Seven minutes of theatre at NZB Standardbred yearling sales at Karaka

By Michael Guerin

Yearling sales history was created not once but twice in seven minutes of stunning standardbred symmetry at the NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sales at Karaka on Saturday.

The record-shattering day started when Lot 70, a son of Captaintreacherous and champion mare Adore Me set a new highest price for a yearling sold in Australasia going for $360,000. 

Sold by Woodlands Stud he was purchased by Stonewall Stud to the will-not-be-denied bidding of Steve Stockman.

The buzz hadn’t even dulled in the ring when that record figure was equalled just minutes later, by a colt who looked different but had so many similarities.

Lot 73, this time being sold by Breckon Farms, was also a son of Captaintreacherous out of a Bettors Delight mare, this time Bettor Twist, who was a one-time stablemate of Adore Me at All Stars.

And, just like the record-setter minutes earlier, he also went to $360,000 to Stonewall Stud and Stockman.

It was remarkable theatre, with the two colts sharing so much but the Adore Me the bigger and stronger whereas the Bettor Twist looked sharper, more compact and natural.

While the owners of both Woodlands and Breckon Farms where stoked, and happy to share the new record glory, Stonewall senior trainer Steve Telfer was left stunned.

“They are both lovely colts so to get both is a real thrill,” says Telfer.

“They are different, the Bettors Twist looks very natural and had real polish on him but the Adore Me has thrived and really improved just in the last 10-12 days.”

Stonewall got six yearlings for the day, including a $150,000 trotter (Lot 17) from Breckon Farms, and Telfer says the two record holder will soon part ways.

“We spoke about it before the sale just in case we got them both and the Bettor Twist will head south to Amanda’s barn because Tim Williams works there and he had so much to do with Bettor Twist as a racehorse.

“And the Adore Me will stay up here with me for the start of his career.”

The pair weren’t the only record breakers, with Lot 106 selling to Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan for $240,000 a record for a trotter at Karaka, albeit just short of the $280,000 overall New Zealand record for the gait.

By French hero Face Time Bourbon out of Dance Craze, a daughter of La Coocaracha, he was part of a strong offering from Yabby Dam Farms, beautifully prepared by Logan Hollis and Shane Robertson.

Yabby Dam owner Pat Driscoll said he is loving the positivity around New Zealand harness racing and will be back with future drafts.

Overall the sale was extremely strong and while there will still be business to be done on passed in lots by Saturday night the average sat at a record $62,742, with the aggregate over $5.7million, the median at $40,000.

The clearance rate was at 72.8 per cent and of the 91 lots sold at the end of the sale 83 were to New Zealand owners or trainers, with eight lots to Australian stables.

“The day has been a huge success and it was very special to have those two big boys so close together,” said NZB Standardbred rep Cam Bray.

Considering the dip in almost all sales of either code on both sides of the Tasman so far this summer, the results were superb.

The sales continue in Christchurch on Tuesday with the first lot at 11am.