McKee Claims Festival Colt
Curraghmore offered only two lots during the Festival Sale at Karaka with a Perfectly Ready colt making $30,000 today.
The son of last season's champion freshman sire was purchased by respected horseman and former trainer Trevor McKee.
The colt is out of the Generous mare Platinum Belle who hails from a productive family.
Second dam Christiania Belle won the Gr 2 Dulcie Stakes while third dam Finezza Belle was the winner of the Gr 2 Grand Prix Stakes.
Curraghmore's only other offering during the session was a son of Any Suggestion who made $13,000.
He was purchased by Ruakaka trainer Ken Raie who prepared the dam's half-sister Mirkola Lass to wwin the Gr 2 Waikato Gold CUp.
Savabeel's Son Sells Well
Curraghmore ended the Select Sale at Karaka today with light representation but still made a quality impact.
The Savabeel colt proved highly-popular and was eventually knocked down to the Queensland trainer Gillian Heinrich.
Sold for $125,000, he is out of the winning Danehill mare Princess Uno who is from an international family.
It includes American Group winners Quixotic Lady and Confide and the Japanese Gr 1 performer Mayano Maybe.
The son of Stravinsky went to the bid of Cambridge trainer Brett McDoinald for $18,000.
He is out of a three-quarter sister to the Arc de Triomphe placegetter Sagara.
The family also features the presence of the multiple Gr 1 winner and successful sire Spinning World.
Postponed Colt Makes A Splash
A striking son of Postponed sold well for Curraghmore on the second day of the Premier Sale at Karaka.
The chestnut caught the eye of Western Australian agent John Chalmers who signed for the colt at $60,000.
He is out of the Stravinsky mare Lovemedo, who is a half-sister to the Gr 1 Queensland Oaks and Flight Stakes winner A Little Kiss.
It is also the family of the dual Gr 1 Champions' Mile winner Able One and the Gr 1 VRC Derby and Gr 1 SA Derby winner Rebel Raider.
On a day of steady trade, Curraghmore also sold a No Excuse Needed colt for $45,000.
He is from the family of fellow farm graduate and Listed Canterbury Breeders' Stakes winner Mygoodgrace.
A son of Duke of Marmalade, whose pedigree features the Gr 1 Australian Cup winner and sire Istidaad, made $20,000.
Kavanagh Gets The Nod
Leading Flemington trainer Mark Kavanagh will be the guiding hand behind the future racing career of Curraghmore's top-priced Premier Sale lot.
He has been entrusted with the future care of the Fastnet Rock filly out of Suitely who made $570,000 yesterday.
A half-sister to stakes-performer Merensky Reef, she was purchased by Sophie Magnier who will race the filly with a syndicate of friends.
Gordon Cunningham was thrilled with the farm's results over the two days of the Premier Sale.
"We missed the local participation of recent years at the lower end of the market, but overall we're very satisfied," he said.
Trade was steady for Curraghmore on the opening day of the Select Sale with just four lots on offer.
Caulfield trainer Peter Moody went to $47,500 for a Savabeel colt while Pukekohe horseman Richard Collett secured the Pins filly for $45,000.
A son of Any Suggestion was purchased by McVean Racing for $35,000 and at $30,000 the Iffraaj filly went to Challenge Thoroughbreds of Cambridge.
Starring Role For Fastnet Rock Filly
A daughter of Fastnet Rock brought an outstanding conclusion to Curraghmore's Premier Sale when she proved a headline act on day two.
The filly was the subject of spirited and prolonged bidding before she was finally knocked down for $570,000.
Out of the Woodman filly Suitely and a half-sister to stakes performer Merensky Reef, she is from the family of Gr 2 Alister Clark Stakes winner Flak Jacket.
It was no surprise that Chris Waller signed for Curraghmore's Encosta de Lago colt out of the winning Nassipour mare Myrrh for $300,000.
He is a half-brother to Triple Honour who won the Gr 1 Doncaster Handicap for the champion Sydney trainer.
Hong Kong interests went to $290,000 to claim another son of the champion sire Encosta de Lago out of the stakes-winning Danehill mare Lucida.
A Savabeel colt from the Danzero mare Primera Dama went to Victoria for $240,000 while Te Akau claimed the Fastnet Rock colt for $180,000.
He is out of the Galileo mare River Dreaming who is a grand-daughter of the Arc winner and US Horse of the Year All Along.
First-season sire Henrythenavigator also made a splash for Curraghmore with his son selling for $160,000.
Matamata agent Paul Moroney signed for the half-brother to the Gr 2 Wakeful Stakes runner-up Rahveel.
Stravinsky Colt A Cracker
Curraghmore enjoyed a solid and satisfying start to Karaka 2012 with a son of Stravinsky providing them with their top return on opening day.
