News
Entries Open for New National Online Yearling Sale
Friday, November 27, 2020
Off the back of a successful Ready to Run Sale with the addition of a new online bidding facility, New Zealand Bloodstock is pleased to announce their further expansion into the realm of online thoroughbred auctions.NZB is adding a new addition to their sale calendar, which will be known as the National Online Yearling Sale set to take place on 3 February 2021. The newcomer to NZB’s National Yearling Sale Series will take up a fully digital format, set to be conducted on NZB subsidiary and premium online platform Gavelhouse Plus, following the conclusion of Karaka 2021.
Managing Director Andrew Seabrook is assured by the current landscape of online thoroughbred auctions, emphasised by the online bidding participation at last week’s NZB Ready to Run Sale responsible for 31% of the total Sale turnover. Another benefit of the digital catalogue is that all Lots offered in the National Online Yearling Sale are eligible to be nominated for NZB’s lucrative Karaka Million Series.
Entries for the 2021 National Online Yearling Sale are open now and will close on Wednesday 6 January 2021. To enter the Sale, visit NZB’s online portal here.
Zee Falls (NZ) Continues Sacred Falls Run
Friday, November 27, 2020
An impressive Group Three win by Zee Falls (NZ) (Sacred Falls) has continued a golden spring for her ill-fated sire – the multiple Group One-winning Karaka graduate Sacred Falls (NZ).Zee Falls was also bought at Karaka, picked up for $130,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2019. She earned black type at Otaki on Thursday with a $70,000 Lucia Valentina Wellington Stakes (1600m) victory that hinted at even bigger and better things to come in the future.
Ridden by Lisa Allpress, the lightly raced filly was prominently positioned before outfinishing the highly rated Key (Exceed and Excel) to win by three-quarters of a length.
Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh, who selected Zee Falls from the draft of Waikato Stud, now has his sights set on the Group One New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham in March.
Harvey Doubles Karaka Million 2YO Hand
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
In the first full year of his training career, young Cambridge horseman Glen Harvey has two fillies qualified for the $1m DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on 23 January 2021.An impressive victory by Brix (NZ) (Sweynesse) in Saturday’s $50,000 Listed FastTrack Insurance 2YO Stakes (1100m) has pushed the filly up to third position on the order of entry. Bought for $45,000 from Book 2 of Karaka 2020, Brix has earned $28,700 in her four-start career to date.
Brix leapfrogged her stablemate Miss Ipenema (NZ) (Sacred Falls), who was unplaced on Saturday but is safely in the Karaka Million field with $18,925 in stakes after an impressive victory at Te Rapa earlier this month. She sits in fourth place on the order of entry.
Meanwhile, the order of entry for the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) is the same as last week, with Group One winners Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls) and Kahma Lass (NZ) (Darci Brahma) at the top of the table.
There could be some movement behind that pair over the coming days, with the Group Three Lucia Valentina Wellington Stakes (1600m) to be run at Otaki on Thursday and the Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial (1500m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Thursday’s Otaki races could also affect the Karaka Million 2YO picture, with the supporting programme featuring a $22,500 race for two-year-olds over 1100 metres.
Keep up to date with NZB's Karaka Million 2YO and 3YO Order of Entry on the NZB website.
Karaka 2021 Yearling Catalogues Out Now
Monday, November 23, 2020
The release of New Zealand Bloodstock’s catalogues for the 95th National Yearling Sales Series has kicked off the countdown to the New Zealand thoroughbred industry’s biggest week of the year.The eyes of the thoroughbred world will tune in to Auckland from Saturday 23 January, when a high-octane Karaka Million Twilight race meeting at Ellerslie provides a perfect entrée for the live action that follows at NZB’s Karaka Sales Centre for their Book 1 and Book 2 catalogues.
Showcasing some of New Zealand’s brightest talent, an elite selection of yearlings will go through the ring in Book 1 on January 24, 25 and 26, followed by Book 2 on January 27 and 28. Selling will commence at Karaka from 1PM (NZT) on all days. In a change from previous years, Book 3 will be an online sale on Gavelhouse Plus, closing on Wednesday 3 February.
Sires represented at Karaka 2021 include American Pharoah, Belardo, Capitalist, Darci Brahma (NZ), Dundeel (NZ), Fastnet Rock, I Am Invincible, No Nay Never, Ocean Park (NZ), Per Incanto, Pierro, Savabeel, Snitzel, Tavistock (NZ), Written Tycoon and Zoustar.
The catalogue also features the progeny of an exciting group of new bloodlines – first season sires Almanzor, Caravaggio, Churchill, Derryn, Hellbent, Impending, Invader, Merchant Navy, Mongolian Falcon, Pariah, Ribchester, Russian Revolution, Satono Aladdin, Spieth (NZ), Time Test, War Decree and What’s The Story (NZ).
