Dynamic Trading Concludes 2023 National Yearling Sale
22 February 2023
Buoyant trading concluded the final session of NZB Standardbred’s 2023 National Yearling Sale in Christchurch.
The Sale was bookended with top level prices and strong participation from domestic and international buyers.
NZB Standardbred Manager Cam Bray was satisfied with the results at the close of trading.
“We had a great session to close on today, with a strong beginning and conclusion.”
“It has been a bit of a roller coaster this week but we got through it and I think we have plenty to be happy about overall.
“The West Australians came back in force. They made it very clear that they wanted to come back here and be physically on the grounds.
“They have done what they said they were going to do, so we are really pleased,” Bray said.
Champion New Zealand sire Bettor’s Delight was responsible for producing the top three purchases made on Day Three in Christchurch, including a highlight price of $230,000.
Agent Peter Lagan was active in the sale ring again, securing the first and fourth highest-priced yearlings during the final day on behalf of West Australian buyer Jim Giumelli.
Lagan purchased Lot 364, a colt by Bettor’s Delight out of Group Two-winning mare Safedra (NZ) (Mach Three) for $230,000. Prepared by Laura Smith, the lot is a full sibling to two stakes winners Dr Susan (NZ) and NZB graduate La Rosa (NZ).
Lagan commented on the top purchases he made during the final session.
“In my opinion, this was the best colt [Lot 364] in the Sale,” Lagan said.
“I told Jim [Giumelli] a month ago that I thought he was the best colt here and that is the one they wanted to go home with.”
Fillies with residual value fetched significant prices over the duration of the 2023 National Yearling Sale, a theme becoming more prominent in the NZB Standardbred sale ring.
Lagan also secured Lot 316, a filly by Bettor’s Delight out of Group One winner Luisanabelle Midfrew (NZ). The agent purchased the yearling for $150,000 from Renwick Farm’s draft.
“She is a racing filly. She was a late foal and has a bit of filling out to do but she is very athletic.
“In my opinion, the fillies I have found here are better than the colts.
“When a big one comes in all the players come in to play,” Lagan commented.
The second highest-priced yearling on Day Three was secured by Stonewall Stud. Lot 406, a Bettor’s Delight colt out of Wiggleit Jiggleit (NZ), was purchased by the stable for $210,000 from Dancingonmoonlight.
Stonewall Stud also secured the combined leading purchaser by aggregate title at both the Auckland and Christchurch sessions. Steve Stockman was dominant in the sale ring, purchasing 19 lots for a total spend of $2,412,000.
The leading vendor by aggregate of the Christchurch session was preparer Laura Smith, who sold 15 yearlings lots for a total turnover of $1,003,000 and an average of $66,867.
The leading vendor by average at the Christchurch session was John and Katrina Price, selling under their Price Bloodstock banner. The duo sold five yearlings for an average price of $82,000 and aggregate of $410,000.
First season sire Captain Crunch was also well received during the opening of the final session, with Lot 301 selling for a $125,000 pricetag. Offered by Spreydon Lodge, the colt out of Kensington Kate (NZ) was purchased by leading New Zealand trainer Cran Dalgety of Kentuckiana Lodge.
All yearlings purchased at the 2023 National Standardbred Yearling Sale are eligible for the lucrative $1 million dollar Harness Million Sale Race Series.
To make enquiries about any Passed Lots, contact NZB Standardbred’s Cam Bray on +64 21 737 199 or email [email protected].
View the 2023 National Yearling Sale highlights and lot-by-lot footage here.