The colt was purchased by Ginger Tankard, of Waikato Bloodstock, for $380,000 and is a half-brother to the Listed Soliloquy Stakes winner Holy Moly who is another graduate fo the farm.
"I've had a high opinion of the horse from birth and really rated him," Gordon Cunnigham said.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club secured Curraghmore's half-brother to the Gr 1 Turnbull Stakes winner Sphenophyta for $350,000 while a son of Galileo out of the Cape Cross mare Astonish was knocked down for $320,000 to Ireland's Adrian Nicol.
"We knew we had a really good draft that would be well-sought after," Cunningham said.
"We were confident they would make a lot of money and overall we're very, very happy."
Another feature lot was a son of High Chaparral and the Stravinsky mare Ballet Danseuse who made $230,000 to the bid of New Zealand Bloodstock.
He is out of a half-sister to high-profile farm graduates Efficient (Gr 1 Melbourne Cup, Gr 1 VRC Derby, Gr 1 Turnbull Stakes) and Guillotine (Gr 2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes).
Pencarrow Stud went to $200,000 for the Zabeel filly out of the Fasliyev mare Floridita, who is from the crack international family of Gr 1 winners Dancing Rain (English Oaks) and Maybe (Moyglare Stud Stakes).
"She was the value of the day, along with the Sir Percy colt at $40,000," Cunningham said.
The latter is a half-brother to Gr 2 Championship Stakes winner Boulevardofdreams and was secured by Anna Scott with a view to offering him again at the Ready to Run Sale.
The son of Danehill Dancer made $150,000 to Singapore interests while a Fastnet Rock colt and a Sir Percy filly each realised $130,000.
Poste Restante Easily Goes One Better
Poste Restante followed up her excellent Ellerslie performance with a commanding victory at Woodville today.
The Postponed filly had figured in an all-Curraghmore finish at her previous start earlier this month.
Poste Restante was runner-up to subsequent Gr 2 Royal Stakes winner Chicharita over 1600 metres.
She dropped back to Rating 65 company today and her class was evident with a two and a-half length success.
Out of the stakes-winning Volksraad mare Little Tee, Poste Restante holds a nomination for the Gr 1 New Zealand Oaks.
The feature name in her pedigree is Mickey's Town who won 20 races, including the Gr 1 Captain Cook Stakes.
Chicharita Beats The Best
Chicharita trumped the best of her age and sex today with a commanding victory in the Gr 2 Royal Stakes at Ellerslie.
Bred and raced by Curraghmore, the daughter of Towkay has made rapid progress this preparation with three wins from her five starts.
"She's a really smart filly and we came into this with a fair bit of confidence," said Mike Moroney, who prepares her with Andrew Clarken at Matamata.
"We've always thought she was up to this sort of race and she's on target for the Oaks but we'll just wait and see."
Moroney also had no doubt Chicharita was up to mixing it with the best of her age in Australia.
"She might go at some stage and she'd be well up to that," he said.
Chicharita sat out the back of the field to the turn and came with a well-timed and decisive finishing burst to claim the feature.
"The track tripped her up a little bit but she picked up and is a really good filly," rider Chad Ormsby said.
A half-sister to two winners, Chicharita is out of the Sir Tristram mare Trisynd who won up to a middle distance and she is a half-sister to the prolific Australian winner Le Zagaletta.
3YO Chasing Royal Result
In-form filly Chicharita will get an early shot at a black-type event when she steps out over ground at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.
The Curraghmore-bred and raced daughter of Towkay has earned her place with the best in the Gr 2 Royal Stakes.
“She’s always showed us a fair bit and she’s ready for the 2000 metres,” Matamata co-trainer Andrew Clarken said.
“She’s got form around Antonio Lombardo and those sorts of horses so that’s given us a good guide where she’s at.”
Chicharita was a last-start winner at Ellerslie where she posted her second career victory over 1600 metres under Chad Ormsby.
“I was a bit worried on the night that it was a leaders’ biased track but once Chad got her out into the open she worked home well,” Clarken said.
A half-sister to two winners, Chicharita is out of the Sir Tristram mare Trisynd who won up to a middle distance and she is a half-sister to the prolific Australian winner Le Zagaletta.
Eight Carat Date For Filly
Holy Moly is progressing well toward a crack at further black type honours with Ellerslie on Boxing Day her next port of call.
The daughter of Holy Roman Emperor showed she was on target with a recent trial placing at Cambridge.
Trainer Roger James then confirmed a start for the talented Holy Moly in the Gr 2 Eight Carat Classic.
Winner of the Listed Soliloquy Stakes in September, she was also placed in the Gr 3 Sarten Memorial.
The Curraghmore graduate then headed south for the Gr 1 NZ 1000 Guineas but was foiled by a heavy Riccarton track.
A $200,000 yearling at Karaka, she is out of the Zabeel mare Clarissa who won four races.
