Ancient Spirit Makes Outstanding Sales Debut

WRL Staff at Karaka 2024 from left Wayne Stewart (Stud Manager), Jack Stewart and Bailey Kennedy

By Jonny Turner  

Ancient Spirit’s siring career took a massive leap forward with his outstanding results at the National Yearling Sales at Karaka.

The freshman sire added to White Robe Lodge’s rich legacy at Karaka when his four yearlings were sold at strong prices.

White Robe Lodge Principal Brian Anderton was delighted with the way the stud’s yearlings presented and he was just as delighted with his sire’s first sales results.

“The results at Karaka were great and long may they continue,” Anderton said.

“Ancient Spirit is a very well bred horse and he was a smart racehorse himself.”
“He has everything there to be a good sire and so far everything is looking very positive.”
“He leaves a good type and he stamps his foals.”
“He obviously impressed some good judges and it was great to see the yearlings go to good homes for good prices.”

An Ancient Spirt filly from the Back Date (Zacinto), bred and offered by Inglewood Stud, was sold in the Book Two sale to the combination of Ballymore Stables, Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Catheryne Bruggeman for $160,000.

The filly was the highest priced yearling sold of all yearlings offered on Friday of the Book Two sale. 

“She was a lovely filly and we were thrilled for Inglewood Stud and the result they were able to get,” Anderton said. 

Ancient Spirit also hit six figures in Book One when White Robe Lodge sold a filly from Erin’s Babe (Raise The Flag) to Duncan Ramage for $100,000.

Erin’s Babe is a half-sister to Group One winner Patrick Erin (Gallant Guru) and the multiple stakes race winner Gallant Boy (Gallant Guru).

“The breed has been very good to us over many years,” Anderton said. 
“She was a very athletic filly and we think she will go on to do a pretty good job.”

Ancient Spirit’s next yearling through the Karaka sales also ring added to the sire’s great results.

A filly from the outstanding racemare Coulee (Gallant Guru) was sold to Roger James and Robert Wellwood for $80,000. 

White Robe Lodge also sold an Ancient Spirit filly from Zenno Queen (Zenno Rob Roy) to Kawa Park for $30,000. 

The filly is a half-brother to the multiple stakes-winning galloper New York Minute (Iffraaj).

All up, Ancient Spirit’s yearlings sold for a combined total of $370,000.

The White Robe Lodge stallion’s stock averaged $92,500, more than 13 times his service fee of just $7000. 

The White Robe Lodge team are soon to start work breaking in the Ancient Spirit stock they have marked to join the farm’s racing stable.

With the stallion’s progeny showing good temperaments and attitudes, Brian Anderton is sure the process will be a smooth one and is excited to see the Ancient Spirits up and running.