With the challenge of navigating through Karaka 2021 in a virtual space, we have taken great care to enlist local support of long term associates and highly respected experts in their own right to assist with selections and critical physical and clinical evaluations.

The online information and live video of most lots was very comprehensive to complement the whole process.

I went with experience, and my team are all over 50. Online x-rays and video endoscopes were evaluated by our regular sales vets and one of Australia’s most respected racetrack veterinarians while physical clinicals at the sale grounds were conducted by one of New Zealand’s finest racetrack veterinarians, so we achieved a broad panel consultation.

To cement experience of unknown or speculative purchases, I consciously purchased fewer numbers from Karaka this year. I was also more critical of sticking to sires that have a proven record of producing multiple Group One winners of Australia’s very best feature races.

I was delighted to secure three yearlings at the sale, all of which passed our rigorous selection criteria with flying colours.

The first of my purchases was lot 224, a Tavistock colt out of the Zabeel mare Zeranti. Identified as a Classic type, he represented excellent value at NZ$200,000.

He is an impeccable physical specimen and a full brother to class three-year-old The Irishman who was recently stakes placed and subsequently sold to Hong Kong. We look forward to having him trained under the watchful eyes of leading Sydney trainers Peter and Paul Snowden at Randwick.

I went back-to-back, purchasing lot 225, another great Derby type of colt by Tavistock out of the Zabeel mare Ziffel. Secured for a bargain price of NZ$230,000, his dam is a half-sister to boom Australian two-year-old Amelia’s Dream, plus Romantic Time, the dam of 2020 G1 VRC Derby placegetter Young Werther (also by Tavistock). He will head to the stable of one of our regular trainers John Thompson at Randwick, a trainer we have enjoyed plenty of success with.

Both of these colts were purchased from the leading New Zealand nursery of Cambridge Stud, and both are bred on the all-important Tavistock/Zabeel cross that we love so much.

The third and final purchase to complete DGR’s 2021 cohort of New Zealand yearlings was lot 344, a classy filly by So You Think out of the sprint-winning Lonhro mare Dazzling Lady.

She was great buying at NZ$200,000 and was just a tremendous physical type with loads of presence and a deep pedigree which offers plenty of residual value when she finishes her racing career. She has been placed with leading trainer of Classic fillies, John Sargent at Randwick.

Further information about my Karaka 2021 purchases can be viewed here

There are limited ownership opportunities remaining in these yearlings, so don’t delay in getting in touch with myself at dgr@dgrracing.com.au or +61 418 969 740 to learn more about how you can get involved in the ownership.

Best wishes
Duncan