Red-letter day for Matamata farm on Day 1 at Ready To Run Sale.
Kilgravin Lodge didn't really have time to celebrate the sale of their NZ$725,000 colt who was a star of Day 1 at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run offering.
The Matamata farm had a big draft in the two-day offering and attention quickly turned to lots that were to the follow the son of Written Tycoon, who sold to Andrew Williams and Blandford Bloodstock.
One of them outdid what Eoin Kemp thought was sure to remain their top lot of the sale.
A colt by Darley shuttler Harry Angel got to $800,000 before being knocked down to Williams again, but this time in partnership with Tartan Meadow Bloodstock.
"We sold a Hellbent for more than $500,000 last year, but this far surpasses that," Kemp said of the two top lots of the day.
"They're the highest prices we've ever had. It comes down to a team effort between our agents, vets, farriers and staff at home. It's just a big team effort across the board."
Tartan Meadow Bloodstock's Paul Chow said the Harry Angel colt, who is from the Zacinto mare Monrecour, was bought for a Hong Kong buyer but would remain in New Zealand for up to 12 months longer to full mature.
"I think this horse is very well put together, well balanced and correct," Chow said.
"He's athletic enough as well, so there wasn't much to fault him. His breeze-up was good and he vetted well.
"He's got size and weight, which is important too, and he's from the family that produced Fifty Fifty – a proven family in Hong Kong.
"He'll stay in New Zealand to finish his education. He can mature and grow, strengthen a little bit, and then he will more than likely end up in Hong Kong if he measures up."
Kilgravin Lodge's two big lots were among seven $500,000-plus youngsters on Day 1 of the sale, which also saw an I Am Invincible colt sell for $580,000 and the Contributer half-brother to Lucky Sweynesse one of two lots to go for $550,000.
The sale continues from 11am NZ time on Wednesday.