Book 1 and Book 2 catalogues are now available to be viewed online, with physical copies arriving in mailboxes.
As with the highly successful recent NZB Ready to Run Sale, online bidding services will be available for all registered buyers who are unable to physically attend Karaka 2021.
All yearlings will be available for on-farm inspections with agents available to inspect on behalf.
View the catalogues online now.
Inspirational Girl (NZ) Brilliant in Group One Railway
Monday, November 23, 2020
A lightly raced Karaka graduate soared to Perth racing stardom with a superb victory in Saturday’s A$1m Group One Kirin Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot.Inspirational Girl (NZ) (Reliable Man) was a $190,000 purchase from the 2017 Premier Sale. Carrying the colours of prominent Perth owners Bob and Sandra Peters, the five-year-old has now had 11 starts for nine wins, two placings and A$896,625 in stakes.
Ten in a Row for Golden Sixty
Monday, November 23, 2020
Days after a spectacularly successful 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, the leading two-year-old sale’s name is in lights again thanks to one of its superstar graduates.
$300,000 purchase Golden Sixty (Medaglia d’Oro) has become an unstoppable force in Hong Kong, scoring his tenth consecutive victory in Sunday’s HK$4.5 million Group Two Jockey Club Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin. Golden Sixty has now won 13 of his 14 career starts, earning more than HK$38 million (NZ$7 million).
Media Sensation Makes Impressive Return
Monday, November 23, 2020
Group One-winning Karaka graduate Media Sensation (I Am Invincible) began a new campaign on a brilliant note in Saturday’s $100,000 Group Two Dunstan Feeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe.Bought for $425,000 from Lime Country’s draft at the 2017 Premier Sale, Media Sensation was one of the best of her generation as a three-year-old, winning the Group One New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Group Three Soliloquy Stakes (1400m). Saturday’s victory, in her first appearance since March, hinted that she could be in for another big campaign.
Furore Strikes Again in Jockey Club Cup
Monday, November 23, 2020
Hong Kong Derby (2000m)-winning Karaka graduate Furore (Pierro) is right back at the peak of his powers, scoring back-to-back Group wins in his last two starts.The Tony Cruz-trained gelding made a triumphant return to top form in the Group Three Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1800m) earlier this month, and on Sunday he added the HK$4.5m Group Two Jockey Club Cup (2000m). Bought for $210,000 at the 2016 Premier Sale, Furore has now earned more than HK$32 million (NZ$5.95 million).
In A Twinkling Defends Counties Cup Crown
Monday, November 23, 2020
A long drought was broken at Pukekohe on Saturday when In A Twinkling (Fastnet Rock) became the first horse in three decades to win back-to-back runnings of the $100,000 Group Three Franklin Auctions Counties Cup (2100m).
Bought by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis for $250,000 at the 2017 Premier Sale, In A Twinkling has now earned more than $440,000 in his 21-start, four-win career. He also finished a close second in the Group One New Zealand Derby (2400m) of his year.
Brix (NZ) Caps Harvey’s Big Week
Monday, November 23, 2020
The Karaka sale ring played a key part in a special week for young Cambridge horseman Glen Harvey, which culminated with a stakes win by Brix (NZ) (Sweynesse) at Pukekohe on Saturday.A few days earlier, Harvey pulled off a pinhooking triumph at the Ready to Run Sale – earning $230,000 for Lot 120, a Reliable Man gelding he had previously bought for $5,100 off Gavelhouse.com. On Saturday it was all about Brix, Harvey’s $45,000 purchase from Book 2, who won the $50,000 Listed FastTrack Insurance 2YO Stakes (1100m).
Records Smashed During Outstanding Ready to Run Sale
Thursday, November 19, 2020
With a brilliant closure to what has been an outstanding two days of trading, New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale broke their own record in the final moments of Day Two.Sam and Hana Beatson’s Riversley Park offered the NZB record-breaking two-year-old, Lot 298 purchased for $700,000 in a bidding dual between Te Akau Racing’s Jamie Richards and Kingsclere Stables’ Roger James.
The prolific cross between Savabeel and the O’Reilly mare Miss Opulence caught the attention of super stable Te Akau who managed to come out on top, securing the colt for a record price.
Sam Beatson was wrapped with his final result, taking out the 2020 Ready to Run leading vendor title for the fourth consecutive year, selling 23 horses for a total turnover of $4,152,500.
“When we arrived at the sale complex we were busy from the get-go.”
“We knew he was a lovely colt and that he would bring some money in, but to make $700,000 was fantastic.”
“The online bidding has worked very successfully, people weren’t quite sure how it was going to go, but the overseas buyers got their heads around it and it has paid off,” he said.
