Arrowfield graduates top Hong Kong Sale
The only two Arrowfield graduates in Friday evening’s Hong Kong International Sale have topped the results of the auction, which grossed $HK100.5 million, 5.9% up on last year’s figure, for 24 lots.
The top price of $HK8.5 million ($1,455,479) was paid by businessman Liu Yu Wen for the athletic 3YO Starcraft gelding out of Top Cuban, bred by Paul Favretto & Paul Rowe and sold by Arrowfield for $360,000 at the 2014 Inglis Easter Sale.
This is the all-time highest price for any progeny of Starcraft, and the second-highest price ever achieved at the Hong Kong Sale.
A full brother to Group 3 winner Havana, the gelding’s appeal has been enhanced by the recent outstanding performances of another Arrowfield-sold son of Starcraft. That’s Blizzard, unplaced in Sunday evening’s Hong Kong Derby HK-1, but otherwise a top-three finisher in 11 of his 15 starts for earnings of $HK7.7 million.
Top Cuban has an impressive Redoute’s Choice colt catalogued as Lot 113 in Arrowfield’s draft for this year’s Inglis Easter Sale.
Ho Ka Kui Boniface paid the Sale’s second-highest price of $HK7 million ($1,198,630) for the 2YO colt by Manhattan Rain from La Bamba.
A half-brother to Hong Kong star Inspiration & Australian Guineas G1 winner Wandjina, he was a $700,000 purchase from Arrowfield’s offering at the 2015 Inglis Easter Sale. La Bamba’s yearling filly by Snitzel has been retained by the Stud.
Arrowfield will offer another superbly bred Manhattan Rain colt as Lot 233 at next month’s Easter Sale. He’s out of Charming Estelle, full sister to Australian Horse of the Year Lankan Rupee.
