White Robe dominates South Island sale
White Robe Lodge dominated the 2019 South Island session of the New Zealand Bloodstock yearling sale in Christchurch on April 29 with the top price, best aggregate and best sire average.
"Overall the sale results were as good as any we have experienced but it would have been nice to see more support for the sale from South Island trainers and owners,'' said Wayne Stewart, WRL stud manager.
The top price was $72,500 for a filly by Per Incanto from Cherry Creek, thus a half sister to the multiple group three winner, Coulee. The buyer was Graeme Anderson, better known as a standardbred trainer based in Dunedin. He also has a licence to train thoroughbreds. He plans to race the filly with others.
"I am just in the process of getting the ownership sorted out. People who have raced horses with me will be mainly involved. She has remained in Christchurch to be broken in and will go to another trainer," said Anderson.
"I am going for a hip operation in the middle of May and don't know how long I will be out of action.''
Anderson also purchased a Proisir - Our Girl Nelson colt from the WRL draft for $12,500.
The Queensland agent John Foote bought two lots by the WRL resident sire, Ghibellines. He paid $48,000 for a colt out of Smudgee and $20,000 for a filly out of Zigalong. Foote purchased Civil Disobedience (Tasmanian Derby) and Parthesia (Tasmanian Oaks and Bagot Handicap) from WRL at South Island sales. Both are progeny of WRL sire, Raise The Flag as is Unfurled, another of his purchases. Doctor Care (by Gallant Guru), winner of over $A200,000 was another.
WRL sold seven lots for an aggregate of $220,500, an average of $31,500. Four lots by Ghibellines were sold for an average of $28,875.
It was the third successive year WRL had the best aggregate at the SI sale.
A Ghibellines - No Lane Bridge filly passed in has since been leased to Australia. She will trained by Paul Preusker at Horsham.
Details of the 2019 WRL draft:
Ghibellines - Flight Arrival colt Sandy Cunningham, Christchurch, $22,500
Ghibellines - No Lane Bridge filly passed, reserve, $15,000
Darci Brahma - Norah colt Upper Bloodstock, Hong Kong, $20,000
Proisir - Our Girl Nelson colt Graeme Anderson, Dunedin $12,500
Ghibellines -Sheeza Drama colt Neill Ridley, Christchurch, $25,000
Ghibellines - Smudgee colt John Foote Bloodstock, Queensland $48.000
Ghibellines - Zigalong filly John Foote Bloodstock, Queensland $20,000
Darci Brahma - Blue 'n' Gold colt passed reserve $25,000
Ghibellines - Carefree gelding withdrawn
Per Incanto - Cherry Creek filly Graeme Anderson, Dunedin $72,500