We approach the 2010 breeding season with an extremely positive attitude. Karaka 2010 was a cracker! This is testament to the resilience of the industry that we have successfully operated in for the past 35 years.

The global financial crisis surprisingly had very little effect on the well promoted New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sales. There was strong support from both local and international buyers, all attending with the intention of securing sound, strong, well bred New Zealand yearlings. These horses are proven not only to succeed in the sprint distance but also carry the conviction to train on.

The 2008/09 racing season was exceptional for Waikato Stud with six individual G1 winners of nine G1 races. All known Australasian records were broken and we were duly crowned ‘Breeder of the Year’ – our fourth such award in the last five years.

This season, we have produced 11 individual stakes winners of 14 stakes races, two at the highest level – the Kevin Gray trained Daffodil and David Fuller’s Metal Bender. We salute a broodmare band that has been crafted over many years to produce extremely competitive racehorses in elite company. Race results are our benchmark – the results again are outstanding.

Never has the competition been keener for the stock of Pins, especially from Australia.His top price of $650,000 was a great outcome for breeders Tim Bodle and Brent Taylor. His average of $154,194 for 49 lots sold, represents a sound investment and confirms his status as a sire of importance, not only for us, but our shareholders and supporting breeders.

Pins has a genuine star this season, the Hallmark Stud and Trevor Hurley bred Katie Lee, who epitomises the qualities we seek in a racehorse and for which Pins has become synonymous. Maurie MacLeod, who bred and raced Pins, was the successful breeder of Singapore star Waikato.

O’Reilly, the Centaine Award winner as the leading New Zealand sire by global earnings, continued to consolidate his reputation in the sales ring, with an average of $137,507 for 73 lots sold with a top price of $600,000. On the track, the Gary and Linda Hodel bred Fellowship made it big in Hong Kong while Shamrocker, proudly bred by Vern and Margaret Trillo, shone in Melbourne.

Cox Plate winner Savabeel has had four stakes winners to date, lead by the Lib Petagna and Max Brown bred Kudakulari (trained by Bart Cummings) and Melbourne dual Group winning filly My Emotion bred by Stuart Ramsey. His 35 individual winners confirms he is a sire of the future. We invite you to compare these results with other 2006 crops and you will appreciate and understand our excitement and confidence.
No Excuse Needed’s four stakes winners this season include once again our favourite, triple G1 winner Daffodil, and Danny O’Brien’s Flemington Group winner Take The Rap.

Fast‘N’Famous’ first crop of yearlings sold up to $200,000 and were purchased by leading trainers both in New Zealand and Australia. We eagerly await the careers of his progeny. After Scardee Cat’s progeny setting a record pace at Karaka 09, they again attracted good prices, selling in excess of $100,000.

We are very proud to introduce the latest inclusion to our stallion roster, Rios, the outstanding G2 winner and son of Champion sire Hussonet. Rios boasts an elite New Zealand female line that has produced champion racehorses Roman Emperor and Black Mamba.

Nothing happens by chance and in the 2010 season our focus on breeding the best racehorses resumes. We will continue to work closely with our clients, offering with confidence, access to our outstanding stallion roster. As always, we welcome you.

~ Mark Chittick