Karaka Catalogues Stacked with Stellar Sires

For the very top echelon of sires, the mere mention of their name immediately brings to mind a long list of progeny and their outstanding racetrack performances. Buyers flock to Karaka every year, both virtually and physically, to secure sons and daughters of these stellar stallions and Karaka 2022 promises to be no different.

The Book 1 and Book 2 catalogues shine a spotlight on dozens of top-class sires, and in some cases, Karaka 2022 represents a precious final opportunity for buyers to access their yearling progeny.

 

ALL TOO HARD 

All Too Hard always had big shoes to fill, being a younger half-brother to the undefeated champion sprinter Black Caviar (Bel Esprit). But he made a good fist of it with seven wins, headed by the Group One Caulfield Guineas (1600m), CF Orr Stakes (1400m), Futurity Stakes (1400m) and All Aged Stakes (1400m). He also finished second in a Cox Plate (2040m).

The son of Casino Prince has continued in the same vein at stud, siring 345 winners from 526 runners, with 22 stakes winners including Group One heroes Behemoth, Alligator Blood, Forbidden Love and Wellington.

All Too Hard features in Karaka 2022 as the sire of Lot 89, a filly whose second dam Cannyanna (Canny Lad) won multiple stakes races, placed at Group One level and is the dam of Listed winner Milestone (Redoute’s Choice).

 

BRAZEN BEAU

Brazen Beau was a dual Group One-winning sprinter at Flemington, capturing the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) and Newmarket Handicap (1200m), and he also finished second in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot.

He is the sire of 184 winners from 332 runners, with 16 individual black-type winners. His headline act is On The Bubbles, who was bought for $90,000 from this sale in 2020. A year later he won the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) and Group One Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).

Buyers looking for another On The Bubbles have the choice of six Brazen Beau yearlings in Book 1 of Karaka 2022, including Lot 312, out of a winning daughter of Group One star Imananabaa (Anabaa).

 

BURGUNDY 

This is the final crop of yearlings by former Cambridge Stud stallion Burgundy (NZ), who sadly died in 2019.

Himself a $1.3 million purchase from Karaka in 2010, Burgundy won five stakes races and placed at Group One level before joining the Cambridge stallion roster. He is the sire of 89 winners from 182 runners, including black-type stars Dijon Bleu (NZ), Belle En Rouge (NZ), Hard Merchandize (NZ), Brandenburg (NZ), Bellacontte (NZ), Mondorani (NZ), La Romanee (NZ) and this month’s undefeated Group Three 2YO Classic (1200m) winner Maven Belle (NZ).

Burgundy’s final offering at Karaka 2022 includes Lot 400 – a half-sister to this season’s Group One Sistema Railway (1200m) and Group Two Sheraco Stakes (1200m) heroine Entriviere (NZ) (Tavistock).

 

CHARM SPIRIT 

Triple Group One winner Charm Spirit shuttled to Windsor Park Stud from 2015 to 2020, siring 88 winners from 144 runners among his southern hemisphere progeny.

His seven stakes winners include the Group Two-winning fillies Aretha (NZ) and Fascino (NZ), along with Group Three winners Sansom (NZ), Scorpz (NZ) and Lilikoi (NZ). Scorpz also placed in the Group One New Zealand Derby (2400m) and is now at stud in Australia.

With limited opportunities remaining to buy his progeny in this part of the world, Charm Spirit has 12 yearlings in Book 1 of Karaka 2022 and eight in Book 2, including:

• Lot 56, from the family of champion stallion Redoute’s Choice and fellow sires Manhattan Rain, Platinum Scissors, Rubick and Echoes Of Heaven.
• Lot 343, a half-brother to Group One Zabeel Classic (2000m) and Group Two Sunline Stakes (1600m) winner Consensus (NZ) (Postponed).

 

CONTRIBUTER

A high-class racehorse for Godolphin who won the Group One Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) and Ranvet Stakes (2000m), Contributer has been a quality addition to New Zealand’s stallion ranks. The Mapperley Stud star was New Zealand’s leading second-season sire in 2020-21.

Contributer has had 46 winners from just 77 runners to date. Lion’s Roar (NZ) put his name in lights in Australia with a brilliant victory in last year’s Group One Randwick Guineas (1600m), along with placings in the Group One Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and Australian Derby (2400m).

