The sale ring at Karaka in New Zealand has been on fire this week for the 2008 NZB Premier Yearling Sale with some sensational young thoroughbreds fetching big money including the full brother to promising young sire Cheval de Troy, who fetched $620,000.
By champion sire Zabeel from the Success Express (USA) mare Better Succeed, the Cambridge Stud bred colt was knocked down to Queensland based investor Nathan Tinkler under his Patinack Farm banner.
Mr Tinkler declared him one of the colts of the sale and was pleasantly surprised to secure him at that price having set aside considerably more in his quest to secure top class horses for his new bloodstock portfolio.
Retired to Stan and Marilyn Johnson’s Craiglea Stud at Kenilworth in Queensland last year, Cheval de Troy (pictured left) is a superb looking stakes-winning son of Zabeel who was good enough to finish third in the Group One STC Canterbury Guineas at three.
Also a winner over 1200 metres as a two year-old, Cheval de Troy comes from a great Australian family featuring former star mare Diamond Shower, whose descendants include Diamond Cashel, the dam of the top priced yearling on day one at Karaka, a filly by One Cool Cat (USA) that made $925,000.
Standing at a fee of $3,300, Cheval de Troy represents great value for Queensland breeders looking for a quality individual with a pedigree suitable to the many mares carrying Danehill blood.
The EI outbreak in Queensland severely hampered Cheval de Troy in his first season with the ban on horse movements resulting in him covering just 27 mares, but there is no doubting his credentials and with a return to normal conditions he will undoubtedly enjoy greater patronage in 2008.
Full Brother to Cheval de Troy a Karaka Star
