by Jonny Turner
Excitement built at Kentuckiana Lodge during what may have looked like a quiet weekend.
Team Dalgety didn’t have any runners at the recent two-day carnival at Nelson, which gave Cran a rare opportunity.
With the extensive preparations well underway, Kentuckiana Lodge has now officially switched into sales mode.
“I don’t know how else to sum it up other than to say I just love sales time,” Cran said.
“There’s an air of excitement about seeing a new crop of young horses coming through.”
“It starts off with a deep study of the catalogue and then seeing if those good-looking pedigrees are matched by the horses themselves.”
“There is a real art to it, and it is challenging, which is why so many of us look forward to it each year.”
“There is no thrill like it when you can select and buy a young horse and take them right through to win a good race.”
With their heads buried in the sales catalogue when they have had spare moments over summer, the time has come for the Dalgetys to check out this year’s young stock in the flesh.
The team will be on this year’s yearling sales tour leading up to the sales, plus they will be doing plenty of their own inspections.
“We have shot out to a couple of the local farms here in Canterbury to get a jump-start on looking at the yearlings.”
“We have seen a few we have liked the look of, so the sales book is already full of all kinds of marks and squiggles.”
“Sometimes the ones you love on the page you love in the flesh, and sometimes it is the complete opposite.”
“You never quite know until you get up close and personal with them.”
“There is no magical formula, you just have to call on what has worked for you over the years.”
“I think the key is putting the time in and going over each one with a fine-tooth comb.”
“Then when the bidding starts, you can be quite confident in which horse you want to go after.”
Kentuckiana Lodge has brought home 11 yearlings at the past two National Yearling Sales in Auckland and Christchurch.
If that number is to change, it is likely to only go up in 2026.
“We feel the game is in a good place, there are very good opportunities for horses across the board," Cran said.
“Naturally, we would like to be bringing home young ones to target the top-tier races, which are very healthy at the moment.”
“There is always commentary about what can be improved or done differently, but I think from an objective standpoint you can’t be critical of the racing opportunities right now.”
If you’d like to join Cran & Chrissie Dalgety’s incredible ride of yearling sales success, get in touch with them ahead of the National Yearling Sales.
Have a conversation about your options and preferences and find the best way to join in on the fun and excitement of racing a horse with Kentuckiana Lodge.
Call Cran (027-436-0667) or Chrissie (027-278-9466), or email [email protected].
Alternatively, click below;
"REGISTER YOUR INTEREST"