His best-performed New Zealand runner to date is Llanacord (NZ), the winner of the Group Two Lowland Stakes (2100m) and placegetter in the Group One New Zealand Oaks (2400m). Another four of his progeny have been stakes-placed.

Contributer is the sire of 14 yearlings in Book 1 and eight in Book 2, including:

• Lot 210, a half-sister to eight winners including multiple Group winner Sacred Park (NZ) (Thorn Park).
• Lot 284, a filly whose dam is a full-sister to the stakes winner Rocha (Encosta De Lago), who is the dam of the current Group-performing mare Rocha Clock (Pierro).

 

DARCI BRAHMA

The Oaks Stud’s Darci Brahma (NZ) has excelled in every role he’s ever played – from a $1.1 million sale-topping yearling at Karaka in 2004 to a five-time Group One-winning career on the racetrack, and then more than a decade of excellence at stud.

The son of the legendary Danehill boasts six top-three finishes on the New Zealand sires’ premiership, and he has had a total of 515 winners from 707 runners. His 54 stakes winners include a dozen at Group One level, from sprint stars like D B Pin (NZ) and Irish Fling (NZ) to Derby and Oaks winners Sky Darci (NZ), Gust Of Wind (NZ) and Artistic (NZ). His current stars include the Group One-winning gallopers Sierra Sue (NZ), Catalyst (NZ) and Kahma Lass (NZ).

Another quality selection of eight Darci Brahma yearlings is available in Book 1 of Karaka 2022, with two more in Book 2, including:

• Lot 131, from an excellent American family that features the seven-time Grade One winner and sire Slew O’Gold (Seattle Slew).
• Lot 435, out of a stakes-winning mare who is the dam of black-type performers Minaj (NZ) (Commands) and Shenandoah (NZ) (Darci Brahma).

 

DEEP FIELD 

Commanding an A$88,000 service fee at Newgate Farm, Group Two-winning sprinter Deep Field has exceeded his racetrack achievements in a prolific stud career. The son of the short-lived but influential Northern Meteor already has 237 winners to his name from just 359 runners, with 13 individual stakes winners.

Portland Sky became his first Group One winner in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and is now embarking on his own stud career, while Karaka 2018 graduate Sky Field won this season’s Hong Kong Sprint (1200m).

Four years on from Sky Field’s journey through the Karaka sale ring, Deep Field features as the sire of six yearlings in Book 1 of Karaka 2022. Those include Lot 257, out of a half-sister to the top-class Castelvecchio (Dundeel), and Lot 327, whose dam Irish Fling (NZ) (Darci Brahma) won the Group One Telegraph (1200m).

 

DUNDEEL

A racehorse of the highest quality, Dundeel (NZ) won 10 of his 19 starts including the Group One Spring Champion Stakes (2000m), Randwick Guineas (1600m), Rosehill Guineas (2000m), Australian Derby (2400m), Underwood Stakes (1800m) and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).

The New Zealand Horse of the Year has continued to excel since retiring to Arrowfield Stud, siring 186 winners to date from 293 runners including 16 at stakes level. His headline acts are the Group One winners Castelvecchio, Super Seth, Yourdeel (NZ), Truly Great and Atyaab, with Castelvecchio and Super Seth now themselves at stud.

Dundeel has nine progeny set to go through the sale ring during Book 1 of Karaka 2022, including Lots 352 and 361, whose well-performed dams come from the superb family of Group One stars such as Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi) and Champagne (NZ) (Zabeel).

 

EXCEED AND EXCEL

With over 1600 winners including 193 at stakes level, champion shuttle stallion Exceed And Excel has a record that speaks for itself. His standout performers include the likes of Guelph, Bivouac, Excelebration, Helmet, September Run, Microphone, Earthquake, Overreach and Exceedance. Notably, Overreach is the dam of the unbeaten recent Group Three Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) winner Lofty Strike (Snitzel).

Exceed And Excel is also the sire of superb Hong Kong sprinter Mr Stunning, who was a $250,000 purchase from Karaka 2014.

Exceed And Excel has three colts catalogued for Karaka 2022, including Lot 228, a grandson of Group One winner and quality broodmare Isolda (NZ) (Sir Tristram).

 

FASTNET ROCK 

Another magnificent shuttle stallion who needs little introduction, Fastnet Rock has starred in both hemispheres with 2008 winners – 183 of them in black-type races, including 42 at Group One level.

