Robe Lodge. The famed Otago nursery has enjoyed recent success on the racetrack including Coulee and Fascinate's quinella in the Group 3 Valachi Downs South Island Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes, along with stakes successes for Raise The Flag's progeny Raise You Ten and Parthesia.
The NZ Racing Hall of Fame inductee and White Robe principal Brian Anderton has carefully selected a quality draft that features four fillies and a strong show of colts with twelve on offer.
While 12 of White Robe Lodge's yearlings are by their resident stallions Gallant Guru and Raise The Flag, other stallions represented include Nadeem, Zacinto, Ferlax and Highly Recommended. Their draft also includes Lot 29, a half-sister to the trans-Tasman Group 1 performer Who Shot Thebarman and Lot 8 a half-brother to Group 3 winner Millbank.
Inglewood Stud is in the middle of one of the most exciting periods in its 75-year history, with stallion Zacinto achieving outstanding early success through the likes of Ugo Foscolo and Zigwig. Owned and operated by the Wigley family in North Canterbury, Inglewood will offer a four-horse draft at the South Island Sale which includes Lot 24, a Zacinto half-brother to Group 1 winner The Party Stand.
Waimate's Pear Tree Farm will present 11 yearlings by a range of stallions including Ocean Park, Dalghar, Excelebration and Pentire. Lot 26 is a Jimmy Choux colt out of Dear Diary, making him a half-brother to the Listed winner Pocket Diary and the Group 2 placegetter Megawatt.
Mansfield Farm in Rangiora has a three-horse draft catalogued, two of which are by Ekraar and all of them closely related to stakes performers. Lot 36 is a half-sister to jointly crowned 2009/10 Southern Filly of The Year Mercury Mistress, Lot 82 is a half to Cherry Creek and Lot 33 is a full to Eclair Samba.
Eight yearlings will go through the ring from Three Valleys in Timaru, with particular interest in Lot 14 – a full-brother to the Listed winner and Group 1-placed Belle Miraaj.
Cotswold Farm in Winton will sell two yearlings, with Lot 45 hailing from the same family as recent Australian Group 1 performers Tulip and I Am A Star.
Another relation to these Group 1 performers is Lot 61 a filly by Darci Brahma out of Open Stage presented for sale by Willow Glen. The Waimate-based farm are also offering Lot 18, who is from the same family as multiple Group 1-winner and Australian Derby hopeful Gingernuts (NZ).
Bred on the same cross as 2016 Australian Derby winner Tavago is Lot 67, one of five yearlings from the Park Hill Stables draft.
Christchurch's Berkley Stud is another farm riding the crest of a wave. Stallion Highly Recommended has made an outstanding start with his first crop, with Waldorf and Joyfilly both winners and stakes placegetters. Berkley will offer 10 yearlings by Highly Recommended at the upcoming Sale, along with progeny of Jakkalberry, Skilled, Alamosa, Showcasing, Coats Choice and Jimmy Choux.
Berkley's impressive 18-horse draft also features relatives to stakes performers Kingsman (Lot 31), Elle Lou (Lot 50) and Ferrando (Lot 101).
Berkley will also present Lot 105, one of two recent supplementary Lots in the catalogue. The colt is by Super Easy out of the Cape Cross mare Ferazzure.
The other supplementary Lot is Lot 106, presented by K.M. James. She is a Captain Rio filly out of the Danzighill mare Lifter.
The yearlings at this year's South Island Sale will be a credit to their vendors, many of whom experienced property damage and/or major logistical challenges following the November earthquake but will nevertheless present their drafts in immaculate condition.
The South Island Session of the National Yearling Sales Series is your last opportunity in 2017 to secure a yearling eligible to enter the lucrative Karaka Million Series, including the $1m Karaka Million in 2018, the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic in 2019, and the $100,000 Karaka Stayers Cup for the duration of their racing careers.
The Sale will be held at the Riding for the Disabled Building at the Canterbury Agricultural Park in Christchurch on 21 April 2017, commencing from Lot 1 at 11am. Purchasers are encouraged to register as a buyer or appoint an agent online prior to the Sale.
The New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Association; Canterbury Westland, Marlborough, Otago Branch warmly invite you for complimentary drinks and nibbles now at the earlier time of 4pm on Thursday 20 April 2017, at the RDA Building, Canterbury Agricultural Park.
