Champion Irish 3YO & Group 1 Winner Eagle Mountain secured by Brighthill to join the stallion roster!
The Eagle has Landed at Brighthill Farm
Picture with the courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Eagle Mountain (GB) winning the 2008 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup Group 1
A top-class international performer with a Gr.1 victory earned on one of the toughest stages in world racing has been secured for stud duty by Brighthill Farm. The signing of Eagle Mountain (GB) by Nick and Anne-Marie King's Tauwhare operation represents a major coup in the face of hot international competition.
"He was an outstanding racehorse around the world and we're delighted to have the opportunity to offer him to New Zealand breeders," Nick King said. "He was an extremely talented galloper and diverse - he won in top company from 1200 to 2100 metres and was also placed in two Derbies."
Eagle Mountain, who met and matched the best through six countries combines his elite level performance with good looks, temperament and a rich pedigree. He has been retired to Brighthill Farm on the outskirts of Cambridge with five wins and eight placings from 19 appearances. His career highlight was a Gr.1 victory in the 2008 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin in a stylish effort that came off the back of a runner-up finish in the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Turf.
Eagle Mountain also has the distinction of holding the track record over the famed Rowley Mile course at Newmarket when he posted 1.34.07 to win the Gr.3 Joel Stakes.
By Danehill's champion son Rock Of Gibraltar, holder of a world record seven consecutive Gr.1 victories, he began his career in Ireland with master trainer Aidan O'Brien. Eagle Mountain broke his maiden at his second start at the Curragh and followed up with Gr.2 seconds in the Futurity and Champagne Stakes. He then won the Gr.2 Beresford Stakes before weighing in at Gr.1 level in the Racing Post Trophy and English 2000 Guineas. Top-flight placings were to follow for Eagle Mountain when tried at 2400 metres in both the English and Irish Derbies.
He was subsequently dominant in the Gr.2 Royal Whip Stakes before a narrow defeat in the Gr.1 Champion Stakes at Newmarket. At the end of his classic year, Eagle Mountain was named Ireland's Champion Middle Distance Three-Year-Old. He was subsequently purchased by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum and transferred to leading international trainer Mike de Kock, who operates stables in South Africa and Dubai.
“Eagle Mountain is the arguably the best horse that I have ever trained,” de Kock said.
“He possessed amazing speed, whether he was running six furlongs or ten furlongs - he was always competitve against the best horses in the world.”
“Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum will retain a 60 percent stake in Eagle Mountain and the remaining shares will be available to New Zealand breeders. He is very confident in the direction of the New Zealand industry and this is the second stallion he is involved in,” Nick King said. “He has an interest in Perfectly Ready and is very positive and encouraged by the experience.”
A fractured pelvis put Eagle Mountain's career on hold after his change of ownership but he made a blazing return to the racetrack in 2008 with his record-breaking victory in the Joel Stakes. He then went to America for the Breeders' Cup and beat all but Conduit and defeated Gr.1 winners Dancing Forever, Soldier Of Fortune and Out Of Control in the process. The Gr.1 Hong Kong Cup triumph followed with top-flight title holders Linngari and Viva Pataca trailing in his wake.
A niggling injury restricted Eagle Mountain to just three more starts and included a creditable fifth in his HK Cup defence last year. The curtain fell on his career in February after he finished runner-up at the state-of-the-art Meydan racecourse in Dubai.
“I went to Dubai to see him during the international meeting and met Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum and it was a fantastic experience,” King said. “I was really impressed with the horse - he's a balanced type at just 16 hands and very athletic and correct with a great head. It's easy to see why he was such a versatile racehorse who won at two and had the ability to star at a mile and further in the very best company.”
Eagle Mountain is a half-brother to four winners, including the top-class Gr.1 Marcel Boussac winner and Champion French 2 year old, Sulk. They are out of the winning Darshaan mare Masskana, herself a daughter of the Gr.1 French 1000 Guineas winner Masarika. Masskana is further a half-sister to the Gr.2 Gallinule Stakes winner and Gr.1 Irish 2000 Guineas placegetter Massyar and Gr.3 Arcadia Handicap winner Madjaristan.
It is a prolific international black-type family that has also made its mark in Australasia through Melbourne Cup placegetter Mourilyan.
Eagle Mountain (GB) will stand this season at NZ$12,000 + GST (with a live foal guarantee) at Brighthill Farm alongside Perfectly Ready and Patapan.
We have another quality weanling draft currently being prepared for the forthcoming NZB May Weanling Sale at Karaka, commencing on Monday 3rd May 2010.
Please click here for our complete draft of weanlings and broodmares. We have some beautiful pedigreed mares, being sold on behalf of their owners, infoal to Perfectly Ready, Darci Brahma, No Excuse Needed, Patapan, Captain Rio and Iffraaj.