Several of his star performers have been sold through this very sale ring, including nine-time Group One winner Avantage and fellow elite performers First Seal, Unforgotten, Planet Rock, Heroic Valour, Atlante and Rock ‘n’ Pop.

Fastnet Rock’s progeny are always in red-hot demand at Karaka, and just one features in the catalogue for Karaka 2022 – Lot 410, who is a full-sister to the Australian Oaks (2400m) winner Unforgotten.

 

I AM INVINCIBLE

One of the biggest names on the Australian bloodstock landscape, I Am Invincible stands for a service fee of A$220,000 at Yarraman Park. His big reputation and service fee have been earned by years of extraordinary performance, rapidly racking up 678 winners from 872 runners to date.

His 75 stakes winners include the Group One stars Viddora, Brazen Beau, Loving Gaby, I Am A Star (NZ), Voodoo Lad, Invincibella, Media Sensation, Home Affairs, Hellbent and Oohood.

Two fillies by I Am Invincible are set to go through the Karaka sale ring in Book 1. Lot 11 is out of the Group One winner Thee Auld Floozie (NZ) (Mastercraftsman), while Lot 596 is a half-sister to the Group One performers Supera (NZ) (Savabeel) and Eleonora (NZ) (Makfi).

 

IFFRAAJ

Outstanding shuttle stallion Iffraaj left New Zealand for the final time in 2019, signing off after more than a decade of superb service at Haunui Farm. He has left a lasting legacy, with his Group One-winning sons Jon Snow (NZ), Ribchester, Turn Me Loose (NZ) and Wyndspelle (NZ) all now at stud in New Zealand.

Overall, Iffraaj has sired 1000 winners from 1648 runners worldwide, with 81 stakes winners including 11 at Group One level. His influence now spans multiple generations, with his Group One-winning son Wootton Bassett siring the emerging star Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor.

The final New Zealand crop of Iffraaj yearlings features prominently in Karaka 2022 with 18 in Book 1 and three in Book 2, including:

• Lot 183, whose stakes-winning dam Cote d’Or (NZ) (Makfi) comes from the exceptional Pencarrow Stud family of Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm), Darci Brahma (NZ) and Burgundy (NZ).
• Lot 396, a filly out of a half-sister to champion mare Alexander Goldrun (Gold Away).

 

LONHRO 

After an all-conquering racetrack career that netted 11 Group One victories and more than A$5.7 million, Lonhro has extended his excellence into the breeding barn. He is the sire of 956 winners from 1322 runners, 93 of them at stakes level including elite progeny Pierro, Impending, Denman, Bounding, Beaded, Kementari, Mental, Exosphere, The Congolomerate, Lyre, Benfica and Aristia.

Five Lonhro yearlings feature in Book 1 of Karaka 2022, including Lot 18, out of the Group Two-winning mare Tiamo Grace (Monaco Consul), while the dam of Lot 578 is a full-sister to Group One winner Ace High (High Chaparral).

 

MORE THAN READY

Legendary shuttle stallion More Than Ready has spent two decades alternating between the United States and Australia, and he has become one of the most successful stallions of all time with 2066 winners from 2858 runners worldwide. His 213 stakes winners include 26 at Group or Grade One level, with his notable Australasian progeny including the likes of More Joyous (NZ), Samaready, Sebring, Prized Icon, More Than Sacred and Phelan Ready.

More Than Ready has two yearlings catalogued for Karaka 2022, including Lot 158, out of the stakes-winning mare Celeris (NZ) (Fusaichi Pegasus).

 

NO NAY NEVER 

Coolmore’s sensational No Nay Never has already made a monstrous impact in a career spanning barely half a decade. His 443 runners worldwide have featured 259 winners, 36 of them at stakes level including Group One stars Alcohol Free, Ten Sovereigns and Brooke.

No Nay Never and Karaka has also proven to be a winning recipe, with Need I Say More bought for $130,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2019. He has won seven races including the Group Two Sarten Memorial (1400m), Group Two Wellington Guineas (1400m), Group Three Almanzor Trophy (1200m), Group Three Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), Group Three Matamata Slipper (1200m) and Listed Mufhasa Stakes (1300m).

There are six No Nay Never yearlings in Book 1 of Karaka 2022, including Lot 349, from the family of champion Mahogany (Last Tycoon).

