KEY POINTS:
Karaka yearling sales is selling time for Sir Patrick Hogan and New Zealand's leading thoroughbred breeding establishment Cambridge Stud.
Hogan was extremely busy yesterday greeting prospective clients viewing the massive yearling draft he presents as the class of 2008.
An interview with Hogan is an achievement, given his busy schedule.
Hogan managed to fit me into his busy schedule while eating breakfast and keeping a well-trained eye on parading yearlings, staff and clients.
"This year I've decided that if people want to buy Cambridge Stud-bred yearlings that are bred in New Zealand, they must come to Karaka to buy them," said Hogan.
"In previous years I've split my yearlings between sales on the Gold Coast, Karaka and Sydney and some people have thought I was holding back certain yearlings for other sales.
"I'm happy to sell all my yearlings at Karaka and that's because of my confidence in New Zealand Bloodstock and now everyone knows if they want to buy off me that they have to come to Karaka.
"I'd like to see other leading New Zealand breeders follow my lead and if we all did that, it would make this sale the only one buyers can secure New Zealand-bred yearlings."
Hogan was warm in his praise of the current stature of New Zealand racing with a massive increase in stake money for owners.
He credited that to the support from the Minister of Racing, Winston Peters, and the Labour Government.
Cambridge Stud will offer 50 yearlings at the premier sale and 22 of those are by stallion sensation Zabeel.
At last year's sale 22 Zabeel-sired yearlings sold for an aggregate of $6.58 million (average $300,000) including the top-priced $2 millon colt from former champion mare Sunline.
The appeal of Zabeel will be massive with 47 yearlings entered.
"The New Zealand thoroughbred has performed with distinction overseas in the past 12 months and I haven't seen a stronger buying bench attend a sale at Karaka.
"New Zealand Bloodstock has done an outstanding job and made an enormous investment promoting this sale," Hogan said. "It's up to the vendors to do their part and increase the quality of yearling."
While Hogan has been warm praising Zabeel, he was quick to point out that Stravinsky, Keeper, O'Reilly and Pins have also performed well for the NZ industry over the past 12 months.