2023 Christchurch Pacing Sale Statistics (at end of selling)
| 2023 Christchurch Pacers Sale Total | 2022 Christchurch Pacers Sale Total | 2021 Christchurch Pacers Sale Total | 2020 Christchurch Pacers Sale Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregate | $7,053,500 | $7,624,000 | $7,143,000 | $6,479,500 |
| Average | $49,673 | $49,187 | $43,030 | $43,487 |
| Median | $32,750 | $35,000 | $27,500 | $30,000 |
| Clearance | 73% | 78% | 71% | 78% |
| Catalogued | 212 | 210 | 247 | 209 |
| Sold | 142 | 155 | 166 | 149 |
| Top Price | $240,000 Lot 277 (B.C) Bettor's Delight - Hartofdixie | $260,000 Lot 295 (B.C) Bettor's Delight - Fight For Glory | $320,000 Lot 361 (B.C) Bettor's Delight - Hartofdixie | $280,000 Lot 243 (B.F) Bettor's Delight - Pemberton Shard |
2023 National Yearling Sale – Combined Overall Statistics
| 2023 National Yearling Sale - Combined Total | 2022 National Yearling Sale - Combined Total | 2021 National Yearling Sale - Combined Total | 2020 National Yearling Sale - Combined Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregate | $13,336,000 | $14,753,000 | $13,333,500 | $12,109,250 |
| Average | $50,901 | $49,507 | $45,198 | $43,247 |
| Median | $39,000 | $38,750 | $30,000 | $30,000 |
| Clearance | 69% | 76% | 72% | 76% |
| Catalogued | 406 | 415 | 430 | 388 |
| Sold | 262 | 298 | 295 | 280 |
| Top Price | $300,000 Lot 74 (B.F) Captaintreacherous - Goodlookinggirl | $260,000 Lot 66 (B.C) Bettor's Delight - Double Twist; $260,000 Lot 295 (B.C) Bettor's Delight - Fight For Glory | $320,000 Lot 361 (B.C) Bettor's Delight - Hartofdixie | $280,000 Lot 146 (Ch.C) Love You - Queen Kenny; $280,000 Lot 243 (B.F) Bettor's Delight - Pemberton Shard |
2023 Top Lots – Christchurch Pacing Day Two Session
| Lot | Breeding | Vendor | Purchaser | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 364 | Bettor's Delight / Safedra B.C | L. Smith | Peter Lagan Standardbreds (Canterbury) | $ 230,000 |
| 406 | Bettor's Delight / Wiggleit Jiggleit B.F | Dancingonmoonlight | Stonewall Stud Ltd (Auckland) | $ 210,000 |
| 384 | Bettor's Delight / Supersonic Miss B.C | L. Smith | Stonewall Stud Ltd (Auckland) | $ 165,000 |
| 316 | Bettor's Delight / Luisanabelle Midfrew B.F | PI & PM Renwick Farm | Peter Lagan Standardbreds (Canterbury) | $ 150,000 |
| 301 | Captain Crunch / Kensington Kate B.C | Spreydon Lodge | Kentuckiana Lodge Ltd (Canterbury) | $ 125,000 |
| 325 | Bettor's Delight / Luna Danza B.C | Dancingonmoonlight | Stonewall Stud Ltd (Auckland) | $ 120,000 |
| 314 | Bettor's Delight / Larissa Rose B.F | Dancingonmoonlight | Mr SG Pulley (Canterbury) | $ 105,000 |
| 355 | Art Major / Ragazza Bromac B.C | Pinelea Farm | Mr NB Cleaver (Southland) | $ 100,000 |
| 373 | Captaintreacherous / Smiley Sophie B.C | Broadfield Lodge | Kentuckiana Lodge Ltd (Canterbury) | $ 100,000 |
