Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) four-year-old Sandusky City (NZ) notched his second in a row in South Australia yesterday with another impressive win over 1200m in South Australia.

Haunui Farm stallions Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) and Iffraaj (GB) (Zafonic) has a successful day in the Northern Hemisphere yesterday with Elusive City siring a treble and first season sire Iffraaj notching up his second winner in the early stages of the flat racing season.

Racing at Newcastle in England saw a Haunui stallion race double with two-year-old filly Idiom (Ire) (Iffraaj) taking out the first race on the card.  Racing in the colours of the famed Godolphin stable, Idiom was impressive to say the least winning by five lengths over 6f at just her second start in the first race of the day.

Race two on the card at Newcastle saw Elusive City to the fore with four-year-old Tagseed (Ire) (Elusive City) setting the pace over 7f and finishing strongly at the line to record his second win from three starts this season.

Tagsee’s victory was one of three for the progeny of Elusive City yesterday with mare All The Nines (Ire) successful over 7f and Wolverhampton and Elusive Ridge (Ire) coming up trumps over 1m and 2f at Clonmel in Ireland at his first start for the season.

“Iffraaj getting his second winner is great news and Elusive City is on fire in the Northern Hemisphere at the moment having notched his first stakes performing two-year-old of the season earlier this week and the winners are coming left, right and, centre,” said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.

Both stallions return to Haunui Farm in 2010 with Elusive City standing at an unchanged fee of $8,000 + GST and Iffraaj standing at $10,000 + GST for his third season in New Zealand.

Haunui Farm stallion Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) notched his first blacktype two-year-old performer of the Northern Hemisphere season yesterday when two-year-old filly Malpas Missile (Ire) (Elusive City) ran an impressive third in the Listed Hilary Needler Trophy over five furlongs at Beverley.

Lining up for just the third time, Malpas Missile showed her inexperience in the final stages running around over the last 200m however with a formline reading 233 and blacktype cemented on her pedigree page at this early stage of the flat racing season, there is no doubt trainer Tom Dascombe will have his sights set on further blacktype success before season’s end.

Champion First Season Sire of Europe in 2008, Elusive City continued his success in the North last season siring Group One winner Elusive Wave (Ire) and Group One performer Soul City (Ire).  2010 saw the young sire relocated from the Irish National Stud to Haras d’Etreham in France where he now commands a €20,000 service fee.

Elusive City will return to Haunui Farm in 2010 off the back of an extremely successful yearling sales series where he averaged almost ten times his current service fee as well as some solid racetrack success with Group Two-winner Returntosender (Aus) (Elusive City) and the exciting Dasoudi (NZ) (Elusive City).  The imminent return of stakeswinner Lamington Vegas (NZ) (Elusive City) should also ensure further success for Elusive City in the coming months.

Elusive City will once again stand for a fee of $8,000 + GST in 2010 and will serve a limited book of 120 as with all of the Haunui Farm stallions.  For more information, please feel free to contact Mark Chitty – 021 663 995 – Shannon Taylor – 0212 855 513 – or Justine Sclater – 0276 464 761.

Hot on the heels of a successful weanling sale earlier this month, Haunui Farm stallion Iffraaj (GB) (Zafonic) has sired his first winner in the Northern Hemisphere with two-year-old colt Nasharra (Ire) (Iffraaj) impressing over five furlongs on debut at Leicester.

Crossing the line with a length to spare, the Kevin Ryan-trained colt raced prominently for jockey Jamie Spencer and put the race beyond doubt with a furlong to run.

“We have been receiving so many good comments in regard to Iffraaj’s two-year-olds in the Northern Hemisphere so it is nice to get the first points on the board,” said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  “He was the leading first season sire at the May Sale with a top price of $50,000 for one of his colts whilst we sold a filly by him for $40,000 so to notch his first winner now is certainly very timely,” he said.  “Given that flat racing is only just getting underway in Europe, by all accounts I think we have an exciting few months ahead,” said Mark.

Timeform’s highest rated speed horse of 2006, Iffraaj is a three-time Group Two-winner and was Group One placed in the July Cup.  He is out of a half sister to Cape Cross (Ire) (Green Desert), a sire who has proven very successful in both hemispheres siring the likes of Ouija Board (Ire), Sea The Stars (Ire), Able One (NZ) and  Seachange (NZ).  Iffraaj will stand his third season at Haunui Farm in 2010 for a fee of $10,000 + GST and will serve a limited book of 120 mares.