 

NOT A SINGLE DOUBT  

Arrowfield Stud retired Not A Single Doubt from stallion duties in 2020, ending a career that has produced 756 winners from 1051 runners. He is the sire of 79 individual stakes winners, with 16 Group One winners including hot stallion prospect Extreme Choice and Golden Slipper (1200m) hero Farnan.

With chances to buy Not A Single Doubt’s progeny starting to run out, buyers could be drawn to Lot 486 in Book 1 of Karaka 2022 – a filly from the family of Group One winner and outstanding producer Bonanova (NZ) (Star Way).

 

OCEAN PARK

The top-class racing career of Ocean Park (NZ) featured Group One triumphs in the Makfi Challenge Stakes (1400m), Underwood Stakes (1800m), Caulfield Stakes (2000m), Cox Plate (2040m) and New Zealand Stakes (2000m). Since joining fellow Cox Plate hero Savabeel on the Waikato Stud stallion roster in 2013, he has also made a name for himself as an outstanding sire.

Ocean Park boasts 209 winners from 340 runners, with 17 stakes winners over distances ranging from 1200 metres to 3200 metres.

Star gallopers Kolding (NZ) and Tofane (NZ) have each recorded multiple Group One victories in Australia over sprint-mile distances – with Tofane collecting the fourth Group One victory of her stellar career in the recent CF Orr Stakes (1400m). At the other end of the spectrum, Ocean Billy (NZ) took out last year’s Auckland Cup (3200m).

Star Of The Seas (NZ), Another Dollar (NZ), Rondinella (NZ), Mongolianconqueror (NZ), Marine (NZ) and Arrogant (NZ) have all placed at the elite level.

Karaka 2022 features 35 Ocean Park yearlings in Book 1 and eight in Book 2, including:

• Lot 37, a full-brother to the Group One Tancred Stakes (2400m), New Zealand Stakes (2000m) and Sydney Cup (3200m) placegetter Rondinella (NZ) (Ocean Park).
• Lot 44, out of a half-sister to four stakes winners including Group One Epsom Handicap (1600m) hero Hauraki (Reset).
• Lot 258, a filly out of a half-sister to the dam of Group One winner and sire Flying Artie (Artie Schiller).

 

PER INCANTO

Little Avondale Stud’s Per Incanto is firmly established as a top-tier sire in New Zealand, and now Australia is getting to know him too through the likes of elite sprinter Lost And Running (NZ) and fellow recent stakes winners Justacanta (NZ), Lanciato (NZ) and Amanaat. He was also Hong Kong’s leading sire by winners and wins in 2020-21.

Overall, the son of Street Cry has sired 284 winners from 434 runners, with 22 stakes winners. Shadows Cast (NZ), Santa Monica (NZ), Dal Cielo (NZ) and Bonham have all won at Group One level in New Zealand.

Per Incanto is set to make a real impact at Karaka 2022 with 27 yearlings in Book 1 and eight in Book 2, including:

• Lot 290, a half-sister to the recent Group Two Westbury Classic (1400m) winner Dragon Queen (NZ) (Sweynesse).
• Lot 372, out of a three-quarter-sister to Group One winners Diademe (NZ) (Savabeel) and Embellish (NZ) (Savabeel).
• Lot 571, out of the Group One-winning mare Sharvasti (NZ) (Montjeu).

 

PIERRO 

Pierro was an almost-perfect racehorse, lining up in 14 races for 11 wins, three placings and more than A$4.5 million in stakes. He won the Group One Golden Slipper (1200m), Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), Champagne Stakes (1600m), Canterbury Stakes (1300m) and George Ryder Stakes (1500m), and placed in the Group One Caulfield Guineas (1600m), Cox Plate (2040m) and Doncaster Handicap (1600m).

Pierro has since established himself as one of Australia’s finest stallions, credited with 288 winners from 422 runners including 27 stakes winners. He has had Group One success through Arcadia Queen, Regal Power, Shadow Hero, Pierata, Levendi and Pinot.

Pierro is also the sire of quality Hong Kong performer Furore (NZ), who was bought for $210,000 from Karaka 2016. He has won eight races and more than HK$36 million, headed by the Hong Kong Derby (2000m) and Group Two Jockey Club Cup (2000m), along with four Group One placings.

There are 13 Pierro yearlings in Book 1 of Karaka 2022, including Lot 165, out of Group One winner Charmont (High Chaparral), and Lot 522, a half-brother to multiple Group One winner Madison County (NZ) (Pins).

