As it turned out, my viewing of the yearlings was more erratic than previous years when I have made a point of viewing all of the parade. This time I saw most of the fillies but missed a large chunk of the colts in the middle section. So my picks are based on those I saw rather than the full catalogue.
I am still struggling to find time to ‘do the numbers’ but my impression was that there were some lovely types of fillies that went for a real bargain. At the industry forum on the Sunday after the Karaka sales, the issue of keeping up our stock of racing and breeding fillies was well canvassed. John Mooney’s “Chairman’s Corner” in the March issue of Breeding Matters is well worth a read on this and other issues. For vendors of nicely bred fillies from very good sires but not outstandingly bred fillies from the hottest sires, the sale was mainly a pretty tough experience. Some of those breeders won’t be back. It raises alarm bells in terms of the future possibility of being able to pre-select sex of foals. Personally I am totally against this other than in exceptional circumstances (in the same way that I am not in favour of embryo transfer other than in exceptional circumstances).
I digress!
Here are my 4 selections of fillies and colts from the Karaka (Australasian Classic) Yearling Sale, using the pedigree pages and my own amateur observations on the day (no inspections).
Please give me yours! Add as “comment” to this blog.
Lot 122, Kamwood Courage, Courage Under Fire – Kamwood Lass (New York Motoring). Sold $11,000
If I’d had a spare $12,000 hanging around in my pocket I would have loved to take this one home. She stood out for me in the parade ring – not big, but good length of body and a lovely deep chest. She is a very nice speedy type and a full sister to a gelding and a filly who have both done well.
Lot 118, Schleck, Muscle Mass – Merckx (Dream Vacation) (Sold $28,000)
A lovely athletic looking filly from a family that is full of natural talent. I really enjoy the Paynter approach to breeding, always looking ahead, tapping into European trends and contacts (will do more on this later).
Lot 74, Stolen Secret, Mach Three – Hot Secret (Beach Towel). (Buy back $25,000)
Good size, strong type. Is this a ‘golden cross’? Time and statistics will tell.
Lot 119 Delia with preparer Clare McGowan
Lot 119, Delia, American Ideal – Merrily Merrily (Life Sign). (Sold $7000)
I thought this was a very attractive , tall type, with a long barrel and good chest. She looked in the midst of a bit of growth spurt, but I like what I see of American Ideals on the racetrack and I like the double up of the excellent mare Three Diamonds (3×3) – it is good to see a breeder try something like this rather than the usual focus on double up of sires. I’ll have to check, but my recollection is the American Ideal has had some performers in America from Life Sign mares. Breeder Geoff Elton says he is a little disillusioned with the industry at the moment and has moved into other interests. He has quit this family now, and will probably not be selling at the sales next year. I hope this filly does really well and draws him back in! I won’t expect her to be a 2yo, she’s got growing to do.
The colts I’ve picked are:
Lot 25 Charlie Chuckles
Lot 25, Charlie Chuckles, Grinfromeartoear – Charioteer (Christian Cullen). (Sold $34,000)
Nice strong type, looked great. Nice pedigree match too.
Lot 19, Derringer, Bettor’s Delight – Bury My Heart (In The Pocket). (Sold $22,500)
The full brother to Texican but Cran Dalegety didn’t want him and the price is surprisingly light. Without having inspected him, the only downside I could spot was his size – he is a small, compact type, but not the “built like a brick shithouse” round, solid and strong type that Bettor’s Delight can stamp even if they are small. He looked to me more like a smaller In The Pocket type. However the family has plenty of class and I like the breeding – I’ll take my chances.
Lot 175, Crixus Brogden, Real Desire – Swift Mirage (What’s Next) (Sold $9,000)
Sold so cheap I must have missed something!! I’m just taking a punt on this guy because he paraded so well, looked so focused.
