Brendon McCullum took time out from his Cricket World Cup preparations to buy shares in racehorses at Karaka.

The Black Caps skipper's Vermair Racing took a share in a filly by No Excuse Needed out of the Danasinga mare Singing Star, knocked down to leading syndicator David Ellis for $100,000 on day one of the Premier Yearling Sale.

"I'm absolutely over the moon, because I'm a huge cricket fan," Ellis said.

"I'm a huge supporter of Brendon's and I greatly admire the way he way he has been able to lift the New Zealand cricket team to an all time high. To have him with a horse in the stable is a huge thrill for us."

McCullum has already invested in a number of racehorses, among them Prince Mambo, twice placed at group one level.

Ellis spent $1.9 million on the first day of the sale for 14 horses.