There were mixed emotions at Karaka on Friday as 20 weanlings presented as Valachi Downs’ final offering at a physical sale found new homes when sold at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale.
The youngsters sold for an aggregate of $1.3 million, headlined by lot 1005, the Savabeel colt out of Bohemian Lily, who was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $360,000.
“I thought it was a great opportunity to buy from Valachi,” Ellis said.
“These are the best foals that they bred that year. They are here for a really genuine sale.
“I love the pedigree. We have got three Savabeel colts that are now at stud – Noverre, Embellish and Cool Aza Beel.
“I thought this is a Group One colt in the making if ever I have seen one. We are thrilled to have him for Te Akau Racing.”
Valachi Downs General Manager Gareth Downey was pleased with the result and he expected the colt to make that sort of money.
“it was inspiring to watch the way the team worked together over those last few days for that last draft, where motivation could have been struggling.”
It was a bittersweet day for Downey, who is overlooking the final stages of Valachi Downs’ stock dispersal.
“This will be the last time Valachi will ever sell at a public auction,” he said.
“Valachi have been such big supporters of New Zealand, and particularly New Zealand Bloodstock.
“It is great to be here with the final draft. It is very bittersweet, we would love to be carrying on for many more years, but it felt important to go out on a high note to honour Kevin, and it feels like that is what we have done.
“It is great to see the product honoured the way it was and the team effort was absolutely phenomenal. We are so lucky to have the team of people that we have at Valachi.
“This is the first stage of the four-stage dispersal process. Tonight 51 broodmares will go online (on plus.gavelhouse.com) and they will sell over the next week.
“As the hammer comes down on them, 52 of the racing stock go live online, and they sell for a week.
“We then have two weeks respite until the last of the horses, which is 21 weanlings and a few other mixed stock will go online right at the end of July.”
