Why Lincoln Farms had to buy lot 68 - his older brother Lincoln Lou is ready to rock

There’s a very good reason why people were texting asking for shares only seconds after Lincoln Farms bought a Downbytheseaside colt at Karaka today.

Lot 68 had barely left New Zealand Bloodstock’s arena when some of Lincoln Farms’ existing clients were putting in dibs with business manager Ian Middleton for the $62,500 colt.

Lot 68, a Downbytheseaside colt whose older brother Lincoln Lou is showing promise for Lincoln Farms.And it wasn’t just because its top scout Debbie Green described the colt as beautifully balanced and a great walker.

The real reason was a relation back home in a box at Lincoln Farms who is set to debut under the name Lincoln Lou at Cambridge on Friday night.

Lincoln Farms paid $40,000 for the Sweet Lou half-brother last year and the precocious little colt has been nothing but professional in his preparation, winning a trial and workout at Pukekohe and running a very close second in another trial at Alexandra Park.

“We love the little colt at home,” Green said. “We also raced his dam, Sea Of Gold and, while she won only two races she tried her heart out even though she was only little.

“I thought this guy was cheap at $62,500.”

While crammed with black type in his pedigree, it’s Sea Of Gold’s full brother (The) Gold Ace who stands out, the former prize fighter having won 22 races including six Group I features.

Lincoln Farms also had a lot of fun with Gold Ace’s brother (Lets) Strike The Gold who won 15 races here and in Australia.

Copy That’s relation cost $55,000.It was almost inevitable that Lincoln Farms’ owner John Street would outbid the opposition too for lot 91, an American Ideal colt who cost $55,000.

His dam Voluntad is a half sister to Lively Nights, the dam of Copy That who has won 33 races and more than $2 million from Lincoln Farms’ Pukekohe barn.

John and Lynne Street don’t own Copy That but they’re in on two of his relations now with his full brother last year going to the stable for $60,000. Named Sugar Ray Lincoln the two-year-old is showing plenty of promise.

Street had opposition from all corners of the auditorium for lot 115, a powerful Bettor’s Delight colt out of the Live Or Die mare Ca Cest Lamore.

Brisk bidding

After some brisk bidding, he was eventually knocked down to Lincoln Farms for $75,000, Street noting Live Or Die mares left tough racehorses.

The colt is a brother to the talented Serg Blanco who won five races here before being sold to Australia where he has added another eight wins.

Lot 115, a colt by Bettor’s Delight, cost $75,000.Ca Cest Lamore has also left Aramis, one of the fastest sons of Street’s former star pacer Sir Lincoln, who won three races here and another six in the United States.

The colt’s second dam, Les Payzen Star, a half sister to former champ Elsu, left New Zealand Oaks winner Copper Beach who, in turn, produced multiple Group I winner De Lovely.

Street closed his cheque book after three buys, declaring Lincoln Farms did not need any more yearlings given they bought eight weanlings last year, almost all of whom have now been broken in.

But business manager Ian Middleton made a couple of extra purchases, taking home two Woodlands Stud fillies who had been passed in.

He negotiated a deal of $25,000 for lot 25, a Bettor’s Delight filly out of High Society Gal, former Lincoln Farms’ pacer Chachingchaching in her pedigree, and $10,000 for lot 9, a Downbytheseaside filly out of Everlasting Grace.

The most famous of the good performers in her pedigree is All U Need Is Faith who notched 31 of his 38 wins in the States. It is also the family of Lincoln Farms’ former iron horse Make Way who won 15 races here and in Australia.

Debbie Green was chuffed to get lot 20, a cracking looking Bettor’s Delight colt, for only $30,000.Debbie Green was also chuffed to pay only $30,000 for lot 20, a Bettor’s Delight colt out of Galleons Supreme who was originally passed in.

He is the mares’ 10th foal and comes from a family full of high achievers.

The colt is a full brother to super filly Spanish Armada who won 14 of only 19 starts including six Group I races.

But for a less than perfect walk, Green believed the colt would have made $100,000 in the ring.

Sale figures down

The sale figures were down on last year, the total of $4,338,000 well adrift of last year’s $5,116,000.

The average price of $52,265 was also down on last year’s $60,905.

Though 32% of yearlings were passed in New Zealand Bloodstock Director Of Operations James Jennings said the 68% clearance was in line with last year’s figure.

“It was disappointing to see a 25% decrease in domestic spend today and a slight downturn across the key statistics.

“However our international buying bench made their presence felt and it was very heartening to see the Australian spend up 30%.

“We had the buying bench here, but they certainly knew what they wanted and that showed in the middle market.”

The sale now moves to Christchurch with selling from 11am on Tuesday and Wednesday.