There will be no resting on laurels for New Zealand Bloodstock after last week’s record-shattering Ready to Run Sale. Instead, the release of the catalogues for Karaka 2024 has launched the countdown to the pinnacle event on the sales calendar.
The 98th National Yearling Sales Series will take place at Karaka from Sunday 28 January to Friday 2 February. The catalogues, which are now available to view online, contain an exceptional selection of 682 yearlings in Book 1 and another 442 in Book 2.
The National Yearling Sales Series is New Zealand Bloodstock’s flagship event and has launched the careers of countless racetrack stars in recent years. In a season for the ages, Karaka graduates dominated the Group One races with a staggering haul across Australasia last season.
Triple Group One winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood) won the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) in Sydney in the spring, followed by an elite summer double on home soil in the Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and the New Zealand Derby (2400m). The $55,000 Book 2 purchase earned more than $3 million during his three-year-old season and was named New Zealand’s Horse of the Year.
Sensational three-year-old fillies Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) and Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) each recorded Group One wins on both sides of the Tasman – Legarto in the New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and the Australian Guineas (1600m), and Prowess in the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2050m) and the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m).
The momentum of Karaka graduates and Kiwi horses has continued into the spring of 2023, with additional elite-level successes for Ladies Man (NZ) (Zed) in the Livamol Classic (2040m), Atishu (NZ) in the A$3m Champions Stakes (2000m), and Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High) in the New Zealand 1000 Guineas.
The catalogues for Karaka 2024 are loaded with well-credentialled candidates to follow in some of those famous footsteps. The pedigree pages are saturated with black-type, featuring plenty of progeny of stakes-winning mares and dozens of siblings to top-class performers.
There are siblings to Group One superstars such as Prowess, Lucia Valentina (NZ) (Savabeel), Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle), Turn Me Loose (NZ) (Iffraaj), Pennyweka (NZ) (Satono Aladdin), Affaire A Suivre (NZ) (Astern), Seabrook (NZ) (Hinchinbrook), Sierra Sue (NZ) (Darci Brahma), Ruthless Dame (NZ) (Tavistock) and Manzoice (Almanzor), along with exciting up-and-comers like Coeur Volante (NZ) (Proisir) and the stakes-winning unbeaten New Zealand two-year-old Velocious (Written Tycoon).
The Book 1 catalogue also features the first foals out of Group One-performed mares Miss Sentimental (NZ) (Reliable Man), Rondinella (NZ) (Ocean Park), Evalina (I Am Invincible), Bargain (NZ) (Ocean Park) and Bavella (Snitzel).
Over 100 sires are represented in the catalogues, from big names like Savabeel, Proisir, I Am Invincible, Justify, Almanzor, Per Incanto, Ocean Park and Snitzel to a big line up of first-season stallions with New Zealand-based Hello Youmzain, Circus Maximus, King Of Comedy, Banquo, Admire Mars and Ancient Spirit to debut.
The stage is set for a week-long thoroughbred extravaganza in Auckland, starting with an extraordinary TAB Karaka Millions race day at the new and improved Ellerslie Racecourse on Saturday 27 January. The six-race card now carries total stakes of $4.45m, headed by the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and the all-new $1m Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) for four-year-olds.
Coolmore Australia’s Tom Magnier confirms the status of the Sale as a must-attend event.
“You have to take this Sale seriously every year, because there is always a champion that comes out.”
“There’s nowhere in the world that looks after you like New Zealand, the hospitality is fantastic from every farm. Without a doubt, it is the best week on the sales calendar anywhere in the world,” stated Magnier.
NZB’s Managing Director Andrew Seabrook is looking forward to the annual yearling harvest.
“The catalogues are the biggest numbers we’ve had in years and the quality of the pedigrees and types on offer easily matches it.
“We are buoyed by the demand for our Kiwi horses and our team will be busy in the coming months promoting the Sale and getting the best possible buying bench established.”
The catalogues for Karaka 2024 can be viewed online now, with physical copies set to arrive in mailboxes soon.
Online bidding is available for all prospective purchasers via bidonline.nzb.co.nz, plus an extensive online catalogue via www.nzb.co.nz that will host pedigrees, parade videos and photos, updates, and important information to assist buying decisions.
Sale Schedule
Book 1: Lot 1 – 682
Day One: Sunday 28 January Lot 1 – 240 from 10am (NZT)
Day Two: Monday 29 January Lot 241 – 480 from 10am (NZT)
Day Three: Tuesday 30 January Lot 481 – 682 from 10am (NZT)
Book 2: Lot 683 – 1125
Day One: Wednesday 31 January Lot 683 – 800 from 11am (NZT)
Day Two: Thursday 1 February Lot 801 – 970 from 11am (NZT)
Day Three: Friday 2 February Lot 971 – 1125 from 11am (NZT)
To request a catalogue or for general sale information, contact info@nzb.co.nz or call +64 9 298 0055. For bloodstock enquiries, contact NZB Bloodstock Sales Manager Kane Jones on kane.jones@nzb.co.nz or call +64 27 274 4985