For more information in regard to the Haunui stallions, please feel free to contact
 Mark Chitty - 021 663 995, Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513 or, Justine Sclater - 0276 464 761.

Haunui Farm stallion Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) continues to stack up the winners with runners scoring in New Zealand, Australia and Macau over the last ten days.

It started last weekend with the impressive effort of Dasoudi (NZ) (Elusive City) on a rain-soaked track at Tauranga. 

The winner of three from five starts before the race meeting, trainer Jon Miller was uncertain how the four-year-old mare would handle the footing given she had only raced once on a wet track.  Those thoughts were possibly emulated by many when the mare looked to be uncomfortable in the ground and settled at the rear of the field.  However, jockey Danielle Johnson bided her time and pulled the mare to the extreme outside upon turning for home.  Once balanced, she gave Dasoudi one crack of the whip behind the saddle and the race was all over within five strides as Dasoudi powered to the lead and won by an impressive two-and-a-quarter lengths to take her record to four wins and two seconds from six starts.  The mare is set to return to Tauranga next month for the Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m) and with such an impressive form line, she should be hard to beat.

On the other side of the Tasman the Gerald Ryan-trained Ahdashim (NZ) (Elusive City) also put in a last to first effort at Royal Randwick when flying home over the last 150m to win over 1200m.  Four times stakes placed, Ahdashim is headed to the Brisbane Carnival in search of that elusive black type win.

This past weekend saw a trio of winners for Elusive City, a trans-Tasman double once again with victories by Marzia (NZ) (Elusive City) at Waikato and Timecall (NZ) (Elusive City) in Queensland whilst Elusive Fortune (NZ) (Elusive City) now racing as Caga Delight, scored his first victory at just his second start in Macau.

“Five winners in eight days in three different countries is certainly very pleasing,” said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  “Elusive City has certainly had a strong 2010 to date and there’s no doubt this will continue into the new season,” he said.  “His results in the yearling sale ring were second to none averaging almost ten times his service fee, his winners to runners ratio has climbed to an impressive 75% for his first crop and, he has added a Group Two winner in Australia to his tally of stakes performers,” said Mark.  “For a stallion standing at $8,000, he is boxing well above his weight,” he said.

Elusive City will stand at Haunui Farm in 2010 for a fee of $8,000 + GST and will serve a limited book of 120 mares.  For more information in regard to any of the Haunui stallions, please feel free to contact Mark Chitty – 021 663 995 – Shannon Taylor – 0212 855 513 – or Justine Sclater – 0276 464 761.

The Graeme Richardson-trained Don Domingo (NZ) (Don Eduardo) made it back to back wins on Saturday with an impressive win over 1560m at Rotorua.

Settling just behind the leaders who set a solid tempo for the race, Don Domingo mounted his challenge on the turn and under a hands and heels ride from apprentice jockey Alvin Ng, made light work of his opposition stretching out to a comfortable two-and-a-half length victory.

The winner of four, Don Domingo has a further four seconds and three thirds to his credit with his trainer looking toward races such as the Rich Hill Mile over the Ellerslie Christmas Carnival.  “I have tried him over staying distances a few times and it hasn’t panned out,” said Graeme.  “He has a too much brilliance and I think he is better suited to a mile,” he said.  “He will have a start at Te Rapa in a fortnight’s time as long as the track is OK and then he will go to the paddock and come back in the Spring,” he said.

Racing in Victoria yesterday saw a winner a piece for Haunui Farm stallions Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) and Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality).

First to salute the judge was four-year-old Meet Me At Raffles (NZ) (Don Eduardo) who has put together victories at his last two starts.  Racing over 2015m, he pulled in the early stages of the race before settling just in behind the lead.  In the home straight, he came home strongly for a solid win – his third to date.

Elusive City four-year-old Sandusky City (NZ) lined up in the last event on the card over the shorter trip of 1109m.  Taking up the running, Sandusky City proved too strong and zoomed clear at the 300m proving too tough for his rivals to run down to record his fourth win.