 

PRIDE OF DUBAI

Multiple Group One-winning two-year-old Pride Of Dubai was an immediate success at stud, finishing as leading first-season sire in Australia in 2019-20. He has built on that strong start and now has a total of 116 winners from 266 runners, with 13 stakes winners including the Group One-placed Dubai Honour and Bella Nipotina.

Pride Of Dubai has three yearlings in Book 1 of Karaka 2022 and one in Book 2, including Lot 525, a filly whose dam is a half-sister to the superb racehorse and sire Starspangledbanner (Choisir).

 

PROISIR

Rich Hill Stud’s Proisir has hit headlines in recent seasons through the likes of the ultra-talented dual Group One-winning Levante (NZ). His progeny overall number 89 winners from 171 runners to date with seven individual black-type winners.

Proisir has flown his flag high during 2021-22 season with Levante’s back-to-back Group One victories, Group Two Auckland Guineas (1600m) winner Dark Destroyer (NZ), while across the Tasman, Riodini (NZ) has finished second in the Group Two Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) and Group One George Main Stakes (1600m). Prior to relocating to Sydney, Riodini was previously a Group Three winner and Group One placegetter in New Zealand.

Eight progeny of Proisir will feature in Book 1, including Lot 394, who is a filly out of Savabeel mare Madamoiselle (NZ). This lots granddam is tripple Group One-winning Tall Poppy (NZ).

 

RELIABLE MAN 

Westbury Stud’s Reliable Man was a Group One winner in both hemispheres and has put together an excellent CV at stud, siring 296 winners from 549 runners to date.

The son of Dalakhani has been credited with 18 individual stakes winners, headed by Group One-winning daughters Miami Bound (NZ), Inspirational Girl (NZ) and Sentimental Miss (NZ).

Six sons or daughters of Reliable Man feature in Book 1 of Karaka 2022, along with 17 in Book 2, including:

• Lot 146, a filly out of a half-sister to quality Australian galloper Divine Calling (Stratum).
• Lot 261, a half-sister to Group Two Foxbridge Plate (1200m) winner and multiple Group One placegetter Mascarpone (NZ) (Shooting To Win).

 

RIP VAN WINKLE

Standing at Windsor Park Stud from 2011 until his death in 2020, the former high-class racehorse Rip Van Winkle was a regular source of quality progeny. But he saved his best for last, with the likes of multiple Group One winner Te Akau Shark (NZ) and New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Jennifer Eccles (NZ) coming from some of his later crops.

Overall, Rip Van Winkle has sired 443 winners from 761 runners. He has had 33 individual stakes winners, with Irish star Dick Whittington completing a trio of Group One winners alongside Te Akau Shark and Jennifer Eccles. He also produced a number of quality Group Two winners, including his daughters Subpoenaed (NZ), Capella (NZ) and Lasarla (NZ).

Limited chances remain to buy yearlings by Rip Van Winkle, and there are seven in Book 1 and six in Book 2, including:

• Lot 108, a full-sister to dual Group One winner Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle).
• Lot 497, a full-brother to Group One winner Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle).

 

SACRED FALLS

In a story similar to so many others in the history of thoroughbred breeding, the stud career of four-time Group One winner Sacred Falls (NZ) has gone to a new level since his death in late 2019.

The couple of years since then have unearthed Group One winner Aegon (NZ), high-class mare Icebath (NZ), and Group winners Zee Falls (NZ), All Saints’ Eve (NZ), Courier Wonder (NZ) and All Hallows’ Eve (NZ).

Overall, Sacred Falls is the sire of 92 winners from 164 runners. Karaka 2022 will feature 19 members of his final yearling crop in Book 1, with another four in Book 2, including:

• Lot 122, a colt out of Best Command (Court Command), a stakes-placed half-sister to Group One winner First Seal (Fastnet Rock).
• Lot 279, a son of Group Two winner and Group One-placed Gold Fever (NZ) (Savabeel).
• Lot 503, a half-sister to three stakes winners including Group One winner Brambles (NZ) (Savabeel).

 

SAVABEEL 

The undisputed king of New Zealand stallions, Savabeel has been champion New Zealand sire in all of the last seven seasons. He has been equally dominant as a sire of yearlings at Karaka during that time, regularly topping the stallion tables with an average well over $200,000 across the last few years.

