Bell secures his pick of RTR Sale

Cambridge trainer John Bell had to do a second take when he saw lot 169 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka sales complex this week.

The Exceed and Excel colt out of Pins mare Chateau d’Yquem, who was offered through Lyndhurst Farm’s draft, reminded him a lot of group one winner Julius and group three winner Mosse and he was so taken with the colt that he went to $525,000 to secure him.

“There’s a touch of Julius to him and another very good horse Mosse. That type of horse is what we go for,” Bell said. “He was the horse that we just had to have and I would have got him for $75,000 cheaper if it wasn’t for Steve Davis. He is a hell of an auctioneer.”

Bell purchased the colt for a Hong Kong client, but his initial preparation will take place in New Zealand at Bell’s barn before he is exported to the thriving Asian racing jurisdiction.

“I have bought him for a friend in Hong Kong who has raced a number of good horses, including Fellowship, who was a very good horse up there by O’Reilly.

“I am not quite sure who the trainer will be up there yet but he will be well prepared when he goes.”

While international buyers were not able to be at Karaka because of travel restrictions, Bell said they were serviced well through additional content and NZ-based bloodstock agents.

“The Asian market has a lot of confidence in the relationships with the agents they have got over here.”

Group one winner Julius will make his raceday return at Pukekohe tomorrow where he will contest the Listed Haunui Farm Counties Bowl (1100m) for Bell.

Julius has been recovering from heel issues but Bell said he is now in good fettle, as seen at Te Aroha this month.