Annual Brighthill Pig Roast & Pavlova Party another huge success...
Perfectly Ready with Ross parading for the guests.
Brighthill's annual client Pig Roast and Pavlova Party was held on another glorious Summers' day. Over 150 guests were treated to a marvellous feast of roasted pork and delicious salads and handmade pavlovas especially made for the occasion by Fran of Frans Cafe, Cambridge.
Perfectly Ready and Patapan were paraded, and behaved impeccably. Perfectly Ready the ever show off, and Patapan the perfect model!
Please click here for more photos, courtesy of Megan Liefting. Megan and Rudy are owners of multiple Group 1 winner Justa Tad, who visited Perfectly Ready this season. (Double click over the photos to enlarge them)
Congratulations to the winners of the *complimentary service draws for 2010 Season. The Winners were:
Perfectly Ready
Barry and Nicky Blatch, Tapanui - Likes To Rule
Patapan
Mike Dromgool, Te Aroha - Kia Puke's Sister
Complimentary 2010 foals: Peter Hill, Cambridge & Warwick Jeffries, Papamoa
* Special conditions applied.
Spectacular Select Sale Opening Session
Wednesday, Feb 3, 2010
Focus at Karaka today turned to the opening session of New Zealand Bloodstock's three-day Select Sale with the strength seen during the Premier session continuing throughout the day.
The first 206 of the 617 horses catalogued for this session saw 148 sold for a total of $8,237,000. The key indicators show a staggering 50% improvement on last year's results showing more improvement than seen in the Premier Sale over the last two days. The average finished at $55,655, up a whopping 49% from last year's $37,366 and the median at $45,000 (last year, $30,000). The clearance rate settled at 77% at the end of the day's proceedings.
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NZB Select Sale Day 1 highest priced lot, Brighthill Farm's full-brother to Vonusti who sold for $210,000
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Vonusti's recent Group 1 Telegraph Handicap (1200m) victory helped the cause of his full-brother at Lot 644, reaching the top price of the day at $210,000 to the bid of the New South Wales-based Lucky Owners Syndicate. He was sold by Nick and Anne-marie King's Brighthill Farm, who sold Vonusti in the same session in 2008 for $28,000 to Lance O'Sullivan.
Also amongst those prominent on the buyers' sheets today have been New Zealand buyers Wallace Thoroughbreds, Roger James, Rogerson Bloodstock plus international buyers John Foote, Bahen Bloodstock, Hawkes Racing and Laurie Laxon.
Day Two of the Select Sale continues with Lots 691 to 900 from 11am tomorrow at Karaka, with the sale also streamed live online.
2010 Day 1 Select Sale Statistics
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2010 Day 1 |
2009 |
| Average |
$55,655 |
$37,366 |
| Aggregate |
$8,237,000 |
$17,039,000 |
| Lots Catalogued |
618 |
681 |
| Lots Sold |
148 |
456 |
| Clearance Rate |
77% |
73% |
| Median |
$45,000 |
$30,000 |
| 2010 Top Price - Lot 644 B.C Ustinov x Reasonably - $210,000 |
| 2009 Top Price - Lot 1155 B.C Tale of the Cat x Eyes Light Up - $205,000 |
Top Lots
| Lot |
Type |
Breeding |
Vendor |
Purchaser |
Price |
| 644 |
B.C |
Ustinov / Reasonably |
BRIGHTHILL FARM |
LUCKY OWNERS (NSW) |
$210,000 |
| 540 |
B.C |
Elusive City / Midnight Breaker |
MAARA GRANGE |
WAIKATO BLOODSTOCK & K LAU (CAMBRIDGE) |
$200,000 |
| 654 |
B.C |
O'Reilly / Riposte |
HAUNUI FARM |
NZB as agent (HAMILTON) |
$190,000 |
| 665 |
B.C |
Golan / Ruffled Feathers |
HENLEY PARK |
MR DT O'DONNELL (HONG KONG) |
$160,000 |
| 658 |
BR.C |
O'Reilly / Romantic Liaisons |
LITTLE AVONDALE STUD |