The Waikato Stud titan’s statistics speak for themselves. Savabeel is the sire of 799 winners from 1102 runners, with 124 individual stakes winners including 27 at Group One level. Reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year Probabeel (NZ) is a current headline act, along with the likes of recent Group One winners Mo’unga (NZ), The Chosen One (NZ), Noverre (NZ) and The Perfect Pink (NZ).

Karaka has long been the premier destination to source progeny of Savabeel, and once again there are 42 well-related sons or daughters of the champion sire in the catalogue for Book 1, including:

• Lot 10, out of a blood sister to the dam of New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner The Perfect Pink (NZ) (Savabeel), also closely related to Group One stars The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) and The Jewel (NZ) (O’Reilly).
• Lot 126, out of a sibling to the dams of Group One winners Daffodil (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) and Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls).
• Lot 161, a full-brother to the super-impressive Group One Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and Winx Stakes (1400m) winner Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel).

 

SHAMUS AWARD

A Group One Cox Plate (2040m) and Australian Guineas (1600m)-winning son of Snitzel, Rosemont Stud’s Shamus Award has risen to prominence with plenty of star progeny in recent seasons.

His 17 stakes winners include elite performers Incentivise, Mr Quickie, Duais and Media Award, with Incentivise attracting particular recent attention through his nine-race winning streak that featured the Group One Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), Turnbull Stakes (2000m) and Caulfield Cup (2400m), followed by a gallant second in the Melbourne Cup (3200m).

Shamus Award has one yearling catalogued for Karaka 2022 – Lot 163, a filly out of the five-race-winning mare Chaquinta (NZ) (High Chaparral).

 

SHOCKING

Group One Melbourne Cup (3200m) and Australian Cup (2000m) winner Shocking has been a strong servant for Rich Hill Stud for a decade, but he is currently enjoying the best season of his entire career.

His progeny in 2021-22 include I’m Thunderstruck (NZ), the winner of the Group One Toorak Handicap (1600m) and the A$7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m). The four-year-old has won six of his nine starts to date and earned more than A$5 million in stakes.

I’m Thunderstruck has been ably supported by the Group Two Royal Stakes (2000m) winner Self Obsession (NZ), Group Three Sandown Stakes (1500m) winner Elephant (NZ), Group Three Wellington Cup (3200m) winner Lincoln King (NZ) and Listed winners Kilowatt (NZ) and Dragon Storm (NZ).

Overall, Shocking is the sire of 163 winners from 312 runners, with 18 stakes winners including two at Group One level.

With his progeny firing on all cylinders, there is no better time to buy yearlings by Shocking, who has five in Book 1 of Karaka 2022 and six in Book 2. They include:

• Lot 501, a half-sister to two stakes performers including the Group Two winner and Group One-placed Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy).
• Lot 551, a half-brother to the South African stakes winner Diamond King (More Than Ready).

 

SNITZEL 

Arrowfield Stud champion Snitzel has shattered several wins and prize-money records during his 15-year tenure, winning four of the last five Australian sire premierships and siring a total of 999 winners from 1306 runners to date.

His 118 stakes winners include 18 Group One winners, with Kiwi stars Sword Of State and Summer Passage joined by Australian standouts such as Trapeze Artist, Redzel, Russian Revolution, Shamus Award and Snitzerland.

Snitzel is the sire of two blue-blooded yearlings in Book 1 of Karaka 2022. Lot 61 is the first foal out of Group Two winner and Group One placed Xpression (NZ) (Showcasing), while Lot 217 is out of trans-Tasman Group Three winner and Group One VRC Oaks (2500m) placegetter Eleonora (NZ) (Makfi).

 

SO YOU THINK

So You Think (NZ) has gone on to great things since selling for $110,000 as a yearling at Karaka in 2008. He won five Group One races in Australia including two editions of the Cox Plate (2040m), then added another five in the UK and Ireland including the Eclipse Stakes (2000m), Irish Champion Stakes (2000m) and Royal Ascot’s Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (2000m).

So You Think has followed up those racetrack heroics with 454 winners from 670 progeny to race, with 38 stakes winners including Group One stars Think It Over, Quick Thinker, La Diosa (NZ), Sopressa, Nakeeta Jane, D’Argento and Inference.