Both stallions have enjoyed a solid run of success over the autumn, Don Eduardo siring three Group One performers in Booming (NZ), Swift Alliance (Aus) and Divine Rebel (NZ) whilst Elusive City notched his first Group winner in Australia last month through the deeds of Returntosender (Aus). 

Don Eduardo stands for a fee of $7,000 + GST this season and Elusive City $8,000 + GST.  Both stallions will serve a limited book of 120 mares.

The progeny of Haunui Farm stallion Iffraaj (GB) (Zafonic) proved very popular at NZB’s National Weanling Sale in early May with the three-time Group Two-winner the heading the first season sire’s list and featuring in the top ten stallions of the sale.

With two exciting young stallions in Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) and Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) that have both had their share of sale ring and racetrack success in 2010, Haunui Farm is pleased to announce their service fees for the 2010 season.

2010 will see Don Eduardo and Elusive City stand at the same fees as last season, $7,000 + GST and $8,000 + GST respectively whilst Iffraaj (GB) (Zafonic), who will be standing his third season at Haunui Farm this coming season, will stand at a fee of $10,000 + GST.

“I’m sure there will be a number of people very surprised that we have decided not to increase both Don Eduardo and Elusive City’s service fees however, we are very mindful that we are still in a very critical time in the New Zealand breeding industry,” said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  “Both stallions enjoyed great success at the yearling sales this year, especially Elusive City who averaged over seven times his service fee but, we felt it was important to maintain the momentum for both stallions in terms of broodmare support,” he said.

Don Eduardo enjoyed the perfect start to the current racing season with multiple stakes winners Swift Alliance (Aus) and Moti (NZ) flying the flag in Australia in the spring.  Both at their best over shorter trips, they highlighted the versatility of their sire and put him on the map in metropolitan racing in both Sydney and Melbourne.  Swift Alliance has returned in the Autumn to notch a further Group Three success at Rosehill on Slipper day and was beaten just a head and a neck in the Group One The Galaxy (1200m) to become his sire’s fourth Group One performer.  Auckland Cup-runner up Booming (NZ) (Don Eduardo) proved he is up with the best stayers in Australia when third in the Listed Japan Racing Association Plate (2000m) whilst Divine Rebel (NZ) (Don Eduardo) once again relished the two miles of the Sydney Cup to finish runner-up for the second year in-a-row.

Karaka 2010 saw Don Eduardo notch yet another six figure yearling, a colt selling for $140,000 and destined for the stable of Lee Freedman, whilst the Sydney Easter Yearling sale saw the one and only Don Eduardo colt in the catalogue fetch A$160,000 to the bid of Hawkes Racing.

One of the most in demand stallions at Karaka in 2010 was Elusive City who completed the sales series with an average of $77,130, almost ten times his service fee.  With yearlings selling for six figures across all three sessions, Elusive City averaged over $200,000 in the Premier Sale alone and topped both the Select and Festival sales with prices of $250,000 and $110,000 respectively.  These impressive sales figures came on the back of some strong performers in Hong Kong and Singapore, namely Hong Kong Derby place getter Brave Kid (NZ), the winner of six from eight this season, and Singapore winners All Elusive (NZ) and Williams (NZ).

Elusive City has followed this sale ring success with an impressive Group winner in Australasia thanks to the efforts of Returntosender (Aus) in taking out the Group Two Queen of the South Stakes (1600m), leaving the likes of dual Group One and multiple Group-winner Zarita (NZ) (Pentire) in her wake.  Already stakes placed at three, Returntosender is one of six stakes performers in the Southern Hemisphere for Elusive City with his oldest crop just four, and is one of a total seventeen worldwide including Group One winner Elusive Wave (Ire) and Group One performer Soul City (Ire) in the Northern Hemisphere.  “Elusive City boasts an incredible 75% winners to runners ratio from his first crop which compares extremely well with any stallion currently standing in New Zealand,” said Mark.

Rounding out the Haunui Farm stallion roster in 2010 is three time Group Two-winner and Group One performer Iffraaj (GB) (Zafonic) – Timeform’s highest rated sprinter of Europe in 2006.  With his first Southern Hemisphere crop just weanlings, Iffraaj is arguably the best sprinting stallion to have been retired to stud in New Zealand in recent years.  A world class sprinter with a pedigree that has proven successful in the Southern Hemisphere through his close relation Cape Cross (GB) (Green Desert), he has stamped his progeny with looks and quality and his two-year-olds in the Northern Hemisphere are already making an impression.  “Iffraaj is certainly very exciting and I’m sure his first crop foals will make an impression in the market place,” said Mark.

