Fraser Auret’s Makfi 3yo G3 winner Matchbreaker sold to Hong Kong
The three-year-old won two of his three starts, including a last-start success in the Group 3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) which sparked intense overseas interest that has now resulted in his big money move to Hong Kong.
“It was like a feeding frenzy, they all came calling,” trainer Fraser Auret said.
“We were inundated with interest and he’s off to Hong Kong for a very substantial amount of money.”
Matchbreaker was raced by Hawera accountant Gavin O’Dea, who co-bred the son of Makfi and has a younger sister out of the Carnegie mare Pineau.
“It’s sad to see him go, but Gavin’s only got a handful of horses and this sort of money is a game changer,” Auret said.
“You have to put it into perspective as a trainer and I was proud to have had the horse, he’s still untapped. I’m grateful to have won a Wellington Stakes with him.”
Matchbreaker finished runner-up on debut at Woodville in October and a maiden win preceded his Group victory at Otaki.
“He’s a beautiful horse and he did a fantastic job for the stable and I’m sure he’ll continue to go on with it,” Auret said.
The Marton horseman has also lost the services of his Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) winner Aide Memoire.
“She’s gone to Australia with the idea of an autumn campaign with Kris Lees,” Auret said.
“The guys are rolling the dice with her and fair enough, she’ll be going to stud in Australia in the spring.”
Aide Memoire won seven of her 21 starts and this season she also ran second in both the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) and the Group 3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
“She certainly doesn’t owe us anything, she’s been a mighty horse,” Auret said. “We had a wonderful time with the mare.”