$430,000 for Reliable Man Colt

Media Release - Thursday Nov 23
The rising popularity of Westbury Stud stallion Reliable Man (IRE) was never more in evidence than when Lot 379 hit the auction ring on day two of the NZB Ready To Run sale.

The stylish grey colt, offered through the Phoenix Park draft, is out of well performed Faltaat mare Stella Doro and features multiple group performers Aquidity, The Sportsman and Ombre Rose in his extended pedigree.

With progeny such as Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) runner-up Sully flying the flag for Reliable Man in the lucrative Australian market it was no surprise that the bidding quickly escalated as multiple international interests vied to secure the colt.

When the action was completed it was Hong Kong's Upper Bloodstock that had won the day with their final offer of $430,000.

"He was a stunning colt that we just couldn't fault," said agency principal Ross Lao.

"His breeze up was very attractive and when we saw him in the flesh he more than matched what we had seen on the video.

"He looks a real staying type, very well proportioned with a lovely action and excellent conformation."

Lao advised the colt would now spend some time in the spelling paddock before being tried in New Zealand ahead of a decision on his racing future.

"We will see how much progress he makes during his time in the paddock and initial preparation before we decide where he will be trained," he said.

"Given we believe he will furnish into a stayer it could well be he does his early racing in New Zealand with the option to then send him to either Australia or Hong Kong depending on where he will be best suited."

The colt was the third purchase for Upper Bloodstock during the sale having secured a Husson colt for $120,000 on the first day while they also picked up an All American colt for $40,000 earlier on day two. – NZ Racing Desk



Advertisment
More Reading...
Remembering Sunline – The Queen of the Cox Plate Before Winx
From our vantage point in 2026, we can look back at modern Cox Plate history and marvel at how quickly the years are passing.
One to Watch – Mornington
A homebred for Seymour Bloodstock with an intriguing pedigree opened her account with a stylish win at Mornington on Tuesday.
Unraced First Season Sires Trial Report
It’s been a pretty steady start to spring in terms of 2YO races and we are still waiting to see a first season sire post a winner, but there has been action aplenty at the trials which would indicate the pre-Christmas period is set to ignite.
Remembering Northerly – The Greatest Caulfield Cup Winner This Century
It's Caulfield Cup week, and what better moment to revisit the life and times of one of the greatest - if not the greatest - Caulfield Cup winner of the modern era.
Darley Announce 2027 European Fees -Night of Thunder Soars to €450,000
It will be Dubawi central at Darley in 2027 with the legendary 24YO sire priced at £350,000, but the roster is topped by his champion son Night of Thunder at €450,000 and there are three more G1 winning sons or grand-sons of Dubawi also added to a power packed roster.
Haras d'Etreham Set Fee for Hotazhell
Triple Group I winner Hotazhell will begin his stallion career at Haras d'Etreham in France at a fee of €15,000 next year before then shuttling to Widden Stud in Australia.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 10
Here is the full list of 16 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Reliable Man Best Still to Come
The impressive Group I VRC Oaks (2500m) victory of three-year-old filly Miami Bound, who became the second Group One winner for sire Reliable Man, has been the highlight of a stunning ten-day period for the Westbury Stud-based stallion.
Frankel Heads Juddmonte Euro Roster at £350,000
Fresh from siring outstanding young stayer Point of Law (GB) to win the $10m Group I VRC Melbourne Cup, champion sire Frankel will again top the roster at Banstead Manor Stud for Juddmonte.
Oaks Winner Back to Best
Last season’s Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Sentimental Miss returned to her best with a quality staying performance to take out the Listed Steelform Roofing Group Wanganui Cup (2040m).