Crack Mare Retired
Top-quality mare Velocitea, one of three Gr 1 winners last season for Curraghmore, has been retired with breeding plans for the mare yet to be finalised.
Caulfield trainer Mick Price confirmed time had been called on her racing career after she had finished third in the Gr 3 Bletchingly Stakes.
Velocitea was formerly raced by her South Island breeders Raewyn Ramage and Shelley Frost who board several mares at Curraghmore.
They include Velocitea's dam Cat Shmea, who has a Zabeel filly to be sold during the Premier Sale at Karaka next year.
From the family of Gr 1 Australian winner Orange County, she is booked to visit the Danehill Dancer newcomer Mastercraftsman in the spring.
Cat Shmea's Christchurch-based owners have also retained a sister to Velocitea while her half-sister Macavity, by Keeper, was placed as a juvenile last season.
She won the Gr 3 How Now Stakes for trainer Brian Mayfield-Smith and on his retirement her excellent form continued under Price's guidance.
Velocitea landed the Gr 3 Hyderabad Stakes and the Listed JRA Stakes before placing in the Robert Sangster ahead of her Gr 1 Goodwood Handicap victory.
The daughter of Volksraad retired with a record of seven wins and seven placings from her 19 starts and stake-earnings of more than $700,000.
Velocitea won her first two starts in New Zealand and finished runner-up in the Listed Champagne Stakes before her sale to Magic Millions co-principal Rob Ferguson.Her Goodwood success followed the Gr 1 wins of Curraghmore graduates Efficient (Turnbull Stakes) and Veloce Bella (Darci Brahma International Stakes). Super Sales Success Continues
Curraghmore ended a spectacular 12 months at Karaka by topping yesterday's New Zealand Bloodstock Winter Mixed Sale.
Gr 2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes winner Te Akau Coup was their star turn and at $210,000 was the day's premier lot.
She was knocked down to NZB agent Danny Rolston acting on behalf of Glenn Burrows' Scone-based operation Willow Park Stud.
Sold by Curraghmore for prominent owner Ray Coupland, Te Akau Coup was offered with a positive test to Darci Brahma.
The farm sold 12 lots for $492,000 with the winning Encosta De Lago mare La Victoire their second-top lot.
A half-sister to Gr 2 Hong Kong Sprint winner Planet Ruler, she was bought by Cambridge agent Malcolm Wallace for $125,000.
The auction completed a stunning period for Curraghmore with a Karaka aggregate in excess of $9.1 million over the last 12 months.
Quality Broodmare Draft
Curraghmore will offer a well-credentialled group of broodmares at the upcoming New Zealand Bloodstock Winter Mixed Sale at Karaka on August 1 .
"Our overall draft comprises of some genuinely good prospects in foal to the likes of Darci Brahma,High Chaparral, Stravinsky and Sakhee's Secret," Gordon Cunningham said.
"Additions to the supplementary catalogue include four stakes-winning mares that we are also offering on behalf of Ray Coupland who has decided to restructure his bloodstock portfolio.
"A number of the progeny of these mares are in the development stage of their racing careers for Ray."
- Lot 9 is Spectralia from the immediate family of Spinning World and in foal to Stravinsky - L.S.D. 9-12-09.
- Lot 10 is Star Gem from the prolific Gr 1 family of Nimue, Sirstaci and Smiling Like and in foal to High Chaparral - L.S.D 21-11-09.
- Lot 42 is Jay Dee Coup, by Danehill Dancer from a strong US black-type pedigree and also in foal to High Chaparral - L.S.D 28-11-09.
- Lot 50 is La Victoire, by Encosta de Lago, winner of three races and a half-sister to Gr 2 winning Hong Kong sprinter Planet Ruler.
Curraghmore's additions to the supplementary catalogue are:
- Te Akau Coup, a Gr 2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes winner, who will be sold in foal to five-time Gr 1 winner Darci Brahma.
- Besty Coup, the stakes-winner of seven races and also in foal to Darci Brahma..
- Flying Coup, the stakes winner of six races, will be offered in foal to the Gr 1 July Cup winner Sakhee's Secret.
- Kim's Coup is a dual stakes winner of four races and in foal to Darci Brahma's half-brother Saperavi.
Karaka Buy On Target
Lightly-tried three-year-old Eishin Rock opened his account at Eagle Farm yesterday for Patinack Farm.
The Fastnet Rock gelding returned from a seven-month break to triumph over 1200 metres.
He is prepared by Patinack head trainer John Thompson and was ridden by Jim Byrne.