Curraghmore will offer a half-brother by Stravinsky to Holy Moly during the Premier Sale in 2012.
Easy Gold Cashes In Again
Easy Gold continued his hot run of form in Hong Kong last night with another clear-cut success at Happy Valley.
The five-year-old has now won four of his five starts since transferring to the stable of Richard Gibson.
Easy Gold was heavily backed into favouritism and justified the plunge in fine style over 1650 metres.
Rider Tim Clark went straight back from a wide gate, pulled widest in the straight and blew rivals away with ease.
"Credit to this horse and credit to Tim Clark," said Gibson, who indicated the horse would now be stepped up in distance as he reached his true mark in the ratings.
Easy Gold was bought out of Curraghmore's 2008 Ready to Run Sale draft for $90,000 and is out of the Jetball mare Diamond Dust.
She is a half-sister to Australian stakes winner King Rautai and all four of her foals to have have been winners.
Talented Fillies Stick Together
Chicharita and Poste Restante continued their close off track association at Ellerslie when they quinellaed the Championship Mile.
The former had the upper hand yesterday over her paddock mate as the pair spell together at Curraghmore's Te Awamutu farm.
Both fillies will be returning to Auckland for their next appearances with Chicharita to step up to 2000 metres.
The lightly-tried Curraghmore-bred and raced three-year-old has measured up well to the best of her age group and is an exciting staying prospect .
"She's got good form behind some very good horses like Antonio Lombardo and she's got a turn of foot," Matamata co-trainer Andrew Clarken said.
Chicharita broke her maiden at the end of September and next time out finished a creditable fifth in the Gr 3 Sarten Memorial.
The three-year-old then ran fourth over 1400 metres behind subsequent Gr 1 Levin Classic runner-up Randall at Otaki.
By Towkay, Chicharita is out of the Sir Tristram mare Trisynd from the family of multiple Gr 2 winner Le Zagaletta.
Curraghmore graduate Poste Restante travelled north from Otaki to gain further experience of the right-handed way of racing.
Trainer Howie Matthews said the daughter of Postponed would return for the Gr 2 Royal Stakes on New Year's Day.
Poste Restante was bred by the late Marilyn Kent and is out of the Volksraad mare Little Tee who is back in foal to Postponed.
Update For Karaka-Bound Filly
A son of boom sire Fastnet Rock took his first winning step toward repaying his purchase price with a debut victory at Cranbourne yesterday.
Callanish was a commanding winner over 1200 metres for Caulfield trainer Mick Price who paid $320,000 for him at Karaka last year.
Price has predicted a bright future for the gelding who is expected to further his record through the city grades.
The three-year-old was bought out of Curraghmore's Premier Sale draft and provided a boost for his half-sister they will offer in 2012.
The filly is by Danehill's multiple Gr 1 winning son Duke Of Marmalade out of the Dance Floor mare Dancing Doll.
She is also the dam of the Gr 3 Launceston Cup and Gr 1 Canterbury Guineas placegetter Dancing Daggers-Hofmeister (Aus).
From the family of the Gr 1 VRC Derby and successful sire Blevic, he was sold by Curraghmore for $25,000 during the Select session at Karaka in 2002.
Flying Chaparral In Hot Form
Flying Chaparral has continued his march through the grades in Hong Kong with a commanding last-start victory at Happy Valley.
His 1650 metres success in the hands of champion jockey Douglas Whyte followed a decisive win at Sha Tin.
He raced in New Zealand as Abtera Chaparral and compiled a record of a win and two placings before leaving our shores.
Sold by Curraghmore for $140,000 during the 2008 Premier Sale at Karaka, he is a son of High Chaparral and Drama.
Flying Chaparral is the third winner for the daughter of Sadler's Wells who is from the family of Gr 1 winner and successful sire Jade Robbery.
Curraghmore also sold a daughter of Danehill Dancer and Drama to Sydney agent Duncan Ramage for $150,000 at Karaka earlier this year.
Further Success In HK
Lightly-raced six-year-old Humongus continued his excellent form this preparation with another victory in Hong Kong last night.
The son of Encosta de Lago won over 1800 metres at Sha Tin and now has two wins and a placing from his last three starts.
Trained by Andreas Schutz, Humongus was bought out of Curraghmore's 2007 Premier Sale line-up by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for $135,000.
He is out of the American-bred Private Account mare Musk Lime who won twice and was Group placed in Ireland.
She has been a good producer at stud with four of her foals to race having won in England, France, Italy and Hong Kong.
Eulogy Start For Filly
Marton trainer Fraser Auret is keen to have a crack at an age group feature with his promising filly Jungle Pago.
The Curraghmore graduate shed her maiden tag in fine style at Tauherenikau today and may now step up in class.
"If she keeps heading in the right direction we’ll be looking at the Eulogy Stakes at Awapuni for her,” Auret said.
