Australian interest in the quality New Zealand horseflesh on offer during the New Zealand National Yearling Sale was high early on the first day of selling with many familiar names featuring on the results page.

Agents representing trainers such as Chris Waller, Danny O’Brien, Henry Dwyer and John O’Shea were all part of the early buying action, however, it was Tony Fung who headed the pack under his TFI banner as his on-site representative Kacy Fogden went to $425,000 to secure Lot 18, a Lonhro colt out of the Curraghmore draft.

The stylish brown colt is out of Gr.2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) winner Tiamo Grace and hails from an extended family that includes European stakes winners Common World and Speciale along with Gr.1 Myer Classic (1600m) winner I Am A Star.

Fogden, who was one of the later arrivals to Karaka this year, had been keen on the colt from the first time she inspected him.

“I actually got in quite late, but we had done our homework on him,” Fogden said.

“I think he probably deserved to make what he brought in the ring as he is obviously a nice colt.

“He is definitely an improving type and going in the right direction.

“We quite like the Lonhro colts and we had been back to see him three or four times.”

Fogden advised the colt was likely to stay in New Zealand to mature further before heading across the Tasman to join an Australian stable.

“We haven’t had the best of weather of late so he will most likely stay here in New Zealand for a little bit before we send him over (to Australia),” she said.

Fogden was also enjoying the current placement of the sale which had been moved to March from its normal late January date due to COVID restrictions.

“I quite like the sale at this time although I’m not sure how the vendors feel about it,” she said.

“I think it has helped the horses physically as they are a bit more forward and they are presenting beautifully.”

Fogden was back in action later in the morning outlaying $160,000 on behalf of Fung to secure an Ocean Park colt, Lot 41 from the Landsdowne Park draft.