Racing: Danehill factor fires up yearling sales

New Zealand's premier yearling sale is set for a record-breaking year.

Next week's National Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka boasts 20 yearlings by the now deceased world champion stallion Danehill and New Zealand Bloodstock reports the number of hotel reservations it has made is well up on 2004.

Last year's sale aggregate was $44.7 million, up 31 per cent on 2003, because of high interest from international buyers.

Two Danehill colts sold for more than $1 million.

New Zealand Bloodstock's Peter Vela said he expected strong participation from traditional markets, such as Australia, but new buyers from Hong Kong, South Africa, France, England, Ireland and the United States would ensure Karaka's "strongest buying bench ever".

"It's created enormous interest already, just in terms of hotel bookings because they are more than 25 per cent higher than last year," he said.

"The Danehill factor has just created such interest worldwide and that's proven by the number of first-timers who are coming to this sale. Just by their presence, it will lift the market.

"They may come here to buy a Danehill but instead go home with a Zabeel and help to push up the market in between."

Vela said the presence of yearlings by Danehill was a significant asset to the premier sale but in stallions, such as Zabeel, Giant's Causeway, Fusaichi Pegasus, Black Minnaloushe and Cape Cross, there were sires to suit every discerning buyer.

"New Zealand horses are out-performing horses in areas like Hong Kong, the economy is good, Australian racing is going fantastic, so it's hard to find a negative for this sale," Vela said.

- NZPA