Racing: Excitement at sale time

Sir Patrick Hogan (right) casts his critical eye over a prized yearling at Karaka yesterday. Photo / Janna Dixon

Karaka kicks off tomorrow and Patrick Hogan is ready, writes Anthony Corban

Sir Patrick Hogan relentlessly paces the parade area outside the barn where the class of 2012 is presented to local and international buyers. New Zealand Bloodstock's two-day premier yearling sale kicks off at Karaka tomorrow morning and Hogan is not taking any risks with the well-bred yearlings from Cambridge Stud.

Hogan has been the dominant vendor and supporter of New Zealand Bloodstock's yearling sales at Karaka - the only venue Hogan will sell progeny of superstar stallion Zabeel.

Watching yearling parades involving the equine stars and staff of Cambridge Stud is like witnessing a military march on a parade area. Yearlings are presented to interested onlookers with plenty of staff around to assist and ensure there are no accidents or injuries.

"This is the most important week of the year for everyone here at Karaka as this is sales time and it's a very competitive catalogue," said Hogan. "There is a strong overseas buying bench here which is what you would expect with the quality of yearling on offer.

"Yes, there is an economic recession and that may have an impact on prices at the sales but that's something as breeders that we have to deal with."

Many good judges are labelling Lot 353, the Fastnet Rock colt, a three-quarter brother to super mare King's Rose as a leading yearling at the sale.

King's Rose raced as a 2 and 3-year-old from the Matamata stable of Mark Walker and Jason Bridgman before this season joining the Melbourne stable of Peter Moody.

King's Rose was crowned New Zealand Bloodstock's Filly of the Year after dominating the 3-year-old ranks last season. Victories in the New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas (Group One), New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes and Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (both Group Two) underlined her class.

King's Rose won back-to-back Group Two races in Melbourne when kicking off her 4-year-old campaign for Moody as well as recording two second placings at Group level.

Fastnet Rock is certainly a stallion everyone wants to be part of.

Atlantic Jewel and Mosheen dominated the spring racing carnival in Melbourne while in New Zealand this season Planet Rock and Rock 'n' Pop were star performers.

Hogan is reserved in his assessment of the 2012 Cambridge Stud draft presented at Karaka: "They're all here for sale and like every other vendor here I am nervous and also excited with what is coming up over the next week. Outstanding, quality yearlings come out of this sale every year.

"New Zealand-bred racehorses have again performed well overseas over the past 12 months and that's why the international buyers are out here in force again."