Racing: Former NZ Cup winner tops sale

Mainland Banner. Photo / Getty Images

Canterbury mare Mainland Banner, winner of the New Zealand Cup and now a broodsmare, changed hands for $135,000 at a recent dispersal sale of stock of Cullen Breeding operated by Ian Dobson in Christchurch.

Mainland Banner was sold along with her embryo transplant by Mach Three. The package was bought by Peter O'Rourke as agent for an Australian client of Nevele R Stud, Prebbleton.

She has left two other foals: Peruvian Banner and Stunin Banner. O'Rourke said she would be served by Rocknroll Hanover.

The mare, who is unable to carry foals because of a hernia, won 17 races including the 2005 NZ Cup, NZ Messenger, NZ Oaks and NZ Breeders' Stakes.

Crown Counsel, in foal to Christian Cullen , was sold for $100,000 to Emilio and Mary Stride, of Sydney.

Muscle Beach, in foal to Christian Cullen, was bought by the Success Stud of the Gibson family in New South Wales for $56,000.

All 36 lots offered were sold for a total of $732,450.

Rachel Deegan, of the standardbred division of PGG Wrightson, said it was the first time all lots had been sold at a sale conducted by the auctioneers.