Sale of Lord Manhattan ‘almost finalised’

Press, 26 February 1983, Page 22

Sale of Lord Manhattan ‘almost finalised’

PA Wellington The top three-year-old Lord Manhattan has been scratched for tonight’s $5300 AGC Finance Stakes at Hutt Park because of negotiations for his sale to Australian buyers. Speaking on Thursday night from Edendale. near Invercargill, the colt’s owner. Mr Bud Baynes, said that negotiations for the sale were "almost finalised for a sum a little less than six figures." The deal is being arranged by an Auckland bloodstock agent and Mr Baynes said he believed the prospective buyers are two businessmen from Perth and Adelaide.

Mr Baynes presumed Lord Manhattan's future racing would be in Australia and he was unlikely to race again in New Zealand. Lord Manhattan has already passed veterinary tests for the sale, but Mr Baynes said that the deal had not been completed because one of the buyers is away in Hong Kong, and the agent is still awaiting his confirmation. As a two-year-old last season. Lord Manhattan was one of the best. With earnings of $33,705 he missed by only a few hundred dollars from becoming the leading two-year-old stakes earner. He was edged out by Lyndon Robert.

A minor leg problem had hindered the horse’s progress this season, but he bounced back to top form at Hutt Park last Tuesday night, when comfortably beating Supreme Ruler in the $5300 Lion Breweries Three-Year-Old Stakes. In spite of the horse’s ability. Mr Baynes said he had not previously received any offers for Lord Manhattan. • “Most people know I do not sell mv good horses ... but I could not refuse this offer," he said. Mr Baynes is best known as the owner of the champion pacer of a few seasons back. Young Quinn. He recalled receiving numerous

huge offers for Young Quinn, but would not part with him as he had bred the horse and he became “a member of the family.” However. Mr Baynes did not breed Lord Manhattan. He was purchased al the National Yearling Sales in Christchurch for just $lOOO. "I remember standing next to the breeder when he came into the sale ring. She said. 'You buy this horse. Mr Baynes, and he’ll be all right’.” By Holy Hal from Bonnie Dawn, Lord Manhattan was bred by Mrs Daphne Washbourne, of Leeston. near Christchurch.