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Van Nistelrooy Yearlings Sell in Kentucky 31 Jul 2006
July signaled the start to the major yearling sales season in the USA with the Fasig Tipton July Select Yearling Sale held in Kentucky on the 17th and 18th of July.

With a catalogue of more than 400 yearlings, there were a number of first season sires represented, one of these being Van Nistelrooy (USA) (Storm Cat) who returns to Trelawney Stud in 2006 for his fourth southern hemisphere season.

As in New Zealand, Van Nistelrooy has been well received by Kentucky breeders and in his debut season at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in the USA, covered a large book of mares including 34 stakes class or stakes producing mares by the likes of Danzig, Alydar, Be My Guest, Red Ransom and Crafty Prospector.

Four colts and a filly from this resultant crop were sold through the ring at Fasig Tipton two weeks ago attaining an average of US$72,000 (NZ$$115,000). A top price of US$125,000 (NZ$200,000) was paid by Sabine Stable for a Van Nistelrooy colt out of the stakes placed mare Craftimae (USA) (Crafty Prospector) whilst a filly out of Parish Business (USA) (Phone Trick) consigned by Eaton Sales was knocked down for US$75,000 (NZ$120,000). Already named Ease and Comfort (USA), she is from the family of 13-time winner and multiple stakes winner Mr Sinatra (USA) (Mining).

“Van Nistelrooy has made an impact in the yearling sales ring in both hemispheres,” said Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud. “In the southern hemisphere we had some of the best judges in Australasia putting their hands up for his progeny – buyers such as Kieran Moore, John Hawkes, Paul Moroney and Ginger Tankard – and certainly in the north it is good to see some big owners such as Sabine Stable purchasing his progeny,” he said. “With the Keeneland Sale coming up in September, there is definitely a lot more to come,” said Brent.

Van Nistelrooy began stud duty in New Zealand in 2003 covering some of the best broodmares in the country including Caulfield and Melbourne Cup-winner Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm). This resultant crop entered Australasian yearling sales rings for the first time in 2006 with a top price of A$220,000 paid by Paul Moroney at the Sydney Easter Sale for a colt out of Group One winner and Champion Sprinter/Miler Coogee Walk (NZ) (Success Express).

Van Nistelrooy’s New Zealand yearling sales results netted him an average of just under $75,000 at the Premier Sale, headed by a colt from the Pencarrow draft out of Sadler’s Wells mare Dance My Dance (Ire) who fetched NZ$160,000 to the bid of David Ellis. The select sale saw Van Nistelrooy head the first season sires list with an average of just over $45,000 whilst at the Sydney Easter Sale, he averaged over A$186, 000 placing him fourth on the first season sires list there.

“We have been keeping tabs on some of Van Nistelrooy’s rising two-year-olds and the more we talk to people, the more we are looking forward to his first progeny hitting the track,” said Brent. “A major factor coming through is their temperaments with breakers and trainers commenting how well the Van Nistelrooy’s have handled everything and how they have taken to the stable environment – that’s a great asset to start out with,” he said. “He has left some precocious types so we are certainly looking forward to the new season with confidence and I’m sure we will see some early runners by the horse,” said Brent.

Van Nistelrooy arrived in New Zealand earlier this week and is currently in quarantine in preparation for his fourth southern hemisphere season. He stands at Trelawney Stud for a fee of $10,000 + GST.