O’Sullivan hits sales again for Knights

Hall of Fame former trainer Dave O'Sullivan yesterday made a rare appearance on the Karaka yearling sales buyers' list when he secured a Darci Brahma filly on behalf of high-profile owners Sir Michael Fay and Sir Patrick Hogan.

O'Sullivan, father of top Hong Kong trainer Paul O'Sullivan and Hall of Famer jockey Lance O'Sullivan, went to $160,000 to buy the filly out of Pompeii Court mare There's No Doubt from the draft of Hamilton's Curraghmore Stud.

The filly is a half-sister to tomorrow's Gr III Waikato Guineas contender No Fear.

O'Sullivan quit training in 1998 with a then record of 11 New Zealand trainers' premierships and a then record of 1877 New Zealand wins, though both records have since been eclipsed by Hamilton trainer Graeme Rogerson.

''I had one to buy,'' said O'Sullivan, who was spotted in Sir Michael's company at Karaka earlier this week.

''I bought a Scaredee Cat filly last year and that was the first horse I'd bought for a fair while before that. I was asked to buy a filly for Michael Fay and Patrick - they go in together and this filly was for them.''

The filly O'Sullivan bought for the knighted pair last year was Irish Jewel, who won on debut at Avondale in December before finishing fifth in last Sunday's $1 million Karaka Million (1200m) at Ellerslie as one of the favourites.

''This filly looks more like an autumn two-year-old to me but she'll be entered for the Karaka Million because you never know.

''I was more than happy with what I bought today. She's got a lovely action when she walks and she's a good looking filly without being showy.

''She's a half-sister to No Fear and if he runs in the money on Saturday, there's more black-print in the family. Another sister has won two so there's a fair bit going for her.''

Yesterday's top lot was an Elusive Quality colt out of Blue Quail, knocked down to Horowhenua bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo for $200,000 on behalf of a Victorian owner.

Cataldo said he was uncertain whether the colt would stay in New Zealand or not but he was entered yesterday for the Karaka Million.
''He was a beautiful colt. He had the best presence of any horse and a great temperament. Now let's hope he can run,'' Cataldo said.

The yearling sale series continued to run hot with the average after two days of the select sale at $52,061, up from $37,366, while the median was $40,000, up from $30,000 last year.

- © Fairfax NZ News