Once again, all Haunui Farm stallions will serve a limited book of 120 mares offered on a free return basis.  “Limiting the number of mares covered by each of our stallions gives everyone a chance,” said Mark.  “Our service fees are extremely competitive and provide all breeders with the opportunity to breed racehorses or yearlings that are highly sought after in the commercial market,” he said.

Haunui Farm is also pleased to announce the appointment of Justine Sclater to the role of Stallion Nominations Manager.  A breeder in her own right, Justine has a lifelong involvement in the thoroughbred industry having worked at stud farms all over the world whilst in recent years she has achieved outstanding results in the sale ring as a preparer and vendor of yearlings under the Kirkwall Thoroughbreds banner.  Justine has also served as Secretary of the Waikato Branch of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association for the last ten years.

“We are excited to have Justine on board,” said Mark.  “Shannon Taylor remains on board as our Marketing and Operations Manager however her role at Haunui has expanded considerably in recent years and to have someone solely focused on the sale of stallion nominations will be of great benefit to us,” said Mark.  “Justine is well respected and known in the industry having sold yearlings in her own right and as a small breeder herself, she knows exactly what the breeding game is all about,” he said.  “

For more information in regard to any of the Haunui stallions, please feel free to contact:

Mark Chitty – General Manager, Haunui Farm

T 09 530 8736

M 021 663 995

Shannon Taylor – Marketing & Operations Manager

T 09 530 8736

M 0212 855 513

Justine Sclater – Stallion Nominations Manager

M 0276 464 761

Haunui Farm has long been recognised as a leading vendor in the yearling sale ring however results from weanling sales over recent years mean discerning buyers shouldn’t attend New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale commencing on the 3^rd of May without paying close attention to the lots Haunui has to offer.

Results on the racetrack have come through the deeds of Jungle Rocket (NZ) (Jungle Pocket) sold as a weanling from Haunui’s 2006 draft.  Purchased by NZB’s John Cameron for new investors into the New Zealand industry David and Cynthia Pleasance and, Craig and Louise Betts, John paid $21,500 for the filly who went on to win the Group One New Zealand Oaks last season. 

Another prime example of a weanling sale success story is the Singapore-based Goldschatz (NZ) (Pins).  Trained by Stephen Gray, Goldschatz is the winner of five of his last seven races, his wins include the SIN-G3 Fortune Bowl (2000m) at stakes level with his most recent start a second in the SIN-G2 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) on the 23^rd of April.

Weanling sales can be a pin-hookers delight and Haunui’s results in this regard are second to none selling weanlings that go on to make six figures in the yearling sale ring.  2009 saw three weanlings sold from the Haunui draft for $30,000.  As yearlings, a colt by Show A Heart fetched $210,000, an Elusive City colt fetched $200,000 and a Don Eduardo colt $140,000.  Another Elusive City colt that was sold for $12,000 realised $90,000 at the yearling sales.

In 2010, Haunui Farm will offer four weanlings from the first crop of three-time Group Two-winner and Group One-performer Iffraaj (GB) (Zafonic).  Out of a half sister to Cape Cross (GB) (Green Desert), Iffraaj represents a pedigree that has been very successful when crossed with New Zealand’s broodmare’s and the quality of his progeny will be turning heads at Karaka at the beginning of next week.

“I’m sure anyone who inspects any of the weanlings by Iffraaj in our draft will be more than impressed with what they see,” said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  “They are all good types that take the eye and I’m confident should they be purchased to on-sell as yearlings or to retain and race, buyers will get very good results,” he said.

“The weanling sale has become quite a success for us over the last few years,” said Mark.  “Pin-hookers have generated some fairly significant returns and as a result, we see them coming back and inspecting our weanlings each year,” he said.  “We have one of the nicest drafts of weanlings we have ever presented in terms of physical type and conformation and the first Iffraaj weanlings are definitely going to make an impression,” he said.  “Our two young stallions Don Eduardo and Elusive City enjoyed a fantastic yearling sale season and in recent times have sired two Group One performers and a Group Two-winner respectively so those results speak for themselves and I’m sure buyers will once again be inspecting any weanlings by them very closely,” he said.

