But White Robe Lodge stud manager Wayne Stewart was blown away by the outcome of lot 1069 yesterday, as the bidding warmed up.
The Raise The Flag-Emerald Fire yearling filly sold for $147,500 to Rodger Finlay, of Christchurch, who races horses, including Ormond Road and Pamina, out of the Riccarton stables of Kevin and Pam Hughes.
The six-figure sum not only ensured the half-sister to Inferno was the top-priced filly over the three days of the select sale but also elevated the yearling to the top echelon in White Robe Lodge's history.
''That's the highest-priced filly we've ever sold from White Robe Lodge,'' Stewart said.
''It was a huge result. We knew she was going to sell well. I thought she was a $100,000 filly, but she just kept going.''
Kevin Hughes was doing the bidding for Finlay, and the battle began to heat up.
''I could have done without the stress there,'' Hughes said after signing the sale dockets.
''I thought I was going to bluff my way through it but I should have known better, as she had that many people wanting to look at her before the sale you knew there were going to be plenty after her in the ring.''
The filly's successful time in the ring added to a great two days for the White Robe Lodge team at the select sale after a Raise The Flag-Cherry Creek colt was knocked down earlier in the day to Auckland bloodstock agent Paul Willetts for $57,500.
Stewart said plenty of buyers of Raise The Flag's stock had returned, including Willetts, who bought a colt out of Star Of Mulwala last year for $21,000 for Te Awamutu trainer Richard Otto.
''They've come back and paid $57,500 and they've even booked a couple of mares in to him while they were here.''
White Robe Lodge's other entry in the select sale, a Raise The Flag-Turn The Page colt, sold for $55,000 on Thursday. All three exceeded Stewart's expectations.
''The average for the first day was $48,000, and I thought if all three of them could make that, that would be a great result for us. It's just massive, the feedback we're getting. People who have his progeny are coming back for more. I've seen nothing like it.''
- Additional reporting NZ Racing Desk
Sales of $75,000 or more on the third day of the second-tier select thoroughbred yearling sale at Karaka yesterday included.-
Ch c Thewayyouare-Alleyrun, Goodwood Stud, buyer S To, Hong Kong, $160,000. B c Zabeel-Al Shamekha, Brighthill Farm, John Foote Bloodstock, Queensland, $160,000. B c Coats Choice-Ashberg, Berkley Stud, Phill Cataldo Bloodstock, Wellington, $75,000. Ch c Pentire-Attraction, Kendayla Stud, John Foote Bloodstock, Queensland, $95,000. B c Shocking-Bewildered, Millfield Stud, Colin Little Racing, Victoria, $90,000.
B c Bel Esprit-Blue Quail, Te Runga Stud, Waikato Bloodstock, Hong Kong, $100,000. Br c Per Incanto-Cent From Heaven, Little Avondale Stud, Bruce Perry Bloodstock, Masterton, $95,000. B f Bernardini-Chaleur, Belvedere Farm, Patella Bloodstock, Singapore, $85,000. B c Shocking-Charmeel, Rich Hill Stud, SF Ritchie, Cambridge, $125,000. Br f Rip Van Winkle-Clown Princess, Windsor Park Stud, SF Ritchie, Cambridge, $95,000.
B c Makfi-Comic Song, Brighthill Farm, Cliff Brown Racing, Singapore, $80,000. B c Paco Boy-Copper Canyon, Henley Park, Michael Freedman/Michael Wallace B/S, Singapore, $100,000. Br c Shocking-Crystalthecowgirl, Beltana, Phill Cataldo Bloodstock, NSW, $97,500. B c Savabeel-Danbelle, Mapperley Stud, B2B Bloodstock, NSW, $120,000. Br f Rip Van Winkle-Dazzling Belle, Monovale Farm, Rogerson Bloodstock, Hamilton, $90,000.
B c Showcasing-Della Lobra, Little Avondale Stud, Wexford Stables, Matamata, $120,000. B f Shocking-Elehara, Rich Hill Stud, Lisa Latta Racing Stables., Awapuni, $85,000. B f Raise The Flag-Emerald Fire, White Robe Lodge, R Finlay, Christchurch, $147,500. B c Pins-Etoile Centieme, Waikato Stud, Michael Wallace B/S & Prima Park, Putaruru, $115,000. Br c Savabeel-Ever Clever, Waikato Stud, P So, Hong Kong, $125,000.