| 308 | Bettor's Delight / Lady Gilpin B.F | Dancingonmoonlight | Stonewall Stud Ltd (Auckland) | $ 97,500 |
2023 National Yearling Sale – Combined Top Lots
| Lot | Breeding | Vendor | Purchaser | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 74 | Captaintreacherous / Goodlookinggirl B.F | Breckon Farms Ltd | Charles Joseph Ltd (Auckland) | $ 300,000 |
| 63 | Captaintreacherous / Elle Mac B.C | Breckon Farms Ltd | Stonewall Stud Ltd (Auckland) | $ 270,000 |
| 277 | Bettor's Delight / Hartofdixie B.C | Price Bloodstock | Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan Racing Stables (Auckland) | $ 240,000 |
| 364 | Bettor's Delight / Safedra B.C | L. Smith | Peter Lagan Standardbreds (Canterbury) | $ 230,000 |
| 119 | Captain Crunch / The Orange Agent B.C | Hollis & Robertson Equine Services | Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan Racing Stables (Auckland) | $ 220,000 |
| 406 | Bettor's Delight / Wiggleit Jiggleit B.F | Dancingonmoonlight Ltd | Stonewall Stud Ltd (Auckland) | $ 210,000 |
| 240 | Bettor's Delight / Christian Dreamer B.F | Shard Farm | Peter Lagan Standardbreds (Canterbury) | $ 190,000 |
| 384 | Bettor's Delight / Supersonic Miss B.C | L. Smith | Stonewall Stud Ltd (Auckland) | $ 165,000 |
| 200 | Art Major / Agree With Me B.C | Spreydon Lodge Ltd | Montana Park P/L (Queensland) | $ 160,000 |
| 271 | Captaintreacherous / Gibson Girl B.C | Dunvegan Lodge | Peter Lagan Standardbreds (Canterbury) | $ 150,000 |
| 316 | Bettor's Delight / Luisanabelle Midfrew B.F | PI & PM Renwick Farm | Peter Lagan Standardbreds (Canterbury) | $ 150,000 |
2023 Leading Purchasers – Christchurch Sale
| Purchaser | Bought | Aggregate | Average | Top Price | Top Lot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stonewall Stud | 22 | $ 1,632,000 | $ 74,182 | $ 210,000 | 406 |
| Peter Lagan Standardbreds | 6 | $ 855,000 | $ 142,500 | $ 230,000 | 364 |
| Diamond Racing Stables | 12 | $ 625,000 | $ 52,083 | $ 95,000 | 180 |
| Mr AG Herlihy | 5 | $ 257,500 | $ 51,500 | $ 100,000 | 179 |
| Kentuckiana Lodge | 3 | $ 255,000 | $ 85,000 | $ 125,000 | 301 |
| Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan Racing Stables | 1 | $ 240,000 | $ 240,000 | $ 240,000 | 277 |
| Montana Park P/L | 2 | $ 225,000 | $ 112,500 | $ 160,000 | 200 |
| Team Bond Pty | 4 | $ 197,500 | $ 49,375 | $ 85,000 | 238 |
| Mrs JL Feiss | 3 | $ 185,000 | $ 61,667 | $ 130,000 | 286 |
| PI & GJ Kennard Bloodstock | 5 | $ 183,000 | $ 36,600 | $ 100,000 | 247 |
2023 Leading Purchasers – Combined Overall
| Purchaser | Bought | Aggregate | Average | Top Price | Top Lot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stonewall Stud | 29 | $ 2,412,000 | $ 83,172 | $ 270,000 | 63 |
| Peter Lagan Standardbreds | 6 | $ 855,000 | $ 142,500 | $ 230,000 | 364 |
| Diamond Racing Stables | 16 | $ 822,500 | $ 51,406 | $ 95,000 | 180 |
| Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan Racing Stables | 4 | $ 725,000 | $ 181,250 | $ 240,000 | 277 |
