A first-crop foal by Vinery sire Press Statement was one of the stars during Day 1 of the NZB Karaka May Sale on Monday.

The September colt was offered by Hawera vendor Dan Myers and was pin-hooked for $85,000 by Cambridge couple Nick Fairweather and Nicole Brown.  He is the second foal of Bearish (High Chaparral) who won three races around the Victorian provincials for trainer Jason Warren.

“He has an amazing temperament and I mean amazing,” Myers said.  “He handled everything brilliantly and has plenty of scope and potential.”

A member of the famous racing family from Taranaki, Myers was a successful trainer before changing tack into the breeding side of the business.  His draft topped the foal section at the 2017 Karaka May Sale and the Press Statement colt was one of 13 lots that change hands on Monday.

He purchased Bearish in foal to Press Statement at the 2017 Magic Millions National Sale for $35,000.  She is closely related to NZ Group 2 winners Waikiki (Te Aroha Breeders’ Stakes) and Puttanesca (Auckland Royal Stakes).

Her colt will return to Karaka for the 2019 NZB National Yearling Sale.  “We loved his walk and he’s a stylish colt with lots of room left for improvement,” Nick Fairweather said.  “He’s by a sire that Australian buyers saw first-hand and will have local and international admirers next year.”

Press Statement (Hinchinbrook) won the J J Atkins Stakes Gr.1 and Caulfield Guineas Gr.1 and was the only colt of his generation to win at the elite level as a 2yo and 3yo.  He has another 18 first-crop weanlings catalogued for Magic Millions National Sale starting on May 24.

Vinery stands Press Statement for a $16,500 (inc gst) service fee.