BIG FOUR SIRES DOMINATE SALES ENTRIES
A total of 322 combined entries by top four sires _ Bettor’s Delight, Mach Three, Christian Cullen and Art Major _ will provide the main nucleus for purchasers at the February 2011 Yearling Sales in Auckland and Christchurch.
The Australasian Classic Sale at Karaka (Saturday, February 19) has attracted 184 entries, up 11 from last year, and includes 20 from South Island vendors. 
PGG Wrightson representative Rachel Deegan (pictured right) has advised this will be the first year the Premier Sale in Christchurch (February 21-23) has been fully selected over the three days.
Day One and Two have both been capped at 175 entries. Day Three wil provide 90 lots, rounding off the catalogue of 440 horses for the Christchurch sale.
Leading trot sire Sundon will be represented by only 15 lots nationally next year.
The trotting numbers are boosted however by Monarchy with 23, along with Dream Vacation and Love You, who both have five lots, and the outstanding Muscles Yankee, with three in Auckland.
“While the economy and the racing industry as a whole in New Zealand is in a down cycle, we believe the outstanding sires available will be a huge stimulus to the market,” said Deegan.
The 2009/10 season saw the PGG Yearling Sales produce a record 76 Group wins, including 30 Group One victories.
“Given 48 of those Group wins were in Australia, 20 of them being Group One, there should be substantial interest from across the Tasman,” said Deegan.
Stallion totals, with more than 10 lots in the sales, are:
Christchurch (colt numbers in brackets)
Bettor’s Delight 60 (33), Mach Three 62 (36), Christian Cullen 50 (27), Art Major (27 (15), McArdle 22 (11), Jereme’s Jet (23 (10), Monarchy 14 (8), Falcon Seelster 14 (9), Grinfromeartoear 10 (5), Lis Mara 14 (7), Sundon 12 (6), Live Or Die (14) 10), Elsu 8 (5), Courage Under Fire 12 (10).
Karaka
Bettor’s Delgiht 36 (16), Mach Three 28 (21), Christian Cullen 16 (9), Art Major 25 (14), McArdle 16 (9), Jereme’s Jet 3, Monarchy 9 (4), Falcon Seelster 8 (6), Grinfromeartoear 6 (4), Lis Mara 2 (1), Sundon 3 (3), Elsu 5 (5).