$800,000 Zoustar Filly Tops Karaka Book 1 Sunday Session

While international buyers weren’t able to be present at Karaka for New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale this week, Te Akau principal David Ellis ensured an international flavour wasn’t missing when seeking out what he believes is the best filly in this year’s sale.

The leading buyer was given instructions to purchase the best filly on the complex by Coolmore Principal John Magnier, and he did just that when securing lot 94, the Zoustar filly out of Group One performer Scintillula, from Pencarrow Stud’s Book 1 draft for $800,000.

While Te Akau has trained for the global thoroughbred powerhouse in the past, Ellis said this is the first time Magnier has purchased a yearling in partnership with Ellis’ New Zealand operation.

“John Magnier, who owns Coolmore Stud, said that he wanted to support Karaka this year and he wanted to take a share in my best filly,” Ellis said.

“He has got a good-sized share in the Zoustar filly with Te Akau as we thought that she was the best horse in the sale.”

Coolmore Stud stand Group One-producing sire Fastnet Rock, and Ellis said Magnier has been impressed with the deeds of his six-time Group One-winning daughter Avantage, who is trained by Te Akau’s Jamie Richards.

“I think the Magnier family have been very impressed with the job we have done with Avantage, who has won more Group Ones than any other Fastnet Rock,” Ellis said.

Further international flavour will be added to the filly’s ownership, with Ellis confirming a Hong Kong client will take a 50 percent share.

“We are pretty proud to have one of Te Akau’s best clients, from Hong Kong, taking a 50 percent share in the filly,” Ellis said.

“There is only a quarter left and that will sell very quickly.”

While the filly proved popular and reached $800,000, Ellis was prepared to extend further in order to secure her.

“It is very seldom that you see a filly at Karaka with her pedigree and as good an athlete as she is,” he said.

“We thought we would have to go to $1 million to buy her. We thought she would be the sales topping filly, and we are pretty happy to get her for $800,000.

“She is as nice a filly as we have bought.”

Pencarrow Stud Manager Leon Casey said the filly received a lot of attention and he anticipated a strong result for the half-sister to rising star filly Butter Chicken(by Savabeel), who was bough tat this sale in 2019 for $800,000.

“She is a top-class filly in every way,” he said.

“We had lots of interest from many good judges, including many New Zealanders as underbidders.

“She is a lovely type. You can see the Zoustar quality as well as the Galileo strength. Plenty of quality and depth.

“Sir Peter (Vela, Pencarrow Stud Principal) is prepared to offer the best we have. He doesn’t hold anything back because he has confidence in the market. What he does is for the good of the industry and not just for Pencarrow.”