| PI & GJ Kennard Bloodstock | 9 | $ 563,000 | $ 62,556 | $ 140,000 | 70 |
| Mr AG Herlihy | 9 | $ 405,500 | $ 45,056 | $ 100,000 | 179 |
| All Stars Racing Stables | 7 | $ 399,000 | $ 57,000 | $ 120,000 | 46 |
| Kentuckiana Lodge | 6 | $ 370,000 | $ 61,667 | $ 125,000 | 301 |
| Team Bond | 7 | $ 355,000 | $ 50,714 | $ 85,000 | 238 |
| Charles Joseph | 1 | $ 300,000 | $ 300,000 | $ 300,000 | 74 |
2023 Leading Vendor by Aggregate – Christchurch Sale
| Vendor | Entries | Sold | Aggregate | Average | Top Price | Top Lot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L. Smith | 20 | 15 | $ 1,003,000 | $ 66,867 | $ 230,000 | 364 |
| Dancingonmoonlight | 15 | 8 | $ 689,000 | $ 86,125 | $ 210,000 | 406 |
| Spreydon Lodge | 13 | 11 | $ 614,000 | $ 55,818 | $ 160,000 | 200 |
| Studholme Bloodstock | 16 | 12 | $ 580,500 | $ 48,375 | $ 90,000 | 226 |
| Shard Farm | 16 | 13 | $ 509,000 | $ 39,154 | $ 190,000 | 240 |
| White Stables | 13 | 9 | $ 508,000 | $ 56,444 | $ 95,000 | 180 |
| Dunvegan Lodge | 12 | 9 | $ 506,000 | $ 56,222 | $ 150,000 | 271 |
| Price Bloodstock | 5 | 5 | $ 410,000 | $ 82,000 | $ 240,000 | 277 |
| Rosedale Farm | 15 | 12 | $ 410,000 | $ 34,167 | $ 90,000 | 296 |
| PI & PM Renwick Farm | 15 | 7 | $ 401,500 | $ 57,357 | $ 150,000 | 316 |
2023 Leading Vendor by Aggregate – Combined Overall
| Vendor Name | Entries | Sold | Aggregate | Average | Top Price | Top Lot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breckon Farms | 36 | 27 | $ 2,230,500 | $ 82,611 | $ 300,000 | 74 |
| Woodlands Stud (NZ) | 37 | 29 | $ 1,258,000 | $ 43,379 | $ 115,000 | 118 |
| L. Smith | 20 | 15 | $ 1,003,000 | $ 66,867 | $ 230,000 | 364 |
| Dancingonmoonlight | 15 | 8 | $ 689,000 | $ 86,125 | $ 210,000 | 406 |
| Spreydon Lodge | 13 | 11 | $ 614,000 | $ 55,818 | $ 160,000 | 200 |
| Studholme Bloodstock | 16 | 12 | $ 580,500 | $ 48,375 | $ 90,000 | 226 |
| Hollis & Robertson Equine Services | 11 | 6 | $ 515,000 | $ 85,833 | $ 220,000 | 119 |
| Shard Farm | 16 | 13 | $ 509,000 | $ 39,154 | $ 190,000 | 240 |
| White Stables | 13 | 9 | $ 508,000 | $ 56,444 | $ 95,000 | 180 |
| Dunvegan Lodge | 12 | 9 | $ 506,000 | $ 56,222 | $ 150,000 | 271 |
2023 Leading Vendor by Average (three or more sold) – Christchurch Sale
| Vendor | Entries | Sold | Average | Aggregate | Top Price | Top Lot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dancingonmoonlight | 15 | 8 | $ 86,125 | $ 689,000 | $ 210,000 | 406 |
| Price Bloodstock | 5 | 5 | $ 82,000 | $ 410,000 | $ 240,000 | 277 |
| L. Smith | 20 | 15 | $ 66,867 | $ 1,003,000 | $ 230,000 | 364 |
| Arden Lodge | 4 | 3 | $ 66,333 | $ 199,000 | $ 140,000 | 212 |
| PI & PM Renwick Farm | 15 | 7 | $ 57,357 | $ 401,500 | $ 150,000 | 316 |
| White Stables | 13 | 9 | $ 56,444 | $ 508,000 | $ 95,000 | 180 |
| Dunvegan Lodge | 12 | 9 | $ 56,222 | $ 506,000 | $ 150,000 | 271 |