MR CP BEH (MALAYSIA) |
$155,000 |
| 663 |
B.C |
Jungle Pocket / Royal Successor |
RICH HILL T'BREDS |
HAWKES RACING (NSW) |
$150,000 |
| 675 |
B.C |
Thorn Park / Sayyida |
TRELAWNEY STUD |
MR GARY HENNESSY (HONG KONG) |
$150,000 |
| 682 |
B.C |
Thorn Park / Shadowfax Babe |
WINDSOR PARK STUD |
MAGUS EQUINE (HONG KONG) |
$150,000 |
| 550 |
C.C |
Golan / Miss Sacha |
WINDSOR PARK STUD |
JOHNSTON HOULAHAN BLOODSTOCK (VIC) |
$145,000 |
| 608 |
B.C |
Keeper / Passive Rose |
HAUNUI FARM |
BAHEN BLOODSTOCK (HONG KONG) |
$145,000 |
Leading Purchasers by Aggregate
| Purchaser |
Bought |
Aggregate |
Average |
Top Price |
| NZB as agent |
10 |
$642,000 |
$64,200 |
$190,000 |
| MR DC ELLIS |
5 |
$390,000 |
$78,000 |
$100,000 |
| BAHEN BLOODSTOCK LTD HKG |
3 |
$340,000 |
$113,333 |
$145,000 |
| MR RA JAMES |
4 |
$305,000 |
$76,250 |
$130,000 |
| MR LK LAXON |
4 |
$271,500 |
$67,875 |
$120,000 |
| ROGERSON BLOODSTOCK |
2 |
$270,000 |
$135,000 |
$140,000 |
| JOHN FOOTE BLOODSTOCK PTY LTD |
3 |
$255,000 |
$85,000 |
$130,000 |
| LUCKY OWNERS PTY LTD |
1 |
$210,000 |
$210,000 |
$210,000 |
| HAWKES RACING |
2 |
$202,500 |
$101,250 |
$150,000 |
| WAIKATO BLOODSTOCK & K LAU |
1 |
$200,000 |
$200,000 |
$200,000 |
Leading Vendors by Aggregate
| Vendor |
Sold |
Aggregate |
Average |
Top Price |
| WINDSOR PARK STUD LTD |
9 |
$611,000 |
$67,889 |
$150,000 |
| WAIKATO STUD |
12 |
$603,500 |
$50,292 |
$140,000 |
| HAUNUI FARM LTD |
7 |
$535,000 |
$76,429 |
$190,000 |
| LITTLE AVONDALE STUD |
5 |
$512,500 |
$102,500 |
$155,000 |
| HALLMARK STUD LTD |
4 |
$440,000 |
$110,000 |
$130,000 |
| TRELAWNEY STUD LTD |
6 |
$412,500 |
$68,750 |
$150,000 |
| RICH HILL THOROUGHBREDS LTD |
5 |
$343,500 |
$68,700 |
$150,000 |
| BRIGHTHILL FARM |
4 |
$315,000 |
$78,750 |
$210,000 |
| SHELBY PARK LTD |
5 |
$297,500 |
$59,500 |
$100,000 |
| WESTBURY STUD |
4 |
$267,500 |
$66,875 |
$85,000 |
Leading Vendors by Average (three or more sold)
| Vendor |
Sold |
Average |
Aggregate |
Top Price |
| HALLMARK STUD LTD |
4 |
$110,000 |
$440,000 |
$130,000 |
| LITTLE AVONDALE STUD |
5 |
$102,500 |
$512,500 |
$155,000 |
| WENTWOOD GRANGE |
3 |
$83,333 |
$250,000 |
$110,000 |
| BRIGHTHILL FARM |
4 |
$78,750 |
$315,000 |
$210,000 |
| HAUNUI FARM LTD |
7 |
$76,429 |
$535,000 |
$190,000 |
| TRELAWNEY STUD LTD |
6 |
$68,750 |
$412,500 |
$150,000 |
| RICH HILL THOROUGHBREDS LTD |
5 |
$68,700 |
$343,500 |
$150,000 |
| WINDSOR PARK STUD LTD |
9 |
$67,889 |
$611,000 |
$150,000 |
| SEATON PARK LTD |
3 |
$67,667 |
$203,000 |
$120,000 |
| WESTBURY STUD |
4 |
$66,875 |
$267,500 |
$85,000 |
Perfectly Ready leads Premier Sale First Season Sire by Average...
The staggering results of Day One at New Zealand Bloodstock's Premier Sale flowed into Day Two today at Karaka, with a $2 million colt by New Zealand's own champion sire Zabeel eclipsing yesterday's millionaire lot.
The third-equal highest price ever to go through the Karaka sale ring, Lot 373 from the Danehill mare Diamond Like was knocked down to the bid of Sydney-based bloodstock agent James Bester.
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2010 Karaka Premier $2 million Sale-topper - Lot 373 by Zabeel from Diamond Like.
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Bester was glowing in his praise for the colt from Cambridge Stud.
"What attracted me to this colt was his quality. Physically he's the best yearling I have ever seen in the southern hemisphere.
"Chiefly I buy on conformation and this colt was exceptional, but to also present with the best page in the sale is extraordinary. Zabeel on Danehill is outstanding, and a very fast mare more to the point to counter Zabeel's staying influence.
