Investment Opportunities to the Fore at National Weanling Sale

New Zealand Bloodstock’s dedicated National Weanling Sale, set to be held this Friday 14 May, is a prime opportunity for astute judges to purchase their next lucrative pinhooking investment.

Over the last few editions of NZB weanling sessions, pinhooked purchases have fetched significantly higher prices upon their return to the sale ring just a few months later at the National Yearling Sales Series. 

NZB’s Bloodstock Sales Manager Danny Rolston recognises the prospects for pinhookers who purchase through NZB sales.

“There are numerous opportunities for buyers wishing to pinhook at all ends of the weanling market in this particular sale.”

“For some purchasers, investing at a moderately low cost in comparison to the returns that pinhooked weanling purchases make as yearlings is an enticing prospect.

“There are also opportunities for buyers wishing to make more lucrative investments, with a number of top New Zealand consignors investing in a premium level of stock, and enjoying profitable rewards,” Rolston said.

Unable to be hosted as a physical auction as a result of COVID-19, NZB’s 2020 weanling sale session took place on popular online subsidiary Gavelhouse Plus.

Weanlings purchased through last year’s online auction averaged $17,251.

A number of those same graduates later returned to Karaka 2021 the following January, re-offered in what were trying circumstances because of international border closures.

Despite this, weanlings graduates that went back through the ring averaged $67,700 and sold up to a profitable $200,000. 

The strong pinhook results at Karaka 2021 were highlighted by NZB-sourced weanlings, with ample opportunities provided for bidders wishing to enter each spectrum of the market.

At NZB’s 2020 National Weanling Sale, Carlaw Park invested in Lot 29, a Savabeel colt out of Serenade (NZ) (O’Reilly) which they secured for $95,000 from Waikato Stud.

The colt later went back through the ring at NZB’s Karaka 2021 Book 1 Sale as Lot 99 in Carlaw Park’s draft, where he was purchased by Group One-winning trainer Stephen Marsh in partnership with Dennis Foster for $200,000.

Another successful pinhook purchase was made by Andre Anderson, who secured Lot 70, a Tivaci colt out of Savabeel mare Florist (NZ) from Waikato Stud’s 2020 National Weanling Sale draft for a mere $3,500. 

Re-offered as a yearling (Lot 794) in Book 2 at Karaka 2021, the colt caught the eye of Australian-based brothers Mike and Paul Moroney. Ballymore Stables’ trainer Pam Gerrard purchased the colt from the grounds at Karaka for a sizable $110,000.

Following the recent implementation of a trans-Tasman travel bubble, attendance by international buyers is set to be bolstered at Karaka 2022, with many judges looking to secure NZB yearling graduates after their outstanding performances on Australasian turf in recent months.

Three-year-olds bred and sold in New Zealand have been an unstoppable force in Australia this season, winning the Victoria Derby (2500m), Tasmanian Derby (2200m), West Australian Derby (2400m), Australian Derby (2400m), Randwick Guineas (1600m), Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and South Australian Derby (2400m).

A Sale abound with pinhooking potential, all New Zealand-based buyers and agents are welcome to attend the National Weanling Sale in person at the Karaka Sales Centre, while online bidding services will be available for registered buyers who are unable to physically attend New Zealand’s weanling harvest.

NZB Finance can assist with investments in a weanling purchase with the aim of reselling at Karaka 2022. Contact the NZB Finance team for more information by calling 09 298 055 or emailing [email protected].

Adding further appeal for investors, all weanlings offered at the National Weanling Sale will be eligible for the lucrative Karaka Million Series featuring two $1 million races available for graduates as two and three-year-olds, plus the $100,000 CollinsonForex Karaka Cup for the duration of their career.

View the full catalogue online here.