Haunui Farm will also offer a draft of mares at the sale which includes Lot 587 Group Two-winner Scarlet Runner (NZ) (Kingdom Bay), the dam of Champion Juvenile of Singapore Onceuponatime (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy) as well as Lot 696, Cassovia (NZ) (Zabeel), a daughter of multiple Group One-winner Coogee Walk (NZ) (Success Express).  “We have a number of nice mares in the sale that will provide buyers with an opportunity of getting into some nice families,” said Mark.  “The likes of Scarlet Runner and Cassovia will obviously attract attention but there are some very nice young mares in foal to our stallions that buyers shouldn’t overlook,” he said.

For more information in regard to Haunui Farm’s 2010 May Sale Draft, please feel free to contact Mark Chitty – 021 663 995 – or Shannon Taylor – 0212 855 513.

For the second season in a row, Divine Rebel (NZ) (Don Eduardo) has put in a stellar performance in the Group One Sydney Cup (3200m) to finish second.

The five-year-old mare proved an exciting staying prospect for her sire, Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel), last season winning the Listed Epona Stakes (1900m) and the Group Two Chairman’s Handicap (2600m) on her way to a slashing second in the Group One Sydney Cup.  An injury leading into the spring curtailed what could have been a promising Cups campaign.

Summer and autumn racing provided some mixed results for Divine Rebel however trainer Mike Moroney was confident the five-year-old mare would find form at the right time and he wasn’t far off the mark.  Racing prominently throughout the race, Divine Rebel set a solid tempo early in the race before handing up and settling in behind Auckland Cup-winner Zavite (NZ) (Zabeel) with about a mile to run.  Swinging for home, Divine Rebel mounted her challenge and quickly took command over the rest of the field.  In the meantime, Jessicabeel (NZ) (Zabeel) had been biding her time toward the rear of the field and managed to get a run with 300m to go.  Divine Rebel stuck strongly to her task and it wasn’t until the last 100m that Jessicabeel hit the lead with Divine Rebel runner-up.

“It was a very gutsy effort by Divine Rebel and I guess the only consolation you can take out of another Group One second is that the race was won by a New Zealand-bred horse and she was by Zabeel,” said Shannon Taylor, Marketing & Operations Manager at Haunui Farm.  “She has put in two fantastic performances in this race over the past two years so she obviously relishes the two miles which bodes well for the first Tuesday in November,” she said. 

Haunui Farm stallion Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) was one of the most “in demand” stallions at Karaka 2010 and he has followed that sale ring success with some impressive results including the placing of Brave Kid (NZ) (Elusive City) in the Hong Kong Derby, unbeaten filly So Elusive (NZ) (Elusive City) who heads to the Group Three Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes on the 1^st of May and, an impressive Caulfield win for Returntosender (Aus) (Elusive City). 

Doncaster Day at Royal Randwick proved very fruitful for the progeny of Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) with four-year-old entire Swift Alliance (Aus) (Don Eduardo) proving he is right up there with Australia’s top sprinters beaten a neck and a neck in the Group One The Galaxy (1200m) on Saturday.

Tipped to be a sure thing by trainer Gai Waterhouse in the week leading up to the sprint feature, Swift Alliance travelled mid-field for jockey Nash Rawiller.  Race favourite Ortensia (Aus) (Testa Rossa), regarded as one of the best sprinters in Australia at the present time, made her run down the extreme outside of the track with the race commentator’s attention firmly focused on the efforts of the four-year-old mare.  In the meantime, Swift Alliance mounted his challenge and emerged from the middle of the pack with a furlong to run to be in a tight finish with the eventual race winner and second place getter Shellscrape (Aus) (Dane Shadow).

“It was a fantastic run and from where I was I thought he had won,” said Gooree Park General Manager Andrew Baddock.  “He is a great horse, he’s won two Group Three’s and is now Group One placed,” he said.  “I’ve said all along he will win a Group One race and we’ll be heading to Brisbane with him now for a tilt at the BTC Cup over 1200m,” said Andrew.

