Pins in demand at Hong Kong International Sale

16 March 2015

PROGENY by Waikato Stud resident Pins proved popular during the Hong Kong International Sale on Saturday, including the day’s HK$7,000,000 (£611,248/€858,639) top lot.

The two-year-old gelding, bought for NZ$260,000 (£129,378/€181,742) at the NZB Premier Yearling Sale, was knocked down to owner Alan Cheng Kin-Sang.

The family has Hong Kong form with Trillion Win, a half-brother to the colt’s dam Savamour, runner-up in the Listed Sha Tin Vase and placed in the Chairman’s Trophy Handicap. Other siblings include Randwick Group 2 winner Philosophe, Te Rapa Listed scorer Sir Lovesalot and Group 1 Metropolitan Handicap third Men At Work.

A son of Darley sire Exceed And Excel fetched the day’s second highest price when selling to Allen Shi Lop Tak for HK$5,500,000 (£480,266/€674,644). The Australian-bred two-year-old was also sourced at the NZB Premier Yearling Sale, selling for NZ$300,000 (£149,283/€209,702).

Another gelding by Pins filled the frame when selling to Hung Chan Kam for HK$5,200,000, closely followed by a son of Iffraaj, who was bought by Kerm Dim for HK$5,000,000.

All 24 lots offered during the sale changed hands, for an aggregate of HK$94.9 million (£8,286,775/€11,640,682).

Tivaci’s Movie Night steals the show at Newcastle

A sister to the Gr.1 ATC Flight Stakes (1600m) winner Never Been Kissed, the Waikato Stud-bred and raced Movie Night (NZ) was rewarded for her consistency, breaking her maiden with an all-the-way win over 1400m at Newcastle for trainer Tom Charlton.

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Eighteen months ago, Texas oilman Nelson Bunker Hunt walked through the lush Waikato pasture of Matamata’s Balcarres Stud and announced he wanted some just like it for his own.

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