"It was easy to spend that sort of money when you know the background the horse has had, and being from Cambridge Stud, from that family, I had every confidence."
Bester purchased the colt for a small group of Australian owners who race horses with a number of trainers and are yet to decide the lucky stable that this colt will join.
One of Lot 373's underbidders, David Ellis, was more successful later on in the sale when he secured Lot 431 for the second highest price of the day at $1,300,000.
The Redoute's Choice three-quarter brother to Darci Brahma offered by Pencarrow Stud will form part of a syndicate of four colts purchased by Ellis over the past two days.
Ellis was equally enamoured with both of today's top colts.
"They were both outstanding colts prepared by the best studs in the southern hemisphere and it was impossible for me to split them. But I'm thrilled to have got this one. He has the same qualities as Darci Brahma and has been a beautiful individual since the day he was born.
"It has been extremely hard work competing with the Aussies over the last couple of days. The sale has been incredibly strong but we're delighted with our selection."
The strength of the Karaka sale was evidenced by another set of remarkable figures from today's trade, with the final average the second highest in history at $183,119, up 26% on last year's $145,710.
Turnover was up a massive $10 million for fewer horses sold, representing a 22.5% increase from $53,330,000 to $63,373,500.
The sale median ended up at $135,000, up 35% on last year's $100,000, and the clearance rate climbed steadily to 79%, ahead of last year's 77%.
With a buying bench stacked full of international buyers, it was kiwis Graeme Rogerson and David Ellis who took top honours.
Rogerson Bloodstock was back to the prominence seen in years past, ending the day as the leading Premier Sale vendor by almost $1 million with 19 yearlings bought for $4,350,000. Rogerson's top price was $500,000, paid for the Encosta de Lago colt from Liberty Walk bought early in the sale at Lot 15.
The second top buyer was New Zealand's David Ellis of Te Akau Racing, who purchased 14 yearlings for $3,375,000 at an average of $241,071.
Bolting up the buyers list today was Melbourne trainer Danny O'Brien who bought 12 yearlings for $2,265,000 for an average of $188,750. His top price came at Lot 288, a Pins colt from Group 1 winning Zabeel mare, Bazelle, for $380,000.
Peter Moody bought another three today to bring his tally to 15 for $2,250,000 for 15 horses.
Accompanying them on the list of buyers who spent in excess of $1 million on their Karaka buys were Australian buyers Patinack Farm, Gai Waterhouse, James Bester, DGR Thoroughbreds, Hawkes Racing, Mark Kavanagh, Bart Cummings, plus the Hong Kong Jockey Club, International Bloodstock Consultants and Jayven See.
The leading vendor by aggregate for the 28th year in a row was Sir Patrick Hogan's Cambridge Stud with 40 yearlings sold for just under $10 million at an average of $248,588.
Next was Gordon Cunningham's Curraghmore Stud, with 28 horses sold for $6,655,000.
The leading vendor by average was Tom & Shelley Murtagh's Esker Lodge, responsible for yesterday's million dollar Lot 102. The stud sold eight yearlings for $2.41m at an average of $301,250.
Brighthill Farm's Group 1 winning son of More Than Ready, Perfectly Ready edged in to be the leading first season sire with four sold for an average of $150,000. Topping his offering was Lot 160, a colt from Rich Hill Stud who sold for $290,000 to NZB as agent.
New Zealand Bloodstock Co-Managing Director Petrea Vela says the Premier session has been a huge success.
"We couldn't be happier with the results of the past two days. There are a lot of delighted vendors at Karaka tonight who have had their expectations completely surpassed. The strength of the buying bench has been thoroughly overwhelming and has demonstrated to us the hot demand there is for the product we offer here.
"There's still five days to go but we are thrilled with the outcome of the Premier Sale and are very grateful to both buyers and sellers for their support to post such successful results for the industry."
Selling continues at Karaka tomorrow with the first lot of the 2010 Select Sale at 11am. Selling can be viewed live online at www.nzb.co.nz.
Leading First Season Sires by Average (three or more sold)
| First Season Sire |
Sold |
Average |
Aggregate |
Top Price |
| Perfectly Ready |
4 |
$150,000 |
$600,000 |
$290,000 |
| Darci Brahma |
36 |
$140,972 |
$5,075,000 |
$480,000 |
| Holy Roman Emperor |
5 |
$97,000 |
$485,000 |
$200,000 |
| Nadeem |
6 |
$92,500 |
$555,000 |
$160,000 |
| Lucky Unicorn |
6 |
$68,083 |
$408,500 |
$130,000 |
| Fast 'n' Famous |
6 |
$65,833 |
$395,000 |
$100,000 |
