by Bruce Perry | Feb 24, 2022 | News
Recently Hall of Fame trainer “Murray Baker” announced his intention to retire this Autumn. Murray has been a huge part of the success of many of our BPB purchases and managed horses. We cannot thank Murray enough for all his efforts and enabling them to reach the heights they did which include:
Atlante – 1st New Zealand 2000 Guineas Gr1
Ambitious Owner – 1st Levin Classic Gr1, 2nd New Zealand 2000 Guineas Gr1
Nicoletta – 1st New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes Gr1
Maygrove – 1st Wellington Cup Gr2
Saracino – 1st VRC Danehill S Gr2, Waikato RC Foxbridge Plate Gr2
Dal Cielo – 1st ARC Diamond S Gr1
Eleonora – 1st MRC Ethereal S Gr3, 3rd VRC Crown Oaks Gr1
Murray you are a legend and we look forward to seeing you and Marianne down in the Wairarapa and catching up with you both, hopefully over lunch at Palliser Estate.
by Bruce Perry | Feb 24, 2022 | News
Once again, the NZB National Yearling Sale at Karaka will be held without the usual influx of overseas buyers. Thankfully the 2021 rendition proved that it needn’t be an obstacle and the sale was a great success. This year NZB has put together a sale which will see over 1000 yearlings auctioned off over 6 days beginning March 7.
BPB has already inspected well over 650 of the yearlings and will be onsite from the 1st of March to complete their inspections which will result in seeing some yearlings a number of times.
More often than not, Karaka provides buyers with some great value and last year BPB was able to purchase some lovely yearlings. This year the sale is almost 6 weeks later, and Bruce believes the yearlings are so much better as a result. Historically many of the New Zealand yearlings do much of their growing and as a consequence sleeping over the December and January period which is usually during the intensity of their sales preparation. This year they certainly seem to be physically and mentally much better due to less pressure.
With the bigger catalogue and increase in quality there will be plenty of opportunities to purchase a yearling that will develop into a top racing or racing & breeding prospect. Bruce and Becca will be onsite throughout the duration of the sale so make sure you contact them if you are interested in buying and need independent advice.
by Bruce Perry | Feb 24, 2022 | News
With the 2022 NZB National Yearling Sales less than two weeks away, buyers have an opportunity to purchase yearlings by New Zealand based sires whose progeny continue to perform on an international stage. A number of exciting young stallions are also well represented and if the quality of a number of the yearlings we have seen during our first inspections is anything to go by, the future looks bright.
BPB has always prided itself on looking to the future. Being involved in sourcing and securing stallions that they totally believe in has been a big part of that ethos. While Savabeel, Per Incanto and Zed are wonderful ambassador’s for BPB, we are looking forward to the new boys stepping up. Tivaci has already sired a Gr1 winner in Australia and Time Test’s first crop are 2yo’s and are looking promising. The latest stallion that BPB has been involved with from the outset is Ardrossan. His first two yearlings sold at auction made $170,000 & $70,000 at the recent Inglis Classic Sale and after seeing his Karaka representatives, it will be no surprise to see that success continue.
Stallion selection is never easy especially given the incredible demand from Australian Studs, so it is deeply satisfying for BPB to see these stallions succeed and leave their mark on the New Zealand breeding industry.
by Bruce Perry | May 10, 2021 | News
Pierina was too good for the rest of the field in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes at Te Rapa. Backing up from a brave third in the Listed Mauwatu Anzac Mile the 6yo Savabeel mare ripped away from the rest of the field at the 200m mark winning by 5 lengths after a dream trip with Michael McNab aboard.
The Stephen Marsh trained quality mare who has found her form is have a well deserved break before she will come back into work. With some solid black type under her belt she will be heading to stud to be covered by Almanzor before racing through the spring where she will look to target further black type.
The mare was purchased at the 2016 NZB Yearling Sales for $110,000 on behalf of owners JML Bloodstock and Greg Clarke.
by Bruce Perry | Feb 3, 2021 | News
The Karaka yearling sales are over for another year and BPB ended up delighted with the purchases they were able to secure on behalf of their clients.
Not knowing what the sale would hold at the start of the week, it was great to see buyers making use of the online bidding platform and using NZ based agents. With a solid clearance rate across the board, the sale overall was very strong, showing there is still a significant demand in Australia for the middle distance staying horses that NZ is known for breeding. With the atmosphere around the sale complex feeling a little quieter than normal it was still a great experience. What was noticeable was how relaxed the yearlings were at Karaka which was brilliant for inspections. In a normal year, yearling parades at Karaka would be hectic as a result of the influx of overseas buyers and as a consequence yearlings are often tired and stressed which often impacts on the way they present. This year yearlings seemed far more comfortable in the surroundings and paraded accordingly which was fantastic from our perspective.
Lot 416 Almanzor x Genius Colt
BPB was able to happily secure a number of horses for the likes of Danny O’Brien and Lib Petagna. Cambridge Studs first season sire Almanzor made his mark with a number of quality types through the drafts of many different studs. BPB secured 7 of Almanzor’s progeny with 6 of those definitely going to Australia. Other first season sires such as Inglewood’s War Decree and Little Avondale’s Time Test also made their mark with BPB securing a lovely filly by War Decree from the Inglewood draft and colt by Time Test from Mapperley Studs draft – both for Lib Petagna.
With Sydney Classic about to kick off, it will be great to follow results for what is proving to so far be a strong sale year across Australasia. BPB was lucky enough to see most of the NZ yearlings heading to Australian sales before they left and there are some quality types heading through the ring.
