Zoustar Gelding Tops HK International Sale for HK$8.6million

A quality Australian Zoustar gelding, bred and sold by Ian Smith’s Edinburg Park topped the 2023 Hong Kong International Sale at Sha Tin on Friday evening.

Sourced from Magic Millions in 2021 by the Hong Kong Jockey Club from the Edinburgh Park draft for $550,000, the gelding from Fortune of War was bought by Angela Yeung for HK$8.6million (A$1.65million).

Following three withdrawals, 15 horses were sold for a total return of HK$71.6 million, up from HK$7.1 million in 2022.

Mr Danny Rolston, The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Executive Manager, International Sale/Owners Advisory Services, said: “We’ve seen a really successful running of the Hong Kong International Sale for 2023. There was a record turnout of permit holders here to join in the event and we really feel like we’ve delivered on the client hospitality.

“We knew we had nice horses so we came into this knowing that the sale would be healthy and we put success of the sales results down to two things – and both relate to confidence.”

The sale average rose to HK$4.77 million this year, up from HK$4.17 million in 2022.

“Primarily, the confidence in the Hong Kong racing is so high with the continued increased prize money and the motivation by owners to stay involved and replenish with these nice horses is really high and secondly the systems we’ve got in place with the Hong Kong International Sale,” Mr Rolston said.

“We’ve seen a great year with the graduates on the track. Owners are really respecting the processes we’ve put in place in that we’ve been not only very selective but the processes we put them through with their education but, more importantly, the assessment we’re putting on these horses.”

The sale-topping gelding is a half-brother to Group III placed Spoils from stakes-placed Fortune of War, a half-sister by General Nediym to Group winners Sertorius, Pretty Brazen, Dollar for Dollar, Pretty Amazing and Clifton Red from blue hen Pretty Penny.