Jesse Duke Heads Flurry Of Sale Activity

[Chief Stipe]

Jesse Duke in action.

The usual post-Jewels scramble to buy New Zealand stock has been in full effect over the past ten days.

Headlining a number of sales is 3YO Emerald winner, Jesse Duke, who has been purchased by American-based former Kiwi trainer, Chris Ryder.

Victorian Co-owner Jean Feiss confirmed on Monday that she and husband Bill had sold their three-time Group 1 winner.

But he would continue to race for trainers Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen a little while longer, though.

“He’s been sold, and the deal finalised, but I believe he will go to Brisbane first,” Feiss told HRNZ.

The A$75,000 Queensland Derby at Albion Park on July 20 would be his first target for Ryder, part of a four-horse Queensland delegation by Purdon and Rasmussen, the others being Princess Tiffany, Speech Is Silver and the Feiss-owned Self Assured.

Both the third and fourth-placed horses in One Change’s 2YO Emerald were the subject of intense buyer interest and both have had ownership changes.

Zeuss Bromac, celebrated driver Zachary Butcher’s first runner as a trainer, has undergone an ownership restructuring after finishing third at just his second start.

Butcher and his fellow owners, including father, David, received offers from multiple Australian stables, including Perth-based trainers Gary Hall Snr and Greg and Skye Bond.

Ultimately, Melbourne-based part-owner Lynette Philpott agreed to buy out her fellow owners rather than see the horse sold elsewhere.

Butcher will get to train Zeuss Bromac in the interim, and will take the son of Bettor’s Delight to Melbourne for the Australasian Breeders Crown in August.

The Ideal Touch surprised many with a cheeky run up the passing lane for fourth in the 2YO Emerald, bringing great delight to his connections, including Roxburgh trainers, Geoff and Jude Knight.

Auckland agent Peter Blanchard was quick to pounce on behalf of Gary Hall Snr and the horse was vetted late last week.

The deal was expected to be finalised in the next 48 hours, according to Blanchard.

He also confirmed that Hall was the purchaser of promising Southland three-year-old Wildwest, who was a 12-length winner on debut at Gore back on May 11.

A pair of Canterbury three-year-old fillies are heading to America next week.

Shecandance, who finished mid-pack in the 3YO Diamond won by Belle Of Montana, will head to the New York stable of Jose Godinez after being purchased out of Robert Dunn’s barn.

And owner Katie Carville is understood to have sold the exciting Millwood Bonnie, who recently recorded impressive back-to-back wins for trainer Steve Dolan.

Perth trainer Michael Brennan flew in to Christchurch on Monday to trial open class pacer Forgotten Highway.

And he liked what he saw, confirming shortly afterwards that clients of his stable would be purchasing the gelding out of Mitchell Kerr’ stable, subject to a vet exam.

Burgeoning Auckland prospect, Big On Personality, was recently purchased out of John and John Dickie’s stable by American Richard Poillucci, the same man who races champion mare Shartin.

The three-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight had a brief stint in Canterbury with Cran Dalgety in an attempt to qualify for the Harness Jewels, but missed out and is now headed to his new home in North America.

Co-trainer Greg Hope confirmed over the weekend that Kingslayer, a four-race winner who placed at Ashburton last Sunday, has been sold to the Perth stable of Greg and Skye Bond.

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