Karaka Pacing Momentum Continues in Christchurch

15 February 2022

The clearance rate climbed to 76% of the first day of the pacing session.

The market was buoyant throughout the first day of the Pacing session at NZB Standardbred’s 2022 National Yearling Sale in Christchurch today. 

With an abundance of competition on quality lots, the key sale indicators were up significantly on last year’s results at the end of Day Two in Christchurch.

The clearance rate climbed to 76%, increasing by 16 percent on 2021’s results at the end of Day Two.

The average and median also rose to $51,338 and $35,000 respectively, while the aggregate was just shy of $4 million dollars closing at $3,953,000.

NZB Standardbred Auctioneer Cam Bray was delighted with the surge in results.

“We had a lot of interest scattered right throughout the catalogue and people are obviously coming here to buy horses,” he said.

“The rivalry in the sale ring was solid, with plenty of bidding duels taking place both online and at Canterbury Agricultural Park.

“Both the top end and middle markets were strong, which has indicated to us that the Sale is going to maintain pace as we head into the final day of trading tomorrow.”

Lot 295 was purchased by Stonewall Stud for a top price of $260,000.

The highlight of the day came when Lot 295 was knocked down for a top price of $260,000, a Bettor’s Delight colt out of prolific Group One-winning mare Fight For Glory (NZ) (Art Major). 

Showing his dominance in the sale ring during the pacing session, Steve Stockman of Stonewall Stud secured the quality colt offered by Mark and Debbie Smith of Shard Farm.

The stable also claimed the leading purchaser title by both aggregate and average at the end of day one of the Pacing session, taking home seven yearlings for a total turnover of $1,015,000 and an average spend of $145,000.

Stonewall Stud’s stable Representative David White commented on the day of purchasing.

“He [Steve Stockman] has had another busy day and he is pretty happy overall with the quality of stock he managed to secure today.”

“There were a lot of good judges and action on Lot 295. He is out of a great family and a quality mare, and we were happy to secure him,” he said.

The buoyancy from Captaintreacherous and Always B Miki in the pacing stallion market flowed on from the strong figures achieved at the Auckland Sale.

Captaintreacherous delivered the second highest price on day one of the Pacing session, when Lot 254, a colt out of Bettor Think Twice (NZ) was purchased by Stonewall Stud for $185,000. He was offered by Ken Spicer’s Rosedale Farm.

Beaudiene Breeding offered Lot 245, a filly by Always B Miki (ex Beaudiene Babe), who was purchased by Peter Lagan Standardbred’s for $180,000.

Champion sire Bettor’s Delight remained at the top of the sires table at the close of Day Two in Christchurch, selling 10 lots for an average price of $109,500.

Shard Farm finished the first day of the pacing session on a high note, selling nine out of nine yearlings catalogued for a total aggregate of $522,000, including the top lot which now equals Breckon Farm’s Lot 66, also purchased for $260,000.

Day Two of the Sale of Pacers will commence Wednesday 16 February, with Lots 311 to 415 selling from 1PM (NZT).

The Christchurch session will continue to be broadcast to viewers on Freeview Channel 200, with coverage streamed live at nzbstandradbred.co.nz and on NZB Standardbred’s facebook page. Presenter Greg O’Connor will again bring key sale highlights and interviews throughout the day and will host a Preview Show beginning tomorrow at 12:30PM (NZT).

All unbroken yearlings purchased at the 2022 National Standardbred Yearling Sale are eligible for the lucrative $1million 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 highlights and replays from the first day of the Sale of Pacers in Christchurch here.

2022 National Yearling Sale Statistics – Christchurch Pacing Session Day One
  2022 Christchurch Pacers Sale - Day 1 2021 Christchurch Pacers Sale - Day 1 2020 Christchurch Pacers Sale Total
Aggregate $3,953,000 $3,016,500 $6,479,500
Average $51,338 $44,360 $43,487
Median $35,000 $31,000 $30,000
Clearance 77% 62% 78%
Catalogued 105 122 209
Sold 77 71 149
Top Price $260,000 Lot 295 (B.C) Bettor's Delight - Fight For Glory $240,000 Lot 289 (B.C) Bettor's Delight - Bonnie Joan $280,000 Lot 243 (B.F) Bettor's Delight - Pemberton Shard