Hong Kong’s strong presence continued to be felt on the second day of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run sale on Thursday.
Lot 258, the Capitalist colt out of Group Three performer Sebrina, has joined the list of purchases destined for the Asian racing jurisdiction after he was secured by bloodstock agent John Foote for Hong Kong trainer David Hall for $625,000.
“He will go to Hong Kong, he (Capitalist) is popular in Hong Kong,” Foote said.
“He (Capitalist) had a good winner in Hong Kong on Sunday night in Superb Capitalist on debut for Tony Cruz and last night (Wednesday) as well with Savvy Chic winning for Frankie Lor.
“He is doing well in Hong Kong so far. They (owners) are keen on the stallion and were happy to buy him.”
Offered in Australia as a yearling, the colt failed to meet his A$350,000 reserve and the decision was made by vendor Regal Farms to put him through the Ready To Run Sale at Karaka.
Foote had inspected the colt as a yearling and was impressed with the way he had matured when inspecting him at Karaka this week.
“I haven’t seen a lot of them (New Zealand yearlings) due to COVID-19 as we couldn’t come to New Zealand, but the ones in Australia we saw and it is good to see them progress, and he did progress,” he said.
“He is a beautiful horse and breezed well. He is by a proven stallion and had everything that you want for Hong Kong at the moment.”
The top-end of the market at the Ready to Run Sale has been dominated by horses bound for Hong Kong.