Eishin Rock was secured from Curraghmore's 2008 Premier Sale draft by Nathan Tinkler for $200,000.
Tinkler has also enjoyed success with Gr 2 Warwick Stakes winner Trusting and the promising multiple winner Safety In Numbers from Curraghmore.
Eishin Rock is out of Eishin Shelby who is a half-sister to international Gr 2 winners Mariensky and Julie Jalouse.
Family Double On Cards
Our Gold Bullion provided a winning lead yesterday for his younger brother to follow this weekend in his bid for further black-type honours.
The Melbourne four-year-old was successful at Echuca as sibling Bridgestone prepares for the Listed Belmont Classic on Saturday.
They are both Curraghmore graduates by Pentire out of the winning Gold Brose mare Golden Dawn.
Our Gold Bullion was a $60,000 Select Sale buy in 2007 while Bridgestone was knocked down a year later for $200,000.
The latter has established himself as one of Perth's brightest prospects with five wins and a Gr 1 placing.
Our Gold Bullion is prepared by leading trainer Mick Price and yesterday posted his fourth career success.
High Chaparral 3YO Impresses
Well-bred three-year-old Tolmon Nika has quickly made his presence felt in Singapore with victory at just his second start.
The son of High Chaparral was an impressive maiden winner at Kranji for leading trainer John Meagher on Sunday night.
He stepped out over 1400 metres to open his account in Nash Rawiller's hands and continue Curraghmore's winning form there.
Two nights previously fellow graduate Super Rich had been successful in class four company.
Tolmon Nika was knocked down to Dr K Tan for $120,000 during the 2008 Premier Sale session at Karaka.
The gelding hails from an outstanding European Gr 1 family with Milligram (Ascot Queen Elizabeth Stakes) and One In A Million (1000 Guineas) his third and fourth dams.
Tolmon Nika is out of the unraced Nashwan mare Matchplay who is a half-sister to Gr 2 winner Kissogram (Newmarket Sun Chariot Stakes).
Super Singapore Strike
Super Rich has continued his excellent run of form in Singapore with a class four success at Kranji.
He has now posted consecutive wins and a further three placings from his last six appearances.
Prepared by Sam Chua, Super Rich was bought out of Curraghmore's 2007 Festival Sale draft at Karaka for $20,000.
By Daggers Drawn, the four-year-old is from the winning Pompeii Court mare Opals who is out of a three-quater sister to Fair Sir.
He was the Gr 1 winner of the Australian Stakes and was further placed in the Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and Underwood Stakes.
Pentire Colt A Class Act
Bridgestone made the most of his penultimate three-year-old appearance when he convincingly won Saturday's Dayana Plate at Belmont.
The rising Perth star was unsuited by a muddling pace and regular rider Brad Parnham was forced to make an early move but was still far too good.
Bridgestone will now have one more run in Saturday week's Listed Belmont Classic before heading for a break.
He is prepared by Parnham's father Neville who is likely to target the Ascot summer carnival with the colt in preference to travelling inter-state.
The Railway Stakes, Kingston Town Classic and Perth Cup are all feature races on Bridgestone's future programme.
By Pentire, he was bought out of Curraghmore's 2008 Select Sale draft at Karaka for $200,000 by prominent West Australian agent John Chalmers.
The winner of five of his 16 starts, Bridgestone was also Gr 1 placed in the autumn when runner-up in the WA Derby.
He went into the 2400 metre event on a limited preparation after missing vital work due to a bruised hoof.
"He had a bit of bad luck with the derby when he had that interruption, otherwise he may have won it," Brad Parnham told the West Australian.
"I think he is a really good horse and he will get better with more maturity."
Bright Future For Ourforeignminister
Te Awamutu trainers Richard and Chris Otto believe the best has yet to be seen of the promising three-year-old Ourforeignminister.
The son of Dubai Destination has already won two of his eight starts and is expected to significantly progress with more time.
"He's a talented horse and will be a lot better in another 12 months," Richard Otto said.
Ourforeignminister was a $100,000 purchase by Auckland agent Paul Willets from Curraghmore's 2008 Select Sale draft to Karaka.
He is out of the winning Australian-bred mare Secret Revenue, who is a sister to Gr 2 Western Australian Guineas winner The Right Money.
Ourforeignminister broke his maiden at Te Rapa and on Saturday downed a competitive three-year-old line-up at Tauranga.
He made the running and fought back valiantly under Lisa Allpress after being headed early in the straight.
"He loved the ground and is a really nice horse in the making," Otto said.