Earlier on Doncaster Day, Group One Auckland Cup runner-up Booming (NZ) (Don Eduardo) finished third in the Listed Japan Racing Association Plate (2000m) in what was his first start since the million dollar race in early March.  In Sydney for a tilt at the Group One Australian Cup, Booming will be looking to go one better when lining up in the two mile feature next Saturday than Don Eduardo mare Divine Rebel (NZ) who ran second in last year’s rendition of the race.

“Saturday’s results were certainly a strong indication of Don Eduardo’s versatility siring a Group One performer over 1200m and a stakes performer over 2000m on the same card,” said Shannon Taylor, Haunui Farm’s Marketing and Operations Manager.  “There is no doubt Don Eduardo is emerging as a very exciting young stallion and to get two stakes performers at Royal Randwick on one of the AJC’s biggest days of racing is no mean feat,” she said.  “He also had Don Domingo win at Ellerslie on the same day so it was a pretty good one all round,” she said.

Swift Alliance is more than likely to be joined on a Queensland campaign by two-year-old filly Touch Of Greatness (Aus) (Don Eduardo) who has impressed with two trial wins to date.  Set to line up on raceday for the first time on the 5^th of May, all going well she too will head north to contest some of the two-year-old features over the Queensland Carnival.

“He has some quality horses doing a very good job at present, not only the likes of Swift Alliance and Booming but also Autumn Ember, Zevada and Touch Of Greatness who looks to be an exciting prospect,” said Shannon.  “We sold a Don Eduardo colt at the Easter Sale just two weeks ago for $160,000 to Hawkes racing,” she said.  “There was plenty of competition on the colt and there is no doubt the success Don Eduardo’s progeny have had in Australia has been noted and he is definitely a respected stallion in the market place over there,” said Shannon. 

Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) filly So Elusive (NZ) made no contest of her second start at Wingatui today with an effortless victory over 1200m.

Jumping from barrier two, the big, strong filly went straight the lead and had the rest of the field off the bit as she travelled to the home turn with ears pricked.  Given a couple of reminders behind the saddle by jockey Lisa Allpress to keep her mind on the job, So Elusive cruised across the line with three lengths to spare.

Today’s victory cemented a trip north to contest the Group Three Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes over 1200m on the 1^st of May.

So Elusive joins the likes of Da Soudi (NZ) (Elusive City) the winner of three from five starts, stakes winner Lamington Vegas (NZ) (Elusive City) and stakes performer Returntosender (NZ) (Elusive City) as members of the fairer sex who are set to make an impact for their sire in the coming months.

“Michael Pitman has always spoken highly of So Elusive and she did it easily today,” said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  “Da Soudi returned to the track last week with an impressive second, Returntosender won at Caulfield over the Easter period and Lamington Vegas is set to step out again shortly,” he said.  “All four are exciting prospects for Elusive City over the coming months,” he said.

Haunui Farm General Manager Mark Chitty took a gamble when sale entries were completed deciding to send a colt by Don Eduardo to the William Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.  Late on Thursday afternoon, that gamble paid dividends.

“We had two colts that were very similar on type and looks and I thought that if we sold them both at Karaka, one would have benefited to the detriment of the other,” said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  “Don Eduardo had a flying start to the season with Swift Alliance and Moti winning six stakes races between them so I thought we would take a punt and send one of the colts to the second session of the Easter Sale,” he said.

The weekend prior to the sale, leading performer for his sire Swift Alliance (Aus) ( Don Eduardo) was an impressive winner of the Group Three Sebring Stakes (1100m).  “Whilst that win couldn’t have been timed any better, the colt had already been well inspected by all of the right people on the sale ground,” said Shannon Taylor, Marketing and Operations Manager for Haunui Farm.  “A number of people had inspected the colt two or three times so we knew there was some solid interest in him, it was just a matter to what level,” she said.

With solid competition on the colt from the outset, he was finally knocked down to the bid of John Hawkes for the princely sum of A$160,000.  “When you convert that to New Zealand dollars, to say it is a fantastic result is an understatement,” says Mark.  “This colt was bred off a $10,000 service fee!”

Another significant result in the Haunui Farm draft for the Easter Sale came when Lot 369, the half brother to Group One Rosehill Guineas-winner Zabrasive (NZ) (Zabeel) fetched $300,000 to the bid of Danny O’Brien.  “Coming across to the sale we thought the colt would make around the $150,000,” said Mark.  “John O’Shea had been saying for some time that Zabrasive was his horse for the Derby but the timing of winning the Guineas couldn’t have been better,” said Mark.