| Spreydon Lodge | 13 | 11 | $ 55,818 | $ 614,000 | $ 160,000 | 200 |
| Barron Bloodstock | 4 | 3 | $ 52,333 | $ 157,000 | $ 100,000 | 247 |
| Denario Breeding | 3 | 3 | $ 49,333 | $ 148,000 | $ 95,000 | 270 |
2023 Leading Vendor by Average (three or more sold) – Combined Overall
| Vendor | Entries | Sold | Average | Aggregate | Top Price | Top Lot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dancingonmoonlight | 15 | 8 | $ 86,125 | $ 689,000 | $ 210,000 | 406 |
| Hollis & Robertson Equine Services | 11 | 6 | $ 85,833 | $ 515,000 | $ 220,000 | 119 |
| Breckon Farms | 36 | 27 | $ 82,611 | $ 2,230,500 | $ 300,000 | 74 |
| Price Bloodstock | 5 | 5 | $ 82,000 | $ 410,000 | $ 240,000 | 277 |
| L. Smith | 20 | 15 | $ 66,867 | $ 1,003,000 | $ 230,000 | 364 |
| Arden Lodge | 4 | 3 | $ 66,333 | $ 199,000 | $ 140,000 | 212 |
| Tardina Stud | 7 | 3 | $ 62,500 | $ 187,500 | $ 100,000 | 1 |
| Alabar (NZ) | 8 | 8 | $ 59,375 | $ 475,000 | $ 120,000 | 46 |
| PI & PM Renwick Farm | 15 | 7 | $ 57,357 | $ 401,500 | $ 150,000 | 316 |
| White Stables | 13 | 9 | $ 56,444 | $ 508,000 | $ 95,000 | 180 |
2023 Leading Sires by Average (three or more sold) – Christchurch Sale
| Sire | Entries | Sold | Average | Aggregate | Top Price | Top Lot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bettor's Delight | 39 | 28 | $ 97,000 | $ 2,716,000 | $ 240,000 | 277 |
| Captaintreacherous | 14 | 11 | $ 84,773 | $ 932,500 | $ 150,000 | 271 |
| Art Major | 24 | 11 | $ 65,409 | $ 719,500 | $ 160,000 | 200 |
| Love You | 10 | 5 | $ 44,400 | $ 222,000 | $ 60,000 | 168 |
| En Solitaire | 5 | 3 | $ 42,667 | $ 128,000 | $ 95,000 | 180 |
| Downbytheseaside | 8 | 4 | $ 38,375 | $ 153,500 | $ 55,000 | 388 |
| Captain Crunch* | 44 | 29 | $ 35,707 | $ 1,035,500 | $ 125,000 | 301 |
| Majestic Son | 9 | 4 | $ 33,000 | $ 132,000 | $ 80,000 | 173 |
| Sweet Lou | 13 | 7 | $ 26,214 | $ 183,500 | $ 32,500 | 352 |
| Always B Miki | 33 | 25 | $ 23,980 | $ 599,500 | $ 55,000 | 311 |
*First Season Sire
2023 Leading Sires by Average (three or more sold) – Combined Overall
| Sire | Entries | Sold | Average | Aggregate | Top Price | Top Lot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Captaintreacherous | 22 | 18 | $ 107,917 | $ 1,942,500 | $ 300,000 | 74 |
| Bettor's Delight | 72 | 55 | $ 76,573 | $ 4,211,500 | $ 240,000 | 277 |
| American Ideal | 5 | 3 | $ 65,500 | $ 196,500 | $ 84,000 | 204 |
| Art Major | 33 | 17 | $ 64,235 | $ 1,092,000 | $ 160,000 | 200 |
| Father Patrick | 16 | 11 | $ 45,318 | $ 498,500 | $ 145,000 | 96 |
| Love You | 11 | 5 | $ 44,400 | $ 222,000 | $ 60,000 | 168 |
| En Solitaire | 6 | 3 | $ 42,667 | $ 128,000 | $ 95,000 | 180 |
| Captain Crunch* | 52 | 35 | $ 41,657 | $ 1,458,000 | $ 220,000 | 119 |
| Downbytheseaside | 20 | 9 | $ 38,389 | $ 345,500 | $ 70,000 | 91 |
| Sweet Lou | 26 | 17 | $ 34,971 | $ 594,500 | $ 62,500 | 22 |
*First Season Sire