Que Sera Strikes Again
Lightly-tried mare Que Sera further added to her successful family record yesterday with a dominant sprint victory at Ruakaka.
The daughter of Daggers Drawn had weighed in at her previous four starts and now has two wins from seven career appearances.
Trained at Matamata by Andrew Scott, Que Sera is the last foal of the Gr 2 Bayer Classic runner-up French Polish.
She has been a fine producer with the brothers Dollars 'N Gold (Gr 3 Taylor Preston Handicap) and Madison Point Gr
3 Shorts Handicap) two of her best winners.
The sons of Palace Music won 22 races between them and Banshee, Madison Pete, French Dagger, Madison King and now Que Sera have further added to her stud success.
French Polish is also the grand-dam of Gr 1 Ellerslie Sires' Produce Stakes winner Iflooxcouldkill and Woodville-Pahiatua Cup winner and Group performer Dutch Striker.
Curraghmore features as the co-breeder and part-owner of Que Sera and Dutch Striker and sold a half-sister by Darci Brahma to the latter for $160,000 at Karaka earlier this year.
Humongus Happy At The Valley
Encosta De Lago four-year-old Humongus showed the benefit of a lead-up outing when he won in fine style in Hong Kong last night.
He had finished a handy fifth when resuming from a break last month and improved at Happy Valley to score over 1650 metres.
Trained by Andy Leung, Humongus was bought out of Curraghmore's Premier Sale draft at Karaka in 2007 for $135,000 by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
He is out of the American-bred Private Account mare Musk Lime, who won twice in Ireland and was also Gr 3 placed in the Killavulan Stakes.
She is a three-quarter sister to the six-time Gr 1 winner Inside Information whose top-level victories included the Breeders' Cup Distaff.
Inside Information further rpoved her worth at stud as the dam of 2003 champion US filly and Gr 1 Mother Goose Stakes winner Smuggler.
Port Vell Bounces Back
Port Vell's luck took an overdue turn for the better when he returned to winning form at Morphetville at the weekend.
The Pins four-year-old was a dominant victor over 2000 metres in his second middle distance outing this preparation.
Port Vell powered home for third at Caulfield three runs back after being denied racing room until too late.
He then stepped out over ground at Flemington but slipped early in the event and was unsuited by the rain-affected track.
Trained in Melbourne by Colin Little, the gelding has now put together four wins and four placings from just 14 career appearances.
Port Vell was a $120,000 purchase by Cambridge agent Dean Hawthorne from Curraghmore's 2007 Select Sale draft at Karaka.
He is a son of the winning Centaine mare Melody D'Amour from a family that features Gr 1 Hong Kong performer Luckswell.
Home Campaign For Bridgestone
Trainer Neville Parnham has ruled out an inter-state campaign for Bridgestone and will concentrate on home features for the Gr 1 performer.
The WATC Derby runner-up is being prepared for three runs under set-weight conditions through June and July.
Curraghmore graduate Bridgestone will take aim at the Belmont Guineas, Dayana Plate and the Belmont Classic this winter.
Parnham will then aim the quality galloper toward the major events at the Ascot summer carnival in preference to the Melbourne spring carnival.
I'm not that keen for Melbourne with him just yet, so we'll probably look at the Railway Stakes, Kingston Town Classic and Perth Cup," he told the West Australian.
Singa Lass Plays Winning Tune
Stakes performer Singa Lass maintained her impressive strike rate on Saturday with a game front-running performance to score at Rotorua.
The Danasinga mare downed a competitive Rating 80 line-up after dictating terms under a smart ride from Michael Coleman.
The Curraghmore-raised four-year-old has now won five of her 16 starts and was last season also Gr 3 placed in the Cambridge Breeders' Stakes.
Singa Lass is prepared by Murray and Bjorn Baker for stud clients Dick Draper, of Hamilton, and his Melbourne-based brother George.
From the family of Gr 2 Championship Stakes winner Reno Belle, she is out of the Straight Strike mare Axislass.
Strong Finish To Sale
A well-related Marauding mare in foal to boom stallion High Chaparral ensured Curraghmore's success continued on the final day of selling at Karaka.
Sweet Pearla realised $100,000 to end an excellent National Weanling, Broodmare and Mixed Stock Sale for the farm who retained top spot as the leading vendor overall..
Curraghmore was also the dominant weanling vendor for the fifth year in a row with both the top lots sold and yesterday's broodmare sale rounded off proceedings on a high note.
Sweet Pearla is out of the Nijinsky mare More Happiness and a family that has performed well to the highest level in Australia.
