Bart Cummings has been honoured by the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame

The Karaka yearling sales in New Zealand kicked off on Monday but not before the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame honoured Australia’s legendary trainer Bart Cummings at a special ceremony.

Cummings was granted honorary membership of the organisation for his services in promoting the New Zealand thoroughbred industry. New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key made the presentation.

New Zealand bred horses have provided Cummings with 8 of his 12 Melbourne Cup victories.

Cummings said “I was quite surprised, It’s unusual to go to another country and get that kind of medal, but anyway, these things happen and what can I say? I appreciate it.”

“I’m always looking for a bargain in New Zealand,” Cummings said, “because I can’t get one in Australia.”

Cummings former stable star So You Think was purchased in New Zealand for $110,000.

Presentations done and dusted Cummings didn’t waste any time, purchasing Lot 14 a colt by Pins for $NZ110,000.

Cummings went on to purchase another 5 lots on the opening day for a total spend of $NZ 1,265,000.

The lots included 3 by So You Think’s sire High Chaparral. The highest priced $NZ360,000 being lot 119, a bay colt out of the Star Way mare Clarens, who is a sister to Kaapstad and a half-sister to Group I winners Octagonal and Mouawad.