Trish Dunell
Strong demand for the progeny of Haunui Farm based stallion Showcasing continued unabated at Karaka on Friday.
The Haunui Farm consigned Lot 906, a colt out of Zabeel mare Mary Agnes, was the subject of intense interest from a host of local and international buyers before being settled in favour of Magus Equine principal Willie Leung.
Leung was acting on behalf of Hong Kong business Mr Kwan who outlaid $160,000 for the youngster.
“He’s a strong and athletic horse and looks like he will be an early two-year-old type,” Leung said.
“We will keep the horse here for breaking in and a small preparation, and when he is ready we will take him back to Hong Kong to race.”
“Showcasing is a terrific young stallion, a Group One producer, so we really wanted one.”
Haunui Farm principal Mark Chitty was thrilled to see the solid support for Showcasing from a wide variety of buyers over the first six days of the sale.
“I think his stats, his runners and his performers have all helped,” he said.
“A lot of people haven’t bought them before and may have possibly just seen the back end of them on raceday.
“I think he has also had a really good line of yearlings as breeders work out the best style of mare that suit him on type.
“He’s being exposed in more markets and has done a good job.”
Showcasing was represented by nine individuals in the Book 1 session with all nine sold at an average just over $138,000, off the back of his $10,000 service fee.
His Book 2 results were equally impressive with 14 of 14 lots sold, including five in excess of $100,000 or more.
“I don’t think people appreciated just how strong Book 1 was going to be and it has filtered down into the Book 2 sale,” Chitty said.
“Going into Friday I was quite concerned, based on the number of parades, but we have to realise there are people who short-list for a lot of other prospective buyers. Those tickets go a lot further now than they used to as they are just not reporting to one person.
“Saturday and Sunday were the days though as we just never stopped.”
Chitty will now focus on completing his Book 3 activities where Haunui will offer the final five youngsters of their 2018 draft. – NZ Racing Desk