Its ranks include the dual Gr 1 winner A Little Kiss (Queensland Oaks, Flight Stakes) and the Listed Ken Russell Classic winner and Gr 2 placed Cap D'Antibes.
The bumper broodmare offering saw 236 of the 342 catalogued lots sell for $2,906,950, up 112 per cent from last year's turnover of $1,369,450 for 15 fewer lots sold.
The final average for the broodmares was up 126 per cent from $5456 to $12,318, the highest since 2006. Following suit the median increased 25 per cent to $3000 from $2,400, with the clearance rate holding steady at a healthy 82 per cent.
In the final analysis a total of 653 of the 908 catalogued lots changed hands for $7,454,900 - up a huge 85 per cent from $4,034,950 for 585 sold in 2009 - at an average of $11,416 (up 66 per cent from $6897), with a median of $3000 (up nine per cent from $2750) and a clearance rate of 82 per cent.
Co-Managing Director Petrea Vela said New Zealand Bloodstock was very satisfied with the outcome of this year's sale.
"After a bit of a slow start on Monday morning trade picked up steadily to provide some pleasing results over the past three days. The market has been solid today for the mares and after the tough market we faced here last year it's satisfying to see the results return to 2008 levels."
Curraghmore Reigns Supreme At Karaka
Curraghmore has once again domninated the ring at the National Weanling Sale at Karaka to claim the title of leading vendor for the fifth consecutive year.
They presented the two top lots of the auction - $220,000 for an Encosta De Lago colt and $200,000 for a daughter of Zabeel - and sold a total of 19 youngsters for $789,200
"We're very happy with the way the sale has gone for us," Gordon Cunningham said. "We had some lovely horses in our draft which commanded good interest and made their money, and certainly we come away with confidence that there's a good viable market here.
A grey Thorn Park colt with an intenational pedigree topped Curraghmore's weanling draft on the second day of selling at Karaka today.
"The lower end was much harder - a function no doubt of a number of challenges facing our racing industry here in New Zealand. However as usual there was terrific demand for good quality horses and a number of our clients have been rewarded with very good returns."
Purchased by Hamilton's Sequioa Lodge for $90,000, his grand-dam is a half-sister by the great Sadler's Wells to the prolific sire Pentire.
A son of Tale Of The Cat signed for by NZ Bloodstock (NZB), as agent, for $60,000 also boasted an international background.
Out of the winning Green Desert mare Desert Imp, he is from the family of Gr 1 English 1000 Guineas winner Virginia Waters.
NZB also made a move early in the day for a Thorn Park colt from Curraghmore's draft for $30,000.
His third dam is the Gr 1 Railway Handicap winner Alynda and the family of Gr 3 Gilgai Stakes winner and young sire Fast 'N' Famous.
After 468 weanling lots at Karaka over the two days, the final results showed total takings of $3,826,450 for 336 lots sold, up 59 per cent on last year ($2,407,800 for 267 lots sold).
The final session average was $11,388 (up 26 per cent from last year's $9,018), with a median of $4000 (up 23 per cent from last year's $3,250), and a clearance rate that climbed steadily to finish at a respectable
80 percent.
New Zealand Bloodstock Co-Managing Director Petrea Vela said the results reflect the mixed demand over the course of the weanling session yesterday and today.
"The general consensus among weanling buyers here is that nice horses were commanding good money, and there was good competition on the selection of most appealing lots.
"The reality though is that unfortunately there is very limited demand for the lesser pedigreed horses, particularly fillies, which was reflected in the clearance rate. However we can still take heart from the solid demand that continues for good commercial stock."
Crack mare lands Goodwood
Curraghmore's success at the highest level continued at Morphetville yesterday when the Volksraad four-year-old Velocitea claimed The Goodwood.
The farm's brand has also been carried to Gr 1 victories this term by Efficient (Turnbull Stakes) and Veloce Bella (Darci Brahma International Stakes).
Further top-flight placings have been added by Velocitea (Robert Sangster Stakes), Bridgestone (WATC Derby) and Trusting (Golden Rose).
Velocitea was formerly raced by her South Island breeders Raewyn Ramage and Shelley Frost who board several mares at Curraghmore.
They include Velocitea's dam Cat Shmea, who last year produced a Zabeel filly to be sold during the Premier Sale at Karaka in 2011.
From the family of Gr 1 Australian winner Orange County, Cat Shmea is booked to visit the Danehill Dancer newcomer Mastercraftsman later this year.
Her Christchurch-based owners have also retained a yearling sister to Velocitea while her half-sister Macavity, by Keeper, was runner-up on debut at Ellerslie last month.
