Doubts about how much Clear Rose was worth was a big reason behind the decision to put her through the sale ring.
The mare was bought at Karaka on Tuesday for $300,000 by New Zealand Bloodstock owners Peter and Philip Vela, who were previously part of the partnership that owned her.
Peter Vela said the best way to get good value for A.D. Leung, the Canadian-based owner who was ending his involvement in Clear Rose, was to let the market decide.
"It was difficult to get an accurate valuation on her," Vela said.
"So we decided the fairest thing to do was to put her through public auction and see what she would get there."
He was delighted to be able to retain Clear Rose, winner of the 1000 Guineas in 1995, and the mare's weanling filly by Zabeel, bought for $200,000 on Sunday.
"It's hard to buy a 1000 Guineas winner, especially one that should have won the New Zealand Derby but for bad luck," he said.
"The weanling filly has a lovely temperament and we will retain her for racing."
The Vela brothers will be joined in the ownership of Clear Rose and her filly by trainer Laurie Laxon, who raced Clear Rose with them.
The auction of Clear Rose was the highlight of the last day of the May Mixed Bloodstock sale.
Only two others were around the $100,000 mark. One was a Kaapstad mare out of Mwaared, by Unfuwain, bought for $100,000 by Blanton Benjamin, son of Fayette Park proprietor David Benjamin.
Also selling well was Cimarosa, an imported mare by Green Forest in foal to Spinning World. She went to New Zealand Bloodstock for $97,500.
The broodmares at the sale went for an average of $11,952, down from $14,689 last year.
- NZPA
Racing: Clear Rose and filly go for half million at Karaka sales
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