Ex-pat Kiwi Jamie Richards made his presence felt early in the piece on Day One at Karaka as he and Bloodstock Agent Andrew Williams went to $725,000 to purchase Lot 55, a Zoustar colt from the I Am Invincible mare Evalina consigned from the Elsdon Park draft.

Richards, who is back in New Zealand for the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale with fiancé Danielle and new baby Spencer, and Williams had already outlaid $275,000 for a Fastnet Rock colt (Lot 9) offered by Woburn Farm and had to fight off some spirited competition to secure the striking Zoustar youngster.

He is the first foal of Listed Levin Stakes (1200m) winner Evalina, who also finished third behind Julius and Winter Bride in the 2020 Gr.1 Railway (1200m) and hails from a family that includes Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) winner Singing The Blues and Gr.1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) winner Referral.

Richards was attracted by the physical presence of the colt who is likely to stay in New Zealand for his early education and racing.

“It’s great to be back home in New Zealand and this colt looks like a real runner, by a champion sire and from a stakes winning mare who is also by a champion sire (I Am Invincible),” he said.

“Just a real running type of horse who we have bought for some good Hong Kong clients.

“We’re not 100 percent sure what we will do with him but it is likely he will stay here and hopefully be aimed towards the Karaka Million (2YO, 1200m) although at some stage he will make his way up to Hong Kong.

“He was the one we were keen to be really strong on although we had to see off the boss and thankfully, we were able to get it done.”

Richards was referring to his former mentor, Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis, who was the underbidder on the colt.

Richards learnt his craft at Te Akau Racing and headed the National Trainers’ Premiership on three separate occasions for the Matamata operation and once in partnership with Stephen Autridge before making his way to train in Hong Kong in 2022.

He has made a successful fist of his time so far in Hong Kong with 35 winners in his first season and is currently sitting 12th on the Trainers’ Premiership with 16 wins for the 2023/2024 season.

“We are ticking along okay (in Hong Kong) as we try and build up a bit of momentum,” Richards said.

“We have a stable full of young horses and it is a very challenging environment but very rewarding.

“It is also good to come home and see the confidence that is building in New Zealand racing as sitting back and watching what is going on from Hong Kong, it appears to be very exciting.

“It is great to see the buzz as it is good for the Industry.”

Richards advised the Zoustar colt would go to his father Paul’s stable for his early education before any further plans for his future were made.