Karaka 2022 features 11 yearlings by So You Think, including Lot 354 – a three-quarter-sister to Group One winner The Jewel (NZ) (O’Reilly), half-sister to Group One winner La Diosa (NZ) (So You Think), and closely related to fellow elite performers such as The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) and The Perfect Pink (NZ) (Savabeel).

 

TAVISTOCK

In an outstanding stud career that was cut short by his untimely death in 2019, Tavistock (NZ) became renowned as a terrific sire of classic horses.

The Cambridge Stud star’s 33 stakes winners include Group One Victoria Derby (2500m) winners Tarzino (NZ) and Johnny Get Angry (NZ), Group One Australian Derby (2400m) winner Tavago (NZ), Group One Rosehill Guineas (2000m) winner Volkstok’n’barrell (NZ), Group One Schweppes Oaks (2000m) winner Toffee Tongue (NZ), triple Group One winner and Hong Kong Derby (2000m) hero Werther (NZ), and Singapore Derby (2000m) winner Infantry (NZ).

But Tavistock was no one-trick pony, as his scintillating sprinting mare Entriviere (NZ) has demonstrated with blistering victories in this season’s Group One Sistema Railway (1200m) and Group Two Sheraco Stakes (1200m).

Time is running out to get your hands on a Tavistock yearling, and Karaka 2022 will give you that opportunity with 16 in Book 1 and one in Book 2, including:

• Lot 438, a half-sister to two stakes performers including Group One-winning juvenile Marky Mark (Makfi).
• Lot 449, out of a winning full-sister to the Group One-winning Pasadena Girl (NZ) (Savabeel).

 

WRITTEN TYCOON 

Dethroning the great Snitzel to be crowned Australia’s champion sire in 2020-21, Written Tycoon boasts an extraordinary record of 712 winners from just 937 runners to date. He has sired 44 individual stakes winners, with 11 Group One winners including the likes of exciting stud prospects Capitalist, Written By and Ole Kirk.

There are two Written Tycoon fillies in Book 1 of Karaka 2022, including Lot 467, whose dam is a half-sister to the dam of Written Tycoon’s Group One Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) winner Luna Rossa (NZ).

 

ZED

A son of the legendary Zabeel and Group One-winning mare Emerald Dream (Danehill), Zed (NZ) has become one of the standout sires of stamina of his generation.

Standing at Grangewilliam Stud for a fee of just $6000, Zed boasts an impressive record of 159 winners from 279 foals to race. He is the sire of 15 stakes winners, two of them at Group One level. The headline act is obviously Australian Horse of the Year Verry Elleegant (NZ), who has won 10 Group One races including a spectacular demolition of her rivals in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November.

Zed has two yearlings in Book 1 of Karaka 2022 and three in Book 2, including:

• Lot 293, a three-quarter-sister to the world’s highest-rated racemare, Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed).
• Lot 340, a half-sister to Group One winner Ladies First (NZ) (Dylan Thomas).

 

ZOUSTAR

Himself a multiple Group One winner on the track, Zoustar has become one of the big runs among Australian stallion ranks with 281 winners from 408 runners to date. He has already sired 26 winners at black-type level, headed by Group One winners Sunlight and Zoutori.

Five Zoustar yearlings are catalogued for Karaka 2022, including Lot 325, out of a Group Two-placed mare from the outstanding family of Valpolicella (NZ) (Red Ransom) and her four stakes-performing progeny, along with more than a dozen other close relatives who have won at black-type level.

 

Buyers who cannot physically attend the Sale are encouraged to participate via NZB’s user-friendly online bidding platform. Register for online bidding here.

New Zealand-based buyers and agents will be required to pre-register in order to physically attend the sale sessions held At Karaka. Domestic purchasers can apply to physically attend that Sale here.

All buyers will also need to register to purchase at Karaka 2022. Buyers can register to purchase by filling out the Buyer Registration form here or may fill in an Appointment of Agent form to purchase on their behalf here.

New Zealand-based agents are also available to complete inspections on behalf of international buyers at on-farm parades and at the iconic Karaka Sales Centre.

View the full Book 1 and 2 catalogues online here.

IMPORTANT DATES

• Vodafone New Zealand Derby Day at Ellerslie, Saturday 5 March
• Book 1: Monday 7 – Wednesday 9 March, commencing 11am (NZT)
• Book 2: Thursday 10 – Saturday 12 March, commencing 11am (NZT)
• Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day at Ellerslie, Sunday 13 March