Stuff Rich Hill Stud Vadamos delivered two of the opening day stars of the Book 2 session of Bloodstock New Zealand’s National Birth Year Sale in Karaka on March 10.
With the oldest plant in New Zealand by the son of the world famous stallion Monsun, who is only 3 years old and has horses of the caliber that have won multiple stakes and are runners-up at the New Zealand Derby (G1) La CriqueVadamos’ progeny is in great demand, as evidenced by his results at Karaka so far this week.
Respected bloodline agent Phill Cataldo used NZD 260,000 (US$177,428) to secure a small sum (Lot 230) from the Rich Hill Stud draft for trainer Mick Price in Book 1 while the trainings were in progress. Officers Roger James and Lance O’Sullivan took part in two of the biggest battles of the March 10 battle when they dueled over a pair of Vadamos ponies.
James topped Lot 756, in Call Me Blondie when he shelled out the highest price of the day of NZ$180,000 ($122,953) for the sporting brown pony from the Haunui Ranch draft.
O’Sullivan was the lower bidder for that individual but received a well-deserved reward when he traveled to NZ$110,000 ($75,137) for Lot 796, from Direct Star to protect her from the Rich Hill Stud.
James admits he’s exhausted resources for his purchases, who come from the “Heights” family known for stock performers like Mapperley Heights , Sky Heights, Royal Heights and Higher on the genealogy page.
“We tried a few earlier in the day, but this is our first successful bid today,” says James.
“We met him at the ranch (Haunui farm) a while back and he was a little bit traumatized at the time, but when I went out and saw him again, it didn’t bother me. mind, although we did have him checked to make sure.”
“He’s one of the males of the moment in Vadamos, a young male doing everything right and coming out of a tried and true family.
“I think that’s where New Zealand excels, breeding lodgers and to me he looks like a keen stay-at-home person who should operate at long range and beyond.
“I also prefer a medium-sized horse because I think they are easier to keep to the sound.
“We bought him for service, so hopefully we can get that done pretty quickly.”
Haunui Farm Principal Mark Chitty was delighted to see the foal joining a top local stable, and delighted for his client.
“He’s a lovely pony, a nice medium-sized pony, a good mover and has a great temperament,” he said.
“He had a bit of a problem with the controls back in October and it’s great that his X-rays and scope have given buyers confidence in him.
“I think this March sales timing also helps him from that perspective.
“This is also great for my clients Christine Wilkinson and Craig Grey, who have been such strong supporters of Haunui Farms and it’s been great to have such an amazing result for them.”
The Vadamos colt was consigned as Lot 796 at the Karaka yearbook sale in New Zealand
O’Sullivan and Scott, who secured six individuals in Book 1, in addition to one Written colt (Lot 706) earlier in Book 2, had to wait until near the end of the game to get Vadamos’ lot 796.
O’Sullivan said: ‘He’s a really nice pony, we were hoping to run a ride as a 3-year-old.
“Vadamos stock is really sought after and at NZ$110,000 I think he’s worth quite a bit, as we’re prepared to go a little bit higher.
“We tried one earlier in the day and had no such luck, but they are both beautiful horses and I would be happy to bring one back home to Wexford Stables.”
Principal John Thompson of Rich Hill Stud admits he had high expectations for his pony (Plot 796) and Vadamos’ progeny during the sale.
“It’s not a surprise for that amount of money, but you never know and when they get to that level it tends to be the last man standing,” he said.
“I believe Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott bought him because I’ve known them for many years and they bought one too. Shocking colt (Lot 121) for NZ$240,000 ($164,380) from us on Sale Day 1.
“This pony came out of a Sir Percy mare, and of course, Sir Percy won the English Derby (G1), and this guy has a lovely length for him, a great move and a very smart brain.
“You can tell it by how he just walks around the parade ring outside and again in the ring, just goes through it, sells, and goes back to his stall.
“We are delighted with how far Vadamos has come this year and his service fee for this crop is only NZ$15,000 (approximately $10,246) so he has turned out to be a very profitable stallion. to those who sold here.”
Day 5 in Karaka will continue from 11am (NZ time) on March 11.
