Sword Of State makes his mark

The first crop of our young resident stallion Sword Of State received a warm welcome from the buying bench at Karaka.The Group 1-winning son of Snitzel had nine youngsters sell at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale for $347,000 at an average of $38,556 with a top price of $75,000.

Raptors Thoroughbreds secured the highest-priced offering, Lot 134, who was offered by Curraghmore with the colt a son of the multiple winner and group performer Bella’s Court.Raptors also went to $50,000 for Sword Of State’s son, Lot 104, who was presented by Highline Thoroughbreds and is out of a half-sister to the G1 Schweppes Oaks winer Princess Jenni.Our shuttle stallion Almanzor only had two weanlings go under the hammer and Merrick Staunton signed for Lot 126 from Haunui Farm’s draft for $100,000 on behalf of Hong Kong interests.

The colt is a half-brother to the dual winner and stakes placegetter Alchemia while Lyndhurst Farm went to $47,500 for Seaton Park’s Lot 14, whose dam is a half-sister to the G3 Metric Mile winner Gypsy Fair.Hello Youmzain also had two go under the hammer with GTS Bloodstock parting with $44,000 for Lot 81, the Hallmark Stud-offered grandson of the multiple Group 1 winner Katie Lee.