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Because of a storied background in the New Zealand’s bloodstock industry, Waikato’s Stud’s business manager, Mike Rennie enjoys a level of experience which far belies his years. The integral member of the Waikato team speaks with The Impact about the farm’s draft highlights, the impact of the pandemic on the industry and much more.
Q: If you had to pick, who would you choose as the highlights of Waikato Stud’s stellar draft?
A: I believe the highlight’s of Waikato Stud’s draft is, Lot 343 - Savabeel/Dating colt, Lot 568 - Savabeel/Mystery Lake colt, Lot 382 - Tivaci/Exactly Like you filly, Lot 17 - Almanzor/Genius colt and Lot 437 - Savabeel/Heyday filly.
Q: Please tell us more about Waikato’s top-performers from this sale? What makes this sale special?
A: The two most recent that come to mind are Probabeel and Aegon. Probabeel (Savabeel) was bought by David Ellis for NZ$380,000. She won the Gr. 1 Epsom Handicap and the Gr. 1 Surround Stakes in Australia, also the 2YO and 3YO editions of the NZ$1mil Karaka Million series. Aegon won the Gr. 1 Two Thousand Guineas after taking out the Gr. 2 Hawkes Bay Guineas like his father Sacred Falls. He is unbeaten in his three runs to date. He was a NZ$150,000 purchase by Andy Forsman. People come to Karaka to buy the quintessential kiwi bred horse. We feel we epitomise this with a product that is proven in Australia.
Q: What is Waikato’s yearling preparation process?
A: Our sales prep basically begins on the first of November. We have a strong focus on producing high quality sound athletes on the racetrack so with this in mind we have a natural approach to the prep with an emphasise on not overdoing them leading into the sale.
Q: Will Waikato be looking to purchase any horses themselves at the sale?
A: We always have an eye out for a nice filly with a good family behind her so it would not be a surprise if we picked one up.
Q: Please tell us about Waikato’s sales plans beyond the Karaka 2021?
A: Although, due to the travel restrictions, the team are unlikely to attend any sales outside New Zealand. We have horses selling at all the major Australian yearling sales so if the quarantine restrictions ease up, we will have a presence at each.
Q: What is special about Waikato’s draft in 2021?
A: In an Australasian first, Waikato Stud is offering buyers at Karaka 2021 the ultimate pre-sale insight by disclosing the ‘on-the-market’ price for each yearling on the Kick Sales Platform. This is the first year since 1928 – the year Phar Lap was sold – that only a domestic buying bench will be onsite for New Zealand’s largest yearling sale. In these circumstances, we have taken on the challenge of moving swiftly and boldly to set a higher standard of transparency than any vendor in the past, working closely with the Kick Sales Platform system to ensure horse information can be easily accessed in one place.
Q: Which sires do you expect to see do well in the 2021 edition of the Karaka Yearling Sale?
A: Savabeel has been as potent as ever this season producing 11 individual stakes winners as a write this (30th December). Whilst there is not a lot of Ocean Parks on offer this year, we can expect them to sell well. Sacred Falls has gained a lot of commercial interest with his racetrack success of late and the word on the Tivaci’s is very strong. All going well each sire should have its rightful place in the market.
Q: Given the resilience showed by the industry in this very difficult year, could you tell us what trends you are expecting in ownership groups during 2021?
A: Ironically ownership seems to be going up if anything, perhaps because people can’t spend their disposable income on overseas trips etc. As always, we need to be in tune with the activity of the market in setting our reserves and aligning our expectations.
Q: Who is your favourite racehorse and why?
A: Out Of the Park (Ocean Park). She won the Gr 3 Valachi Downs South Island Breeders Stakes. She is the first Stakes winner I’ve had as an owner with good mates Jack Stewart and Rob Dennis (trainer).
Q: What would you say has been your most successful personal and professional achievement this year?
A: I got engaged to Jodie which is certainly the highlight. Buying Out Of The Park with Jack (Stewart) for NZ$14,000 and winning four races including a Group 3 was up there also.