Racing: Overseas buyers flood in for chance at Danehill offspring

In 2003 leading thoroughbred breeders Peter and Philip Vela took a massive financial gamble that has had a positive spin-off for the New Zealand industry.

They decided to send champion race mare Ethereal to Australia to be bred to stallion sensation Danehill.

But there was one problem - Danehill was no longer performing dual hemisphere breeding seasons in Ireland and Australia.

The Velas then decided to approach Coolmore Stud, Ireland and purchase 20 broodmares that would be bred to Southern Hemisphere time and served by Danehill.

This was a huge financial expense but it was something that would have a dramatic impact on the New Zealand breeding industry.

Danehill died in May 2003 in a freak paddock accident and now the progeny of this stallion are the hottest commodity in the worldwide breeding industry.

There will be 20 progeny of Danehill entered in the New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale at Karaka - nine of them in the Vela-owned Pencarrow Stud draft.

"At the time we were keen to send our top race mare Ethereal to Danehill but we were told he wouldn't be coming out to Australia," said Peter Vela.

"We then approached Coolmore Stud about the possibility of purchasing 20 broodmares that were all put into foal to Danehill.

"It's now increased the number of broodmares we have on the property to 56 but with the unfortunate death of Danehill, it's meant that the last progeny of Danehill are going to have international appeal to buyers.

"The 2005 Karaka Yearling Sales will be one of the last opportunities people will have to purchase Southern Hemisphere bred yearlings sired by Danehill."

The news about the strong presence of the progeny of Danehill in the 2005 Premier Yearling Sale has seen a massive turnaround in the number of overseas buyers that will be in attendance at Karaka.

"Last year we had 40 rooms booked at the Hilton for overseas buyers and this year that number has swelled to 100 rooms. There's a 30 to 40 per cent increase in the number of European-based people that are heading to New Zealand this year," said Peter Vela.

"Three things make a yearling sale: bums on seats, hands in the air and quality yearlings going through the sales ring.

"There is an outstanding presence of quality stallions at this year's sale besides Danehill. It's a very exciting time for the New Zealand breeding industry and there are a lot spin-offs in a powerful buying bench in attendance from overseas."