O’Reilly Colt Proves Popular

On a day of steady trade for WS, it was a son of O’Reilly who led the way when the Select Sale got underway at Karaka yesterday. The youngster caught the eye of Riccarton trainer Shane Kennedy who parted with $90,000 for the bay colt.

He is out of the unraced Anabaa mare Chilled Out who is a half-sister to the Listed Red Roses Stakes winner The Big Chill (O’Reilly). Australian Group performers Kick ‘N Chase and Okaylah feature in the pedigree, as does former top-flight winner Rancho Ruler.

Albert Bosma’s Go Racing Syndicate was flush after Ruud Awakening’s Karaka Million success and he parted with $72,500 for an O’Reilly filly. She is out of a three-quarter sister to the multiple Gr 2 winner Lafleur and a direct female descendant of the former champion European three-year-old Habibti.

Enthusiastic Savabeel supporter Graeme Rogerson signed for a son of the Zabeel stallion for $67,000. His latest acquisition is out of the Danasinga mare Danish Wedding from the family of Gr 1 Goodwood Handicap winner Centisle (Centaine) and the Gr 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup winner Somepin Anypin (Pins).

Rogerson also paid $34,000 earlier in the session for a half-brother by No Excuse Needed to Gr 3 Hayes Stakes winner Take The Rap. The colt boasts a classic WS pedigree with O’Reilly and Gr 1 Otaki-Maori WFA winner Critic among those to feature.