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Van Nistelrooy Colt the Talk of Tattersalls 12 Oct 2006
The sole yearling by Van Nistelrooy (USA) (Storm Cat) entered in the Tattersalls October yearling sale fetched a price of 90,000 guineas yesterday. The equivalent of just over NZ$265,000, the colt was purchased by John Warren.

“I purchased the colt in the USA last year as a weanling and brought him over here to sell at this sale,” said Cathy Grassick, niece of Coolmore Ireland’s Manager Christie Grassick and perhaps privy to some inside information when it comes to this young stallion. “There was a lot of talk about him around the sale ground as he is very much like his sire Van Nistelrooy to look at,” she said. “As a type he impressed and I couldn’t be happier with the result,” said Cathy.

The colt’s dam, Miss Valedictorian (USA) (With Approval) was a six-time winner in the USA and was placed on a further 12 occasions. She is a half sister to six other winners including the stakes performer Brightwood (USA) (Dynaformer) and slightly further back in the pedigree you see the likes of VRC Derby-winner Helenus (Aus) (Helissio) and stakes winner Atomic Flash (Aus) (Geiger Counter).

A Group Two-winner and Group One-placed at two, Van Nistelrooy is currently serving his fourth season at Trelawney Stud in New Zealand. His first crop of yearlings in the southern hemisphere made an impact in the sales ring with a half dozen six-figure colts at Karaka and all horses sold at auction in Australia selling for over A$135,000 with a top price of A$220,000.

Of his first southern hemisphere crop which are now two-year-olds, Van Nistelrooy has already had a trials winner in the form of Bella Renza (NZ). “Van Nistelrooy has been represented at most of the major yearling sales around the world now,” said Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud. “At each one, he has had a number of stand outs but more importantly, it has been pleasing to see the people that have actually signed for the lots,” he said. “He’s taken the next step with having a trials winner, the reports we are receiving from trainers are very positive and it is just a matter of time before we start seeing the desired results on the track,” he said.

Van Nistelrooy stands for a fee of NZ$10,000 + GST.