The Standardbred Division of PGG Wrightson Ltd is categorically denying strong industry rumors that it has delayed the printing of the 2010 Yearling Sales Catalogue just to get pictures of Monkey King’s NZ Cup win on the cover!

Peter Lagan, who has over 30 years of Sales experience behind him, flatly refutes the claim that the company is “grandstanding” on the back of the Champ’s performances. “The King is definitely on the catalogue,” he said.

Bred by the Sharples family of Christchurch, Monkey King was purchased for $20,000 by Steven Reid for Robert Famularo’s Cavalla Bloodstock Ltd.“We have always tried to put our Cup Winners on the catalogue. Those people who are criticizing should look back and see we had Yulestar, Iraklis, Il Vicolo (twice), Elsu, Mainland Banner, Changeover and now Monkey King on the cover. The only Sales Series/NZ Cup Winner that has not been onthe front cover was Christian Cullen.

“Apart from a slight drop in numbers up north, 173 for 2010 compared to 194 this year, there is no change in the catalogue. Christchurch, in fact, offers exactly the same number – 537 yearlings – as it catalogued last year, and the book will definitely be available at the same time, around December 14.” 

Private bloodstock agent Paul Davies, who headed Wrightson Bloodstock Ltd for many years, commented that “they had only sold one Cup Winner – Lord Module”. “I take my hat off to PGG Wrightson and the Sale vendors,” Davies said.“Actually, I thought Stunin Cullen becoming the fifteenth Northern Derby winner in a row from the Sales was an absolutely outstanding achievement. “Thirteen ‘Sales’ Jewels winners in just three years is another incredible performance in my book that has gone pretty much unheralded.”Comment out of Australia has been one of astonishment 

“We don’t want the catalogue delayed. The tremendous effort of the Kiwi yearling sales horses of winning five Finals on Breeders’ Crown Super Sunday has us excited enough without delaying your book further.” Lagan was philosophical about the people who had complained, saying “to be honest, with all these great results for Sales graduates and their owners, and then the Sires’ Stakes Board announcement that the Sales Series stakes for the 2yo colts will be $300,000, the 3-year-old $250,000, both fillies’ races at or above $175,000 and the two and 3-year-old trots going over $80,000 – we are pretty happy about everything at the moment.”

 2010 Yearling Sales Sires (more than 10 lots)

Never one to let an opportunity to go by, Lagan was quick to point out that “we even have a few Sands A Flyins in the catalogue (sire of Monkey King)”. Footnote: After another brilliant weekend which included Bettor’s Strike in the Cranbourne Cup and The Monkey’s Miracle Mile, PGW may well be delaying the catalogue again.