Ho Ho Khan (NZ) was offered at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready To Run Sale in 2016 and was passed in after failing to meet his reserve price of NZ$65,000 and put into work with Cambridge trainer Tony Pike.
Racing as Mulanchi, he was a debut third at Taupo in the colours of stud owner Gerry Harvey before breaking his maiden in good style on a return trip there and two further placings garnered interest from overseas.
“There was nothing at all wrong with the horse, he was an average size, so we elected to race him when he didn’t sell,” Westbury General Manager Russell Warwick said.
“He showed good ability and ran third first-up before he won his next start.” – Russell Warwick.
“He showed good ability and ran third first-up before he won his next start. He then placed twice more, the last time behind Demonetization so the form around him was very good. The deal was done for clients of David Hall’s stable.”
Ho Ho Khan (NZ)
Emerging talent
Ho Ho Khan has won his last two starts for Hall, the latest on Sunday evening an impressive display over 1800 metres.
He is out of the Encosta de Lago mare China Choice, a half-sister to the G1 Australian Oaks winner Royal Descent (Redoute’s Choice).
“Gerry’s had a lot of success with Royal Descent and we sold a colt at the Gold Coast out of The Warrior Woman, she's from the family, to John O’Shea for $200,000.” – Russell Warwick.
“Gerry’s had a lot of success with Royal Descent and we sold a colt at the Gold Coast out of The Warrior Woman, she's from the family, to John O’Shea for $200,000.
“Ho Ho Khan’s success also accentuates the loss of Makfi.”
The Group 1 producing stallion shuttled to Westbury Stud for six seasons until his sale in 2016 to the Japan Bloodstock Breeders’ Association.
“Ho Ho Khan’s dam China Choice is still with us and she’s got a Swiss Ace filly we’re retaining and a Telperion colt at foot,” Warwick said.
They enjoyed a strong Magic Millions Sale earlier this month with their top lot a son of Zoustar, the first foal of Vanilla Ice Cream (More Than Ready {USA}) going to Flemington Bloodstock and Malua Racing for $280,000.
Strong draft for Karaka
Widden Stud’s champion first season sire is also represented in Westbury Stud’s Book 1 draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale, which opens at Karaka on Sunday.
“He’s one of our star colts and a very good type.” – Russell Warwick.
“He’s one of our star colts and a very good type,” Warwick said.
To be offered as Lot 502, he is out of Vedex (Exceed And Excel) and the family of the G1 Stradbroke H. winner Linton (Galileo {IRE}) and the G1 Avondale Gold Cup winner Sharvasti (NZ) (Montjeu {IRE}).
Lot 502: Zoustar x Vedex colt
“We’ve also got a really nice Hinchinbrook filly (Lot 428) and I think she is the most likely 2-year-old type we’ve produced since Ruud Awakening,” Warwick said.
“For a lot of trainers and syndicators she’s probably the best chance for the Karaka Million.” – Russell Warwick.
“For a lot of trainers and syndicators she’s probably the best chance for the Karaka Million. This filly is right up there, she’s a cracker and really mature. She’ll turn a few heads.”
Lot 428: Hinchinbrook x Spirit of Joy
Further attention will be drawn to this daughter of the late Hinchinbrook, who sired the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup winner Beat The Clock.
“We’ve also got a lovely Pierro filly (Lot 41), a nice Vancouver colt (Lot 669) and combinations of Tavistocks and Savabeels and of course a top line by our own Reliable Man, Redwood, Swiss Ace and El Roca,” Warwick said.
Warwick further singled out Lot 495, a daughter of Exosphere, and Lot 30, a daughter of Rubick with G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude winner Perast (Snitzel) featuring on her pedigree page, for special mentions.
“The Exosphere is a lovely filly from the family of Perfectly Ready.” – Russell Warwick.
“The Exosphere is a lovely filly from the family of Perfectly Ready. We’ve also got a really nice Rubick filly so we’re lucky we’ve got a great Australian flavour to the draft,” he said.
“We take a lot of pride from the fact that we rear good and sound racehorses. That’s what we’re all about, and Ho Ho Khan is a prime example of that.
“He’s a horse that could have been bought for NZ$40,000 or so and now he’s one of the favourites for the Hong Kong Derby. We will have horses at all levels at Karaka.”
