One of the standout features of New Zealand Bloodstock’s upcoming National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka is the plethora of blue-blooded fillies on offer.
Quality fillies at Karaka is nothing new. A filly by Fastnet Rock out of Il Quello Veloce (NZ) (Captain Rio) topped the 2015 Premier Sale at $800,000, and the National Yearling Sales Series has been a springboard to stardom for many fillies in recent years such as Lucia Valentina (NZ) (Savabeel), Provocative (NZ) (Zabeel), Sofia Rosa (NZ) (Makfi), Valley Girl (NZ) (Mastercraftsman), Costume (NZ) (Savabeel), Diademe (NZ) (Savabeel), First Seal (Fastnet Rock), Gust of Wind (NZ) (Darci Brahma) and many more.
But the quantity and quality of the royally bred fillies set to go under the hammer at Karaka 2017 make this a very special opportunity for any buyer looking to add to their broodmare band. New Zealand-bred broodmares are a force to be reckoned with in Australian racing, with champion mare Winx (Street Cry) a standout example. She is a daughter of stakes-winning Kiwi mare Vegas Showgirl (NZ) (Al Akbar).
A large percentage of the well-bred fillies on offer at Karaka will be presented by Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan’s Cambridge Stud. Their exceptional draft includes daughters of Group 1-winning mares Veloce Bella (Lot 3) and Katie Lee (Lot 231), with a previous Katie Lee yearling having topped the 2014 Sale at $800,000.
Lot 42 is a half-sister to the dam of champion sprinter Lankan Rupee, and Lot 381 is a full-sister to this year’s Australian Derby winner Tavago. Numerous other fillies in the Cambridge Stud draft descend from the stud’s famed Eight Carat dam line.
But the Cambridge Stud draft is just one example of the exceptional fillies littered throughout the catalogues.
Sir Peter Vela’s Pencarrow Stud will offer Savabeel fillies out of Group 1-winning mares Banchee (Lot 58) and Guiseppina (Lot 190). Two other fillies in the Pencarrow draft are closely related to the recent Group Two winner and VRC Oaks placegetter Eleonora (Lots 4 and 320).
There are several other daughters of Group One-winning mares catalogued in the Premier Sale. Waikato Stud will offer a filly by Savabeel out of their triple Group 1 winner Daffodil (Lot 109), plus a Savabeel filly out of I Do (Lot 204).
The Oaks Stud will present Lot 392, a filly by Darci Brahma out of their champion mare Seachange – the winner of seven Group 1 races and a two-time New Zealand Horse of the Year.
Wentwood Grange sold the multiple Group 1 winner Kermadec at this Sale three years ago and will offer an Ocean Park half-sister (Lot 203) this year.
There are also daughters of Group 1 winning mares Keepa Cruisin (Lot 232), Prize Lady (Lot 353), Say No More (Lot 390), Shez Sinsational (Lot 402), Deebee Belle (Lot 645), Ekstreme (Lot 667) and Lashed (Lot 803).
Other fillies who are sure to be sought-after are the half or full-sisters to Group 1 winners Pondarosa Miss (Lot 57), Historian (Lot 108), Habibi (Lot 120), Irish Fling (Lot 214), Kawi (Lot 270), Rock Classic (Lot 282), Monaco Consul (Lot 537), Miss Mossman (Lot 636), Justa Tad (Lot 755) and freshman sire Ferlax (Lot 807).
Lot 113, a Savabeel filly offered by Brighthill Farm, is a three-quarter sister to Precedence. Lot 718, an Ekraar filly from Carter Bloodstock, is a three-quarter sister to Rising Romance.