Haunui’s first lot through the ring, a filly by Champion Sire Pins (Aus) (Snippets) was sold to the bid of Demi O’Byrne for $140,000.  “She was an outstanding filly on the move, she’s the first horse we have sold to Demi,” said Mark.  “Colm Santry told us the filly would go to the stable of David Hayes so she is going to get every opportunity,” he said.

Early on the final day of the sale, Haunui sold Lot 411, a colt by Commands (Aus) (Danehill), he was purchased by Steve Brem for $120,000.

Haunui Farm sold four yearlings for a total of A$720,000 with an average of A$180,000.

Golden Slipper day at Rosehill yesterday provided a great result for Haunui Farm stallion Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) with four-year-old entire Swift Alliance (Aus) (Don Eduardo) proving too strong for his opposition in the last event on the card, the Group Three Sebring Stakes (1100m).

Already a three-time stakes winner, including the Group Three Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes over the straight six at Flemington, Swift Alliance was quickly out of the barriers and took a handy position for jockey Nash Rawiller.  Always travelling sweetly, Swift Alliance hit the lead a furlong from home and never looked in doubt of winning crossing the line a comfortable half length in front.

“He’s a great little horse,” said Andrew Baddock of Gooree Park Stud.  “He’s a stable favourite at Gai’s with all of the staff and he has done a great job on the racetrack,” he said.  “He’s done a great job for Don Eduardo too and because of his brilliant speed, always has a few people scratching their heads,” says Andrew.

The result couldn’t be more timely for Haunui Farm who will offer a colt by Don Eduardo at the upcoming Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.  “With the success that Swift Alliance and Moti had in Australia earlier in the season we thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring a Don Eduardo colt over,” said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  “He’s a good looking colt, nearly black, and he is a very good mover,” he said.  “He has taken the eye of a few buyers since he’s been on the sale ground and I’m sure a few more will be looking a little more seriously at him after yesterday’s result,” he said.

The colt, out of Frilly Filly (NZ) (Dream Well) will sell as Lot 552 and will fall under the hammer as part of the second session of the sale on Thursday afternoon.

The Australian winners keep rolling for Haunui Farm stallion Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) with the Tony Noonan-trained Zevada (NZ) (Don Eduardo) adding his name to the ever growing list.

Haunui Farm graduate Zabrasive (NZ) (Zabeel) proved trainer John O’Shea’s prediction right yesterday when taking out the Group One Darley Rosehill Guineas over 200m at Rosehill yesterday.

When visiting New Zealand to inspect yearlings in early December, John O’Shea was very bullish about the ability of Zabrasive telling breeder Don McLaren, the three-year-old would be his AJC Derby horse – he’s now the favourite going into the A$1.3 million event in two weeks time!

Lining up for just the third time this preparation after a barn storming run to finish fourth in the Group One Randwick Guineas (1600m) two weeks prior, Zabrasive jumped nicely from barrier one and was settled in the trail by jockey Nash Rawiller.

At the 800m mark race leader Gathering (Aus) (Tale Of The Cat) put three lengths on the field however that margin and any more was quickly gathered up coming to the turn with Zabrasive hitting the lead and then becoming locked in battle with the Bart Cummings-trained Rock Classic (Aus) (Fastnet Rock), the winner of the Group One Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington. 

Zabrasive showed all the fighting qualities of a true stayer when after being headed, he fought back under a hands and heels ride to win by a nose on the line.

Bred by Don and Rochelle McLaren, Zabrasive is the fourth foal of stakes winning mare Danasia (Aus) (Danehill) and is a full brother to stakes performer Anzali (NZ) (Zabeel).  A graduate of Haunui Farm’s 2008 Premier Draft, he was selected by John O’Shea, purchased for $95,000 and is now managed by Jason Abrahams’ Champion Thoroughbreds. 

“It was a great result and I’m thrilled for Don and Rochelle McLaren,” said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  “We have had a very long association with Don and Rochelle and I know what a great thrill this win is for them,” said Mark.  “John said when he was over in early December that this horse would be his horse for the Derby and he’d only won a maiden at that stage,” he said.  “We’re delighted for John and his team as well because the horse has proved his predictions to be true and is now heading to the AJC Derby as favourite!”

