After getting away to a good start on the first day of the New Zealand Premier yearling sale at Karaka, the first southern hemisphere offered crop from the Eclipse Champion three-year-old Bernardini attracted some spirited bidding during the second day of selling.
The first Bernardini filly through the ring on day two was the Trelawney Stud-consigned lot 281. Out of the Stakes-winning Marauding mare Dominatrix, the filly comes from the international family of Stakes winners Special Warmth, Marlin, Just Rushing and the local G2-winning stallion All Bar One. Knocked down to Victoria’s leading trainer Peter Moody, the filly is sure to get every chance.
The next yearling through the ring from the triple G1-winning son of AP Indy was another filly, this time from the draft of Haunui Farm. Out of the Stakes-performed American mare Exotic Stranger, the filly was purchased by Victoria’s Rosemont Stud for $330,000, becoming the top price paid for a Bernardini yearling so far this sales season.
Another young stallion which proved popular throughout the sale was Redoute's Choice's G1 Blue Diamond winner Nadeem. With two yearlings to sell, the highlight lot came mid-way through day two when Rosella Farm went to $260,000 to secure lot 388, a bay filly out of the Shadeed mare Kowtow. Offered by Wentwood Grange, the filly is a half-brother to Bart Cumming's G2 winner Precedence and comes from the family of dual G1 winner Tavistock.
Champion first and second season sire Exceed And Excel was represented by lot 345, the Westbury Stud-consigned colt out of the four-time G1 winner Grand Archway. A half-brother to three Stakes horses, the colt was purchased by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for $420,000.