Lot 148 Destination Moon
Lot 148, Destination Moon, Grinfromeartoear – Zenterfold (In The Pocket) (Sold $67,000)
Call me biased, but… I’m very happy to have him in my “virtual stable”.
b4breeding 
Hi Bee, I will put down my stable for the South Island Sales and will Put down 4 fillies and 4 colts like you have.
Lot 26 Going To California
Art Major- Child in Time (In The Pocket)
This was my standout filly for the sale down here this year, she was very correct, had a lovely walk and a little bit of fire which I like to see!
From a lovely fillies family out of a good mare, and has had a great preparer!
Lot 28 Code Cracker
Art Major- Cracker Kate (Holmes Hanover)
There was somthing about this filly that kept me looking back at the page to see who she was on day 1 and thats good enough for me as her page says it all!
Not overly big but neither is Orl Black who won the NZ Welcome Stakes and he can certainly run!
Lot 125 Petite Royal
Monarchy- Petite Sunset (Sundon)
Could pick no holes in this filly at all, and I had a very good look at her too!
From a good mare and family I’m sure she will fly the flag high for the stable.
Lot 176 Digital Art
Art Major- Wave Runner (Live or Die)
I only wish I had more money as I was in the hunt for a short time until Mr Dalgety nodded his head!! Already bigger than the mare was shes still not overly big but comes from a running family and thats good enough for me.
Lot 126 Romeo Denario
American Ideal- Presidential Sweet (Presidential Ball)
The mare is a 3 win full sister to Gomeo Romeo and the Colt I rated as the pick of them for me. Nice and strong, great walk and seemed not to have a care in the world when parading, had me sold!
Lot 61 Mach Scooter
Mach Three- Gail Devers (Live or Die)
Thought he would fetch 100k when I first saw him. Kinda felt sorry for him as he seemed to always be walking around or being asked to Jog whenever i saw him. Lost count of the amount of different bidders on this guy, he caught my eye so hes In!
Lot 65 On The Rantan
Bettors Delight- Funontherun (In The Pocket)
A wise man once told me the second foal is generally better than the 1st! I’m willing to put it to the test here with the full brother to On The Razzel, Stunning looking colt destined to have an Ohoka in its name, Watch out!
Lot 372 Rattling Thunder
Santana Blue Chip- Tammy Franco (Live or Die)
Couldnt make my mind up on Two Santana Blue Chip colts, (lot 254 Hear The Call) is the other. I really like them both but I went with this guy because I saw what looked to be a splint in 254’s leg, We will see him at the ready to run sale im guessing as Greg Payne brought him. 372 it is and if i hadnt brought one earlier on I would have bid on this guy!
[…] the sales was Lot 119, Delia, American Ideal – Merrily Merrily (Life Sign) and I promised in my blog on my virtual stable to check if that American Ideal-Life Sign cross had been successful to date in North America. It […]
Hi Bee, Am enjoying your blog, my stable of top 3 fillies and colts based purely on a pedigree of proven sires and quality mares would be:
Fillies
1. Lot 24 (Auck) Christian Cullen – Chaangerr by Vance Hanover ($45,000)
2. Lot 26 (ChCh) Art Major – Child in Time by In The Pocket ($60,000)
3. Lot 52 (Auck) Christian Cullen – Elite Belle by Presidential Ball ($13,000)
Colts
1. Lot 49 (Auck) Art Major – Elect to Live by Live or Die ($50,000)
2. Lot 73 (ChCh) Christian Cullen – Idancedallnight by Presidential Ball ($40,000)
3. Lot 26 (Auck) Christian Cullen – Black Maire by Falcon Seelster ($34,000)
Will be interesting to lookback on these selections in a couple of years, the Elite Belle filly looks to be the bargian out of this lot.
Hi ..
I am looking for a list of Sires that carry the X Factor..Is there one, and where would i find it. Thanks
[…] Back in 2012 I picked Charlie Chuckles (Grinfromeartoear x Charioteer) and Delia (American Ideal x Merrily Merrily) as part of my “2012 virtual yearling stable“. […]