$675,000 Lonhro colt bound for Coolmore Australia

TWO of Australasia’s biggest breeding operations combined to set the top price for a yearling sold on day two of New Zealand Bloodstock’s national yearling sale at Karaka.

Lot 342, a Lonhro colt out of stakeswinning mare Thames Court, was offered by Cambridge Stud and was knocked down to the $675,000 bid of bloodstock agent James Bester on behalf of Coolmore Australia.

Bester outlasted a slew of international buyers to finally secure the colt.

The underbidder was prominent Sydney trainer John O’Shea.

Bester had made no secret of his desire to secure a colt with the potential to become a stallion prospect following a successful racetrack career.

“The American Pharoah colt (lot 189) and this fellow were the two colts on our list,” Bester said.

“He is a beautiful colt by Lonrho and one of the best Lonrhos you could see.

“His mother still holds the track record for a mile at Moonee Valley so we figure he is a late season 2yrold, Golden Rose or possibly Guineas type. . .

“I think he is a Kementaritype Lonhro and I think he is a special horse as I haven’t seen a Lonhro lately with this much quality.

“Colts are the holy grail and if you hit the right one you get a stallion prospect.”

Cambridge Stud chief executive Henry Plumptre was slightly taken aback by the price the stud had achieved with the colt.

“It’s way beyond our expectations, to be honest,” he said.

“He was quite a small, backward foal but he has done very well in his prep.”

“He’s kept improving all the time and I think the thing that probably grabbed James Bester, who was the one that picked him out, was that he loves athletic horses. He’s a beautifully athletic colt.”

‘‘He never took a backward step this week and paraded all the time. He’s done well and he has gone to a great home.”

“We’re hoping he can win a group 1 for them.”

Just one yearling has been knocked down to bidders registered south of the Waitaki after two of three days of book 1 (top tier) sales.

Southern interest in book 1 will peak today when White Robe Lodge will offer three yearlings.

They are a Ghibellines colt from Cherry Creek, an Ocean Park colt from Girls On Top and a Savabeel colt from Include.