With the help of David Ellis over the phone, Jamie Richard’s secured the Savabeel colt for a hefty price tag and Richard’s was enthusiastic about Te Akau’s new addition.
“He is a lovely colt, medium size, athletic and we thought he was the best colt in the Sale.”
“We saved the best for last and we are looking forward to getting all of our purchases back to Te Akau into the stable.”
“New Zealand Bloodstock need to be commended for the wonderful sale they have put on here at Karaka over the past few days,” he said.
“Everybody was nervous leading into the Sale and it’s unbelievable how well it has gone in the current climate and NZB really need to take a bow, they have done a wonderful job,” Richards said.
Managing Director Andrew Seabrook was thrilled with the final outcome.
“It’s been an amazing success. At the start, we were cautiously optimistic but this has exceeded our wildest dreams.
“Our online bidding platform was so user friendly, worked incredibly well and is responsible for more than 31% of the total turnover.”
“To be honest we didn’t know how it was going to go but to sell 60 lots for $100,000 or more in this current climate is nothing short of phenomenal.”
To make enquiries about any Passed Lots contact Kane Jones +64 27 274 4985.
Expectations Exceeded on Day One of NZB’s Ready to Run Sale
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale cemented its unrivalled position in the two-year-old sale market with strong international and domestic buying benches represented on the opening day of the Sale.Day One saw NZB unveil their new online bidding platform, with the robust technology proving successful after a strong day of international purchases secured.
Managing Director Andrew Seabrook was thrilled with the reception of NZB’s new digital platform.
“We were cautiously optimistic heading into today, although the response to our online bidding platform has exceeded our expectations.”
“45% of today’s total turnover was secured from our international buyers using the platform, with Hong Kong leading the way and strong participation from Australia and Macau,” he said.
The top lot of Day One was purchased by Graham Richardson on behalf of a Hong Kong client in Lot 54, a Sacred Falls colt out of Savabeel Star for $525,000 from Riversley Park.
Travel restrictions had little impact on the activity of NZB’s international clients, with dynamic duo Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young purchasing the second top lot of the day.
They secured Lot 3, a Savabeel colt out of On Broadway for $400,000 from Ohukia Lodge.
“We are very pleased with him, that is what you expect to pay for those sort of horses and we are very happy to end up with him,” Busuttin said.
2020 Ready to Run Sale Statistics – Day One
- Aggregate: $7,615,500
- Average: $92,872
- Median: $51,250
- Clearance: 69%
- Catalogued: 160
- Offered: 119
- Sold: 82
- Top Lot: Lot 54 $525,000 Sacred Falls - Savabeel Star (Br.C)
NZB’s Ready to Run Anticipation Sets In
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
In the days leading into a horse sale, the energy around the Sale Complex is often a crucial pointer to what lies heads.And while sales expert Danny Rolston admits that energy is different at Karaka leading into tomorrow’s Ready to Run sale, he says the New Zealand Bloodstock team have been pleasantly surprised.
Rolston is the Bloodstock Sales Manager for NZB as they head into one of the trickiest ever sales, with no foreign buyers, trainers or agents able to attend the two-day event because of COVID restrictions on travel.
“It is obviously a very different sale on many levels and today (Tuesday) for example would usually be the day a lot of our clients from Asia would be arriving to check out the shortlists agents have put together for them,” explains Rolston.
Kahma Lass (NZ) Sparkles in Group One 1000 Guineas
Sunday, November 15, 2020
With a breakthrough performance in Saturday’s $300,000 Group One Barneswood Farm 48th New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton, lightly raced filly Kahma Lass (NZ) (Darci Brahma) has burst to the top of the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series table.Previously a runner-up in the Group Three Soliloquy Stakes (1400m), the $290,000 Karaka 2019 purchase has now soared to 15 points and taken a clear lead in the race for the coveted Filly of the Year title.
Kahma Lass only began her racing career on September 13, with her maiden victory coming at Avondale three weeks later. On Saturday, at just her fourth start, she defeated a star-studded field and became a Group One winner.
Dragon Storm (NZ) Captures New Zealand Cup
Sunday, November 15, 2020
A Karaka graduate with Cup triumphs on both sides of his pedigree has followed his parents’ example, capturing Saturday’s $250,000 Group Three Christchurch Casino 157th New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton.Dragon Storm (NZ) is by the Melbourne Cup (3200m) winner Shocking, while his dam Prize Lady (NZ) (Prized) was a two-time winner of the Auckland Cup (3200m). Dragon Storm cost $55,000 at the 2016 Premier Sale, then was knocked down for $150,000 at the Ready to Run Sale later that year. He has now won five races and $205,575 in stakes.