Velocitea won her first two starts in New Zealand and finished runner-up in the Listed Champagne Stakes before her sale to Magic Millions co-principal Rob Ferguson.
She won the Gr 3 How Now Stakes for trainer Brian Mayfield-Smith and on his retirement her excellent form has continued under Mick Price's guidance.
Velocitea landed the Gr 3 Hyderabad Stakes and the Listed JRA Stakes before her Robert Sangster placing and Goodwood victory.
Price's pre-race instructions to rider Craig Newitt yesterday to hug the rails proved inspirational and the Melbourne jockey carried out his orders immaculately.
Under tender persuasion, Velocitea dashed home along the fence for her slice of Gr 1 glory.
Her record now stands at seven wins and seven placings from 18 starts and career earnings of more than $690,000.
Outstanding Start To Sale
Curraghmore saved the best until last on the day one of New Zealand Bloodstock's National Weanling, Broodmare and Mixed Sale at Karaka.
The final lot to grace the ring was their Encosta De Lago colt who topped the day's proceedings at $220,000.
Curraghmore has been the leading vendor at the sale for last four years and made a dominating start to the auction.
The Encosta younsgter was knocked down to the bid of Bruce and Maureen Harvey's Ascot Farm, of Cambridge.
"He's a well-bred colt on paper and has the looks to match," Gordon Cunningham said.
He is out of the winning Danehill mare Breeze Hill, who is from the family of Gr 1 winners and sires Dr Devious and Shinko King.
Curraghmore also offered the session's second top lot with the sale of a Zabeel filly for $200,000 to Marcus Corban Bloodstock, of Cambridge.
"She's a good type, has scope and is athletic," said Cunningham, who sold the full sister for $215,000 at this year's Karaka Premier Yearling Sale.
They are out of the Danzero mare Primera Dama, who won five races and gained black-type when runner-up in the Listed Manawatu Breeders' Stakes.
It is also the Gr 1 family of Zonda (New Zealand Derby, The Oaks Stud Classic) and Golden King (Jarden Mile).
Other sales included colts by debut sire Patapan and the popular Perfectly Ready for $40,000 apiece.
The former is from the family of dual Gr 1 Avondale Cup winner Maurine while the son of Perfectly Ready is a grandson of Gr 3 Gold Trail Stakes winner Reno Belle.
Both colts were bought by as agents by NZ Bloodsock who also signed for a half-brother by Keeper to stakes performer Little Tee for $25,000.
Oaks Dream Goal For Filly
Matamata trainer Andrew Scott has classic ambitions in Australia with the well-related filly My Dream Catcher.
The daughter of Cape Cross took her first step toward a Gr 1 goal with a stylish win at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
"She came down the outside of the track and beat quite a handy field and was giving them all weight," Scott said.
"The golden plan with her is the Queensland Oaks and she'll run at fortnightly intervals through to the Doomben Roses.
"She'd be worth a fortune with her pedigree if she can qwin a stakes race."
My Dream Catcher was bought out of Curraghmore's Select Sale draft in 2008 for $220,000 by Robbie Hewetson.
She is from the imported Indian Ridge mare Indian Dream, a half-sister to Irish Derby placegetter Campo Catino.
It is also the family of Gr 1 Japan Cup winner El Condor Pasa and Gr 1 Irish 2000 Guineas winner and sire Bachelor Duke.
My Dream Catcher has placed in all five of her New Zealand starts and Scott said immaturity had held her back.
"She's showed so much ability but just wasn't strong enough to finish off."
My Dream Catcher was fourth when resuming at Pukekohe last month before her winning Australian debut over 1400 metres at the weekend.
Further Gr 1 success
Bridgestone's game second in Saturday's WATC Derby at Ascot continued Curraghmore's influence at the top level this season.
His effort followed Efficient's Gr 1 Turnbull Stakes victory and runner-up finishes from Trusting (Golden Rose) and Velocitea (Robert Sangster Stakes).
The latter will attempt to go one better next weekend when she takes aim at the Goodwood Handicap at Morphetville.
The progressive Bridgestone now has four wins, including last month's Listed Roberts Stakes, and four placings from his 14 starts.
He is by Pentire whose talented son Lakonian made a winning debut at Sha Tin last night.
The Curraghmore graduate had two wins and four placings from six Australian starts before his big money sale to Hong Kong interests.
Renamed Jun Qi, he had taken time to acclimatise to his new surroundings and was making his first start for nearly a year for trainer David Hall
