Racing: Gold out to strike it rich

The 2005 Karaka Premier Yearling Sale has caught the attention of the world's leading thoroughbred racing operation - Godolphin Racing - and racing manager Angus Gold is in attendance.

Gold has been the racing manager of Godolphin Racing for 19 years and the stable has over 300 racehorses in training in England, Ireland, France, South Africa, United States and Australia.

"I'm based in the United Kingdom and my responsibility are the racehorses in training in Europe, South Africa and Australia," said Gold.

"I've come down here because the catalogue for this year's yearling sale here at Karaka is absolutely outstanding.

"The stock of Danehill will be keenly sought because they are the last Southern Hemisphere stock of this stallion.

"We'll be looking at all of the yearlings and I'm impressed with the standard the New Zeland breeder has produced this year.

"We'll also be looking at all of the progeny of Zabeel because Sheikh Hamdan Al Makatoum raced Zabeel as a racehorse before he was sold to Sir Patrick Hogan to stand at stud here in New Zealand."

This is the fifth occasion Gold has attended the yearling sales in New Zealand. "Our racing team in Australia is down to six racehorses so we'll be looking to increase that number by purchasing yearlings at this sale," said Gold.