THE 100th edition of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale was highlighted by the NZ$1.1 million spent on the Sword Of State half-brother to the multiple Group 1 winner Ceolwulf by Mr Sanxiong Gao and Ciaron Maher Bloodstock.

The yearling colt out of the Shamardal mare Las Brisas was part of Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s Cambridge Stud draft which comprised all the yearlings Cambridge have for sale this season.

The decision proved inspired with 50 yearlings sold from the 54 Cambridge Stud offered grossing $10.64 million at an average of $212,800, ensuring Cambridge, by a substantial margin, was the leading vendor, a feat their predecessors, Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, achieved a staggering 31 times.

“It’s an awful lot of money and it tells the industry that, from a $15,000 service fee, you can actually turn it into $1 million,” reflected Brendan Lindsay.

Fantastic game

“It’s great for New Zealand, because it gives everybody a leg up. This is great for our country and our breeding industry. Everybody’s heard it before, but the point is that this is a fantastic game. Jo and I believe in our country, and everything we do is about New Zealand.

“It’s the 100-year anniversary of an iconic New Zealand brand, the National Yearling Sale, and we’re happy to be part of it. Sir Patrick always celebrated other people’s success as well as his own, and I’d like to think he would have been proud.”

Numbers going up

Overall the two sessions of Book 1 saw 422 of the 520 yearlings offered sell at an average $187,257 (up 43%) with a median of $140,000 (up 27%) and a clearance rate of 81%. The aggregate for the sale was $79,022,500.

“The new format has seen Book 1 come back from three days to two, and despite having 94 less horses catalogued, the aggregate is up more than $3 million on last year,” said NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook.

“We’ve hit a record Book 1 average and median, and a clearance rate which we haven’t seen in some time. I’m very proud of the whole NZB team, the positivity on the grounds has been fantastic. The whole industry has really lifted this week.”

First season sire Anamoe (his 2023 fee was A$121,000) was the leading sire of the sale with six yearlings sold from eight offered averaging NZ$487,500 with a top price of $650,000, the seventh highest for the sale.

Te Akau’s David Ellis was again the leading buyer, purchasing 17 yearlings for an aggregate of $4.26 million. Aside from the Sword Of State, colts by Justify ($950,000), Alabama Express ($850,000), Snitzel ($850,000) and a filly by Toronado ($800,000) competed the top five.

THE Stephen Marsh-trained Well Written remains unbeaten after a scintillating victory in the NZ$1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO over Ellerslie’s 1,400 metres. Sent out as a $1.20 favourite, jockey Matt Cartwright took a position just forward of mid-field in the 13-horse field. Cruising through the final bend it was just a matter of when.

Darting between runners, Well Written grabbed hold of the race at the 300 metres and shook the life out of it. Surging to the lead at the 200 metre mark, the Written Tycoon filly, filleted her rivals to the tune of six lengths.

Second was the Snitzel colt He Who Dares, who in turn was three lengths ahead of his Te Akau stablemate the Super Seth filly La Dorada in third.

“This horse is an absolute weapon, the best I have ever ridden,” said an effusive Cartwright.

“It’s so exciting as we got the right run, we got through and wow I nearly fell off the back of her. She was very keen today but I have always wanted to ride her with cover as she just drops her head relaxes and shows that good turn of foot. I think we have seen a very special win today. I’m speechless and I think she is right up to Australia’s best.”

Initially purchased for A$32,500 at the Inglis Great Southern Weanling sale in Melbourne, Stephen Marsh and his bloodstock agent Dylan Johnson paid NZ$80,000 for Well Written at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock National Online Yearling sale.

Last October they sold a share to Yulong Farm, after which she won the 1000 Guineas and Auckland Guineas ahead of her Millions victory.

“People have asked me how good is she and I just hope she keeps improving the way she has, as it is very exciting,” said Marsh.

“I always say to Matt, don’t panic, have faith in yourself and the horse and if you are going well on one with this ability it will happen.

“This makes me feel bloody good and this is why we do it, why we get out of bed and I just love seeing the owners and everyone so excited. You will now see her in the Kiwi next,” added March in reference to the $4 million slot race, The Kiwi, over 1,500 metres at Ellerslie on March 7th.

QUEENSLAND trainer Liam Birchley claimed his third win in the NZ$1 million Karaka Millions 2YO over 1,200 metres, 11 years after his second victory in the race, with the El Roca filly Dream Roca, the race’s second favourite.

“It’s tremendous to win this race three times,” said Birchley following the 19th running of the Ellerslie’s juvenile showpiece on Saturday.

“I know how hard it is, I really do. The standard of two-year-olds here has improved markedly over the last 10 years. I’ve got a lot of really close friends in this horse, going back a long way. One of them has sadly just died in the last few weeks, so this means a lot.

“It’s all about buying an athlete. That’s what you need for this race. We were then lucky enough to draw barrier one, which saves you a lot of work. She was able to save her best for the end, which she needed.”

Taking a sit behind the leader, jockey Ben Thompson needed patience on the rail. Lacking a clear run,it wasn’t until just before the 200 metre mark that an opportunity arose. Shrugging off Torture to her outside, Dream Roca was able to get into gear and go after after Magill.

Shutting down the Farnam gelding’s advantage, Dream Roca grabbed the lead in the final three strides to send Liam Birchley’s team into raptures. Second was Magill who was two lengths ahead of the Sword Of State filly Torture. Unplaced after a torrid run was the favourite Kinnard, six lengths from the winner.

“It is very surreal, it is an amazing track,” said Thompson after his first taste of Ellerslie. “She is just a class filly. The track has been playing so fair, I had to just be patient and wait for a run, and she gave me a great kick.”

Offered by Westbury Stud, Dream Roca was bought out of Book 2 of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling sale for $75,000.

Sistema Railway Stakes (Group 1)

VICTORIAN trainer Cindy Alderson has made a successful raid to Ellerslie, winning the Group 1 Sistema Railway over 1,200 metres with the Manhattan Rain gelding Jigsaw.

One out and one back, Jigsaw sat on the girth of the leader. Through the final bend jockey Logan Bates got to work on Jigsaw as he went past the leader and kept strong to the line.

Defying the late chargers, Jigsaw won by a length from the Harry Angel gelding Arkansaw Kid with the Sweynesse gelding Sweynesday in third.

“The plan was either to lead if it was there or if they were rolling along at a tempo where he was happy in his rhythm,” said the 24-year-old Bates who began his career in New Zealand before heading to Australia to work with Alderson.

“When I gave him a squeeze and he ranged up to Alabama Lass, he grew with confidence and gave me an unbelievable kick.

“It was like it was meant to be, to come back to where I grew up in New Zealand. Even his (Jigsaw) mother was from New Zealand.

“Coming here and racing on one of the best days here and taking out one of their bigger Group 1’s in the Railway is just incredible.”