HK buyers splash out at Karaka sales

Hong Kong connections were prime movers at the Karaka Premier Yearling Sale in New Zealand this week, with the Jockey Club the second-biggest spender and Dr Gene Tsoi Wai-wang the seller of the colt that topped the prestigious auction.

Tsoi (pictured) is best known in racing as the owner-breeder of the Derby-winning filly Elegant Fashion, but also bred and races the current top-class mare King's Rose in Australia and New Zealand.

On Tuesday, the second day of the Premier session, Tsoi sold a half-brother to King's Rose by the leading stallion Fastnet Rock for NZ$1.75 million (HK$11.3 million) which made him the top lot of the sale and gave his breeder the unique distinction of offering the sale topper two years running. Last year, Tsoi sold a half-brother by Red Ransom for NZ$875,000.

Like him, the Fastnet Rock was purchased by prominent New Zealand owner-breeder, David Ellis, who fended off international giant Coolmore to make a purchase that ensured he was once again the leading buyer at Karaka.

The club's agent, Mark Richards, was the second-biggest spender in total, outlaying NZ$2.65 million for 12 yearlings, the most costly of them the Encosta De Lago - Ballermoss and Thorn Park - Sharvasti for NZ$350,000 apiece and an Encosta De Lago - Giovanna colt for NZ$310,000.

The New Zealand purchases will form the backbone of the Jockey Club's International Sale on the eve of the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby in March.