Churchill Filly Tops NZB Book 2 Opener

The highest priced lot of the opening session of 2021's NZB NYSS Book 2 exceeded the price of the Book 2 sale topper from Karaka 2020. The key yearling was purchased by Group 1-winning trainer Roger James in partnership with Robert Wellwood under their Kingsclere banner. James secured Lot 725, a Churchill filly out of Astrid (NZ) (Pins) for $200,000 from Alan Jones and Edwina Morris' Berkley Stud draft. The Christchurch-based consignors were ecstatic with the result. "Heading into the Sale we didn't really know what to expect. I was absolutely speechless, once she got to $150,000 I couldn't contain myself, I had tears rolling down my face!" Morris exclaimed. "It's been quite a long time to get her here. We bought the mare in foal to Churchill and this is her first foal so we are really delighted." Leading vendor by aggregate and average on Day 1 of Book 2 was Highline Thoroughbreds, selling four lots at an average of $122,500.Highline's Cam Heron commented on his top two offerings of the day, Lot 713 a Proisir colt out of All Can Party (All American) purchased by Kaipira Lodge for $180,000 and Lot 664, a Per Incanto colt out of Special Draw (NZ) (Falkirk) purchased by Mr G Cremendes for $155,000. The final day of selling at Book 2 of NZB's National Yearling Sales Series will commence today at 1PM (NZT), with Lot 751 to 918 going under the hammer.