By Howard Dobson
It was the end of an era at the Karaka Yearling Sales today when lot 102 went under the hammer.
A colt 21 years in the making, the last horse sired by the great Zabeel was up for auction. But this wasn't going to be a million-dollar sale, rather a million-dollar moment.
"Somewhere between $140,000 to $180,000, I think he deserves to make that," says Cambridge stud breeder Sir Patrick Hogan.
As the sentimental sale of the day was making its way to centre stage, Sir Patrick had just one wish.
"I'm going to lead him in, but I hope I can lead him out as well."
But he had to wait for his wish. Just moments before the bidding, the half-brother of Easter handicap winner Timekeeper actually required extra time, and it wasn't just the colt that needed composing.
"I got a little stirred up before," says Sir Patrick. "A couple of people came up to me and said, 'How are you feeling?' I thought I've got to get out of here because this is going to get to me, so I did."
Sir Patrick, now 74, wasn't sure he'd be strong enough physically to hold on.
"I did a bit of a walk up and down before I got hold of him. I thought, 'What's going to happen here?' I'd be devastated if I had to say I can't do it."
After an anxious seven-minute wait, next door the packed Karaka Gallery finally witnessed the national yearling sales leading vendor for 31 consecutive years do it one more time.
The opening bid was a modest $50,000, but the final bid was pleasing and received in total silence – $160,000.
But no sooner had the colt left the arena Sir Patrick received a standing ovation.
So after 21 years, Zabeel's royal legacy was over, from a Melbourne Cup win in 1998 to a record price at the 2000 national sales – $3.6 million.
Zabeel, now 29, with almost $190 million in worldwide progeny earnings, is still grazing at Cambridge Stud.
"I hope [Zabeel] lives forever, because I said I'll never leave the farm while he's alive, so I hope he lives forever."
3 News
source: newshub archive
