As the New Zealand Premier Yearling Sale at Christchurch wound down yesterday, a lot of the public present stuck around.
Even though it was quite uncomfortable in the steel shed in the 30 degree heat, the word was well and truly out that there would be plenty of fireworks on Lot 524, the second to last lot of the whole sale.
The yearling in question is a colt by Art Major named Honor And Glory who is the third foal from the former New Zealand record holder in Breath Of Life 1:56.9 ($109,036).
Her first foal Fight For Glory 1:52 ($651,212) needs no introduction and is a full sister to Honor And Glory while her second foal in G I Joe 1:59.3 was placed in Sires Stakes action this season.
True to the rumours, Honor And Glory was the centre of a lot of buying interest as soon as he entered the ring.
Big spending Australian couple Merv and Meg Butterworth were into the action early on as was leading trainer Robert Dunn.
Unlike a lot of the six figure lots who slowed down once they passed the $100,000 mark, Honor And Glory kept on going and it wasn't until $170,000 that Robert Dunn decided enough was enough and let the Butterworths win this battle.
Merv was typically understated in his comments after signing the sale docket.
" He has a wonderful pedigree and presence and I was pretty determined that I was going to buy him prior to the sale,"
" He will be joining the Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen team at Rolleston," Merv said.
Well known Southland breeder and the vendor of Honor And Glory, Dianne Cournane was still shaking a bit post sale.
" I was very nervous leading into the sale."
" I had put a big reserve on him ($150,000) and was just hoping he made that," Dianne said.
Honor And Glory has a lot to live up now with that sale tag around his neck but the outstanding success that Merv and Meg Butterworth have enjoyed with their expensive sales purchasers would suggest Honor And Glory has a good chance of repaying his purchase price.
Harnesslink Media