Bred by the late Marilyn Kent, Jungle Pago was bought out of Curraghmore's Select Sale draft last year for $5000.
“She started off with Shane Marr but when he went to Australia the Muollo family, who race under Explosive Breeding, sent her up to me,” Auret said.
“I’ve had a few others for them and really appreciate their support.”
By Darci Brahma, Jungle Pago is out of the Gr 2 Karrakatta Plate winner Climb The Vine.
"She's a big-framed filly so it's all in front over her," Auret said. “She’s the sort of horse to go over ground and she’s still needs that bit of time to fully furnish."
International Family Strikes
A three-year-old with a strong international pedigree looks a bright prospect for champion trainer Peter Moody following yesterday's Seymour success.
Samsili, a Curraghmore sold son of Dansili, made the second appearance of his career and was an impressive winner under Luke Nolan over 1600m.
The gelding is out of the Bluebird mare Delilah who was a Gr 3 winner in England and the United States and was Gr 1 placed in Ireland.
The family also includes Drama, who at won at Gr 3 level in Ireland, American Gr 1 winner King's Drama and Canadian Gr 1 winner Foxy Ferdie.
Samsili was bought by Moody Racing for $240,000 from Curraghmore's Premier Sale draft to Karaka last year.
Curraghmore Tops At Karaka
Curraghmore enjoyed another stellar moment at Karaka this afternoon when they presented the star turn on the opening of the Ready to Run Sale.
Their son of Darci Brahma, a half-brother to fellow farm graduate Bridgestone who is a stakes winner and Group 1 performer, topped the bill when he made $320,000.
He went to the bid of Singapore-based trainer Michael Freedman and local agent Michael Wallace for Singapore owners Joy N Happiness stable.
The gelding was pinhooked from the Karaka Premier Sale as a yearling for $60,000 by Gordon Cunningham.
"He breezed very well and was exceptionally popular on the sale grounds and he's been bought by people who've had great success with Darci Brahma," he said.
The Joy N Happiness partnership is currently enjoying success with their Darci Brahma colt Super Easy.
"The level of inspection been very good today at Karaka. There are lots of people here from overseas and it seems that if you have the right horses there are plenty of people here to buy them," Cunningham said.
Curraghmore's draft also featured a son of boom sire Fastnet Rock who went to Sanders Racing Stables for $120,000.
He is out of the Diesis mare Cotton from an international family that includes the multiple Gr 1 winner and sire El Gran Senor.
Kilmore trainer Lee Hope went to $55,000 for Curraghmore's Pentire gelding out of the Fusaichi Pegasus mare Glitter Woman.
He is from the family of the Gr 3 Hawkesbury Cup winner and Gr 1 placegetter Beauty Watch.
The day's trading for Curraghmore was completed by an Excellent Art colt who was bought by Ken Rae Racing for $21,000.
Exciting 4YO Remains Unbeaten
Stravinsky mare Pretty Composed handled a rise in class with ease at Warwick Farm yesterday to maintain her unblemished record.
The Brisbane mare had won her first two starts in her home state and has now continued her winning ways in Sydney.
The four-year-old also coped admirably with a rain-affected track to score a dominant victory over 1000 metres.
Pretty Composed was purchased by Doomben trainer Brian Wakefield out of Curraghmore's 2009 Premier draft for $80,000.
She is a daughter of the Sir Tristram mare Pretty Wicked who won four times and was stakes placed.
Pretty Composed won on debut at Ipswich and followed up at the Sunshine Coast before she was put aside.
She returned to racing yesterday after a three month break and sat at the tail of the field after missing the start.
Jockey Tommy Berry said the mare was able get into a good rhythm and her finishing sprint was too good for her rivals.
Wakefield said Pretty Composed would progress from her win and the stable would look at a harder target for her next start.
"We’ll try and pick out a Saturday race for her now. There’s still some improvement left in her. We’ll try to find a suitable Saturday race for her now.”
Mare Earns Black Type Reward
Mygoodgrace added significantly to her future broodmare value with a dominant black type success at Riccarton today.
The Royal Academy mare made the long trip from Ruakaka worthwhile when she won the Listed Canterbury Breeders' Stakes.
The southern venture had been in the balance after a previous failure but Mygoodgrace rewarded connections handsomely.
"It was a lovely ride from Jason (Collett) and I was really uncertain before the race," co-trainer Donna Logan said.
"We were all a bit apprehensive after Ellerslie but I threw the blinkers on and she hadn't missed a beat."
Mygoodgrace, who was stakes placed at two, has now won five of her 18 starts.
Raised at Curraghmore, the four-year-old is out of the Gr 1 Ellerslie Sires' Produce Stakes winner Good Faith.
The Straight Strike mare is also the dam of the Gr 3 McNeill Stakes winner Tully Dane and the family of triple Gr 1 winner Daffodil
