Lot 301 with Toby Keonig
Trish Dunell
Masterton-based Little Avondale Stud celebrated their 75th anniversary of attending the annual national yearling sales with a special function in their on-site marquee at Karaka on Monday night.
Less than 24 hours later they had reason to splash out on a further shindig when they set a stud record as their Savabeel colt, Lot 301, was snapped up by Ultra Thoroughbred Racing representative Toby Koenig for $775,000.
The flashy colt is from unraced mare Generous Nature and is a full-brother to the multiple stakes performer Savvy Nature, who is currently racing in Hong Kong.
Koenig had struck early on day one of the premier sale session when he outlaid $280,000 for another Savabeel colt and he admitted the progeny of the Waikato Stud-based stallion held a powerful attraction.
"We have always been keen on the Savabeels, having bought a number of them through this sale," he said.
"Their racetrack performance been outstanding and you can see the fierce competition every time a yearling by him steps into the ring. We've managed to secure a pair of superb colts and we're very happy to be taking them home to Australia."
The colt had been on Koenig's radar since he began his due diligence on this year's Karaka catalogue.
"We came over in December to do our pre-sale inspections, although we didn't actually see this colt until we arrived at the complex last week," he said.
"We had done a lot of work on the sale videos and I was very keen to see him in the flesh. He didn't disappoint and as we had bought some very nice horses from Little Avondale before we knew we would be buying quality if we could secure him."
Koenig headed off a stern challenge from local bloodstock agent Michael Wallace, who finished as underbidder on the colt.
Little Avondale principal Sam Williams couldn't hide his delight at the result, particularly on the stud's anniversary.
"To set a record price is just massive," he said. "It's a very special year for us and to set a new benchmark for the stud is amazing.
"We were able to reminisce on Monday night about some of our achievements and this will feature heavily from now on."
Williams was on edge as the colt entered the auction ring after tracking interest in him through the Thoroughworks.com website.
"We knew by the parades we had for him that interest was high and I think he was the most viewed colt on Thoroughworks," he said.
"You always hope that translates into action in the ring and it certainly did this time. We're here to meet the market and he was for sale from the opening bid.
"We have a Sebring filly at home from the mare so I'm really looking forward to next year already." – NZ Racing Desk
Less than 24 hours later they had reason to splash out on a further shindig when they set a stud record as their Savabeel colt, Lot 301, was snapped up by Ultra Thoroughbred Racing representative Toby Koenig for $775,000.
The flashy colt is from unraced mare Generous Nature and is a full-brother to the multiple stakes performer Savvy Nature, who is currently racing in Hong Kong.
Koenig had struck early on day one of the premier sale session when he outlaid $280,000 for another Savabeel colt and he admitted the progeny of the Waikato Stud-based stallion held a powerful attraction.
"We have always been keen on the Savabeels, having bought a number of them through this sale," he said.
"Their racetrack performance been outstanding and you can see the fierce competition every time a yearling by him steps into the ring. We've managed to secure a pair of superb colts and we're very happy to be taking them home to Australia."
The colt had been on Koenig's radar since he began his due diligence on this year's Karaka catalogue.
"We came over in December to do our pre-sale inspections, although we didn't actually see this colt until we arrived at the complex last week," he said.
"We had done a lot of work on the sale videos and I was very keen to see him in the flesh. He didn't disappoint and as we had bought some very nice horses from Little Avondale before we knew we would be buying quality if we could secure him."
Koenig headed off a stern challenge from local bloodstock agent Michael Wallace, who finished as underbidder on the colt.
Little Avondale principal Sam Williams couldn't hide his delight at the result, particularly on the stud's anniversary.
"To set a record price is just massive," he said. "It's a very special year for us and to set a new benchmark for the stud is amazing.
"We were able to reminisce on Monday night about some of our achievements and this will feature heavily from now on."
Williams was on edge as the colt entered the auction ring after tracking interest in him through the Thoroughworks.com website.
"We knew by the parades we had for him that interest was high and I think he was the most viewed colt on Thoroughworks," he said.
"You always hope that translates into action in the ring and it certainly did this time. We're here to meet the market and he was for sale from the opening bid.
"We have a Sebring filly at home from the mare so I'm really looking forward to next year already." – NZ Racing Desk