Valachi Downs’ annual broodmare reduction sale is now live on Gavelhouse Plus with 30 entries including empty mares, in-foal mares and mares with foals at foot.

Following last year’s successful approach, all lots are unreserved with bidding running through until 7pm (NZT) on Wednesday 4 May.

“We’ve continued to work to Kevin Hickman’s ethos of very carefully mapping out the stud’s matings to ensure physical compatibility while pedigree design also plays a key role,” Valachi Downs General Manager Gareth Downey said.

“There’s plenty of opportunity for buyers in this catalogue and no doubt some high quality horses of the future will come from this sale.”

Some of the highlight Lots include:

• Atomic Kitten – a winner over 1400m and 1600m, she is offered in foal to hot young sire Turn Me Loose and is by Makfi who is building an exceptional reputation as a broodmare sire.
• Harmonize – a winner over 1400m by the outstanding Fastnet Rock and from a daughter of champion sire and broodmare sire Zabeel. She is a half to two-time Group One winner Sarrera and is offered in foal to Vespa who currently sits at a creditable 6.6 percent stakes winners to runners.
• Miss Pacific – an imported mare who placed over a mile on three occasions as a three-year-old, she has been well-mated to date with foals by U S Navy Flag and Savabeel on the ground. By Dansili son Bated Breath, she is from a dual Group One placed Gone West mare and is offered in foal to exciting young sire Vadamos.
• Rosa Stellata – a Zabeel mare and daughter of Gr.1 Coolmore Classic winner and million-dollar earner Camino Rose, Rosa Stellata is the dam of Gr.3 MVRC Tesio Stakes winner Lubiton and is offered with a quality colt by promising young sire U S Navy Flag at foot.

A quality roster of broodmare sires is represented with plenty of big international names among them, including Bated Breath, Bernardini, Cape Cross, Danehill Dancer, Fastnet Rock, Gallant Guru, Hawk Wing, High Chaparral, Lawman, Lope de Vega, Makfi, Nathaniel, Oasis Dream, Redoute’s Choice, Rip Van Winkle, Showcasing, Starspangledbanner, Vespa, Volksraad, War Decree, Zabeel and Zed.

Of the in-foal mares, covering sires include Contributer, Redwood, Reliable Man, Savile Row, Telperion, Time Test, Turn Me Loose, Vadamos and Vespa; while there are foals at foot by Almanzor, Belardo, Contributer, Reliable Man, Ten Sovereigns, U S Navy Flag, Vadamos, Vespa and War Decree.

Inspections are welcome by appointment at the Matamata nursery and can be arranged by contacting Nicole Brown on 027 292 9296 or Gareth Downey 027 205 6687