The Anthony Burton-trained colt had shown plenty of ability early on, winning two trials before winning on debut over 1100m at Ruakaka earlier this month.

Being in his first season of training, Burton has mixed emotions about the sale.

“He has just got so much raw ability, he wasn’t really asked a question,” Burton said.

“It was a catch-22. I would have loved to have kept him, but he is off to bigger and brighter things, so I am happy.”

If the sale hadn’t gone through, Burton was looking at some early stakes targets in the spring with the son of Shamexpress.

“We were going to head to the Northland Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m) with him and down to Hawke’s Bay (for the Guineas) if it all worked out,” he said.

Tsunami Sam was purchased by Burton’s cousin Darren Smith out of Milan Park’s 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale draft for $12,000.

While he was passed in later in the year through NZB’s Ready To Run Sale, Burton said with his recent sale, they will head back to Karaka in January to try and replicate the result.