A bay colt by Danehill out of the stakes-producing Darshaan mare, Caraniya (Ire), fetched a record price of HK$4.5 million at Friday evening's Piaget Hong Hong International Sale 2001. The sale was conducted before a black-tie gathering at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Thirty-eight juvenile colts and geldings were sold for record gross receipts of HK$56,350,000, a 14.8% increase over the previous record gross of HK$49,100,000, which was set last year.

This year's average price, HK$1,482,895, was down 30.5% from last year's average of HK$2,134,783. However, whereas 23 horses were sold at the 2000 'Piaget HK vendue, 38 were sold this year, making for a catalog that was 65.2% larger in 2001.

"I am absolutely thrilled with this year's results," said Simon Cooper, International Racing Manager and sales manager for the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

"The quality control system the HKJC has established for selecting horses for this sale has proven itself once again," Cooper said. "Buyers are confident that they are bidding for very worthy products. This has been an exceptionally satisfying evening for me."

Horses for the sale were obtained in Europe, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. For the third consecutive year, the sale was conducted by Keeneland Associated, Inc. of Lexington, Kentucky, the world's most prominent thoroughbred auction house.

"Bidding was aggressive from first hip number offered to the end," said Geoffrey Russell, Keeneland's director of sales. "The buyers in Hong Kong have keen eyes for good horses. Participation was excellent. We're extremely happy about how well this year's sales horses were received."

The sale topper, hip number 29, broke the old standard of HK$3.8 million, which was set by another son of Danehill, a gelding subsequently named Green Century, who was catalogued in last year's sale.

Green Century went on to accumulate the highest purse earnings of any 2000 Piaget HK sale graduate who raced in Hong Kong this year. His owner, Lee Wing Hon, thus received a bonus check of HK$1 million last night, along with a trophy and Piaget watch.

This year's record-breaking sale topper was purchased by a partnership consisting of Jacky Chan Cheung Ming and Mr. and Mrs. Sammy Chan Cheong Yuk. The colt will be conditioned by Francis Lui, who is currently the second leading trainer in Hong Kong. Lui had strongly recommended the colt's purchase.

Hip number 18, a bay gelding by Danehill out of the Irish River (Fr) mare, Spell On You, brought a price of HK$3.8 million Friday evening, equaling Green Century's previous record bid.

Possessed of the same pedigree cross as Green Century, hip number 18 was purchased by Edmond Yue Kwok Yin. Still another Danehill gelding, this one out of the Darshaan mare, Darlya, brought the third highest price of the 2001 sale, HK$2.5 million.

All told, nine sons of Danehill were sold Friday evening. They fetched a gross of HK$19.5 million, which worked out to an average price of $2,127,778. Without question, Danehill, who does stud service in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, is the most popular stallion at the Piaget HK vendues.

But progeny of other stallions also lured impressive closing bids this year. An Entrepreneur gelding, the first foal out of the Be My Chief mare, Trading Aces, brought HK$2 million; as did a Dynaformer gelding out of the Irish River mare, Irish Starlet; and a Polish Precedent gelding out of the Group 1 producing Mill Reef mare, Mill Line (GB).

"There were some very nice individuals sold in Hong Kong this evening," said Tom Goff of England's internationally prominent Blandford Bloodstock Agency. "This year's Piaget HK sale held up very well, in common with many of the top European sales this autumn."

"Having a sale such as this is a risk in today's fluctuating economy," concluded Winfried Engelbrecht-Breges, the HKJC's Executive Director, Racing. "But the results continue to be splendid. Our owners are seeking horses of quality, and the HKJC is determined to make them available - - all to the benefit of our sport in Hong Kong."

Results of the Piaget Hong Hong International Sale 2001