Chaldean colt tops sale

Buyers in both Hemispheres have embraced the first progeny of our shuttle stallion Chaldean and that was further emphasised at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale.

Bhima’s Mike Fleming joined the fan club of Frankel’s multiple Group 1-winning son when he ventured across the Tasman to purchase the auction topper for $250,000.

The highest price paid at the Weanling Sale since 2022, Lot 3 was offered by Haunui Farm and is out of the Showcasing mare Novashow and the family of elite level winning siblings Bonanova, Telesto and Fraternity.

“I bought a couple here a few years ago and I’m always happy to come over for the right horse that’s forward and well-moving,” Fleming said.

“This colt’s a lovely horse, he was right at the top of my list. A few other people have come in with us on him, and we’ll get him back to New South Wales and see where he heads over there next year.”

The strong response to Chaldean’s first weanlings in the Southern Hemisphere has mirrored his debut at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale in England, where his first crop averaged the equivalent of $260,000 and sold for up to $580,000.

“This colt was only the second Chaldean that’s gone for auction in the Southern Hemisphere, and he had a very good filly that sold well (A$180,000) at Great Southern in Melbourne,” Fleming said.

“If the sire is putting them together like that, I think the Aussie buyers will be into them next year as well, so that had a bearing for us too.”

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