Haunui Farm will offer a half brother to Zabrasive at the William Inglis Sydney Easter Yearling Sale which gets underway in just over a week’s time.  Lot 369, he is a colt by Champion sire O’Reilly (NZ) (Last Tycoon) and go through the ring on the second day of the sale on the 7^th of April.  “We are pleased with the colt heading to Sydney and this is a pretty significant pedigree update,” said Mark.  “He would have been a well inspected colt anyway but I’d say he will definitely be a little busier on the sale ground now,” said Mark.

Further success for Haunui Farm graduates also came at Caulfield with three-year-old filly Perfect Hostess (NZ) (Dehere) winning in a tight finish over 1200m.  A graduate of Haunui Farm's 2008 Sydney Easter Draft, the filly was purchased by Dean Hawthorne for $370,000 and races in the colours of prominent owner Jonathan Munz.

Haunui Farm’s 2010 Inglis Sydney Easter Yearling Draft is now online.  Once again, a small but select draft of yearlings will be making the trip across the Tasman for the final major yearling sale of 2010. 

“We have six yearlings heading to Sydney early next week and I’m sure as always, all six of them will be well inspected on the sale ground,” says Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.

The sale runs from Tuesday 6^th April to Thursday 8^th April and Haunui will be off the mark early with Lot 29, a filly by Champion stallion Pins (Aus) (Snippets) out of Luna Scene (Aus) (Langfuhr).  “She’s a big, strong, upstanding filly and she is a great mover,” said Mark.  “Pins continues to leave top notch racehorses week in and week out and with her physique and pedigree, this filly will leave an impression on buyers,” he said. 

Lot 67 is the second of three fillies in the draft.  By Flying Spur (Aus) (Danehill) she is from the family of Golden Slipper-winner and three-time Group One-winner Burst (Aus) (Marauding).  “We all know that Flying Spur can leave a filly of the highest order and being out of this family, this filly will have every opportunity to make her mark on the racetrack and also later down the track, as a broodmare,” said Mark. 

The first of three colts offered by Haunui at the sale will be Lot 369, out of the stakes winning mare Danasia (Aus) (Danehill).  By Champion sire O’Reilly (NZ) (Last Tycoon), he is a half brother to the exciting three-year-old Zabrasive (NZ) (Zabeel) who lines up in the Group One Rosehill Guineas (2000m) this coming weekend.  Tagged as an AJC Derby contender by his trainer John O’Shea way back in early December, Zabrasive won his first start impressively this preparation and took a giant leap in class when lining up in the Group One Randwick Guineas (1600m) two weeks ago featuring in a photo finish for third.  Missing his first stakes placing by the narrowest of margins, a strong showing in this weekend’s race will see him take his place in the Derby field and will undoubtedly add to the popularity of his half brother on the sale ground. 

A colt to catch the eye is Lot 411 out of the imported stakes performer Exotic Stranger (USA) (Williamstown).  By Commands (Aus) (Danehill) this colt has everything – looks, physique and temperament.  “He is a colt that has cruised through the preparation just taking everything in his stride,” says Mark.  “He has an interesting, international pedigree which features the likes of Tale Of The Cat and Johannesburg and he is the style of horse that a lot of buyers will like,” said Mark.

Two-time Champion Sire of Australia Encosta De Lago (Aus) (Fairy King) is represented in the Haunui draft by Lot 476, the first foal out of Hurricane Mist (Ire) (Spinning World).  “This filly has size and scope and as a daughter of Encosta with some pedigree behind her, she like the other two fillies in our draft, holds some very nice residual value,” said Mark.

Rounding out Haunui’s draft is Lot 552, a colt by resident stallion Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) who will sell in the second session of the sale which takes place on the Thursday afternoon.  “Don Eduardo has enjoyed some great success in Australia with the likes of Divine Rebel , Swift Alliance and Moti and we thought a nice, Don Eduardo colt would sell well over there,” said Mark.  “This colt is almost black, he is a strong, impressive type and will be a horse that will grab people’s eye,” he said.

Haunui’s yearlings travel to Sydney on Monday, 29^th March and will be available for inspection from Tuesday 30^th March.  For more information, please feel free to contact Mark Chitty – 021 663 995 – or Shannon Taylor – 0212 855 513.