Day Three of NZB’s 2025 National Yearling Sales Series rounded out Book 1 on Tuesday, with a solid day of trade on par with last year’s results.
At the close of selling, the Book 1 aggregate reached $75,322,500 from a slightly smaller offering of 588 yearlings, while the average rounded out at $164,819 and the clearance rate improved to 78%.
The Book 1 session was one for the history books when a record-breaking $2.4 million sale of Lot 345 took place on the second day, marking the most expensive filly to be purchased at Karaka and the highest priced yearling in 25 years.
NZB’s Managing Director Andrew Seabrook was pleased following the final day of Book 1.
“We said if we could get close to the incredible result of 2024, we’d be thrilled, and we are down just 5% for now, so we could not be happier.”
“We’ve been talking about how strong the international buying bench was here this week, but our domestic bench was outstanding.
“Given the state of the economy, we’ve just proven how resilient this industry is.”
It was a case of déjà vu when the highlight of Day Three, Lot 564, a full sister to Prowess (Proisir) offered by Hallmark Stud, was knocked down to Roger James and Robert Wellwood for $1.1 million.
Only a year earlier, Hallmark’s Mark Baker sold another full-sister to the star for $1.6 million.
“It’s a dream result,” he commented.
“To repeat these results two years in a row, that is surreal. It hasn’t sunk in yet.”
“It’s great for the family, her (Donna Marie’s) family, but our family. We are a small family-run stud farm.
“It was a great Sale. Our clients were well-rewarded for nice horses and our pinhooks were good to us.”
The second top lot of the day came when Lot 637 (Proisir x Golden Hind) sold for $850,000 to the bid of agent Dean Hawthorne.
The filly was offered by Curraghmore, who led the vendor by average tables and sold all 18 yearlings offered for an average of $322,222.
Securing his leading buyer title for another year was Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis, who purchased 26 yearlings over the last three days for a total spend of $4,497,500.
“We’re so lucky to have such a large group of owners here at the Sale, it makes us determined to buy more horses,” he commented.
“There are horses at all levels to purchase this week. We’ve bought some good horses out of Book 2 in the past too,” added Ellis.
For the first time, Karaka-based Haunui Farm took the title of leading vendor, selling 24 yearlings for $6,740,000.
“It’s an honour to be entrusted with such quality horses. We have some great clients that support us to bring their yearlings to the market, and it’s great to see them rewarded,” commented a delighted Mark Chitty.
“It’s a massive team effort not only by Haunui but also by NZB to bring the buyers to Karaka to participate in a wonderful sale.”
The leading sire for Book 1 was Coolmore’s popular Wootton Bassett, who sold nine yearlings for an average of $361,667, while his stablemate St Mark’s Basilica took the honours for the freshman stallions, with seven sold for an average of $235,714.
Attention now turns to Book 2 on Wednesday where the selling of lots 662 to 860 will get underway from 12pm (NZT) at Karaka.
Book 2 has been a happy hunting ground for Group One winners, highlighted by the likes of Queensland Derby winner Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree), Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) and Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood).
All yearlings purchased at Karaka 2025 are eligible to be nominated for NZB’s lucrative Karaka Millions Series, featuring the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO, $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO and the $1m NZB Mega Maiden Series. To nominate your yearling, contact finance@nzb.co.nz or call +64 9 298 0055. Entries close Monday 3 March 2025.
To enquire about Passed Lots from Book 1 contact Patrick Cunningham on +64 21 181 5898 or email Patrick.Cunningham@nzb.co.nz, or Andrew Buick on +64 27 555 0640 or email Andrew.Buick@nzb.co.nz.
View the full Book 1 results here.
Catch the highlights and Lot-by-Lot footage from Book 1 here.
Book 2 will be televised live in New Zealand on Freeview Channel 200, as well as on NZB’s website, online bidding platform and Facebook page.
Karaka 2025: Book 1 Statistics (as at end of selling)
| 2025 BOOK 1 TOTAL | 2024 BOOK 1 TOTAL | 2023 BOOK 1 TOTAL | 2022 BOOK 1 TOTAL | 2021 BOOK 1 TOTAL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AGGREGATE | $75,322,500 | $79,585,500 | $70,063,000 | $63,127,500 | $50,778,000 |
| AVERAGE | $164,819 | $168,257 | $151,980 | $146,808 | $123,248 |
| MEDIAN | $110,000 | $120,000 | $130,000 | $100,000 | $95,000 |
| CLEARANCE | 78% | 78% | 79% | 77% | 81% |
| CATALOGUED | 661 | 682 | 644 | 636 | 579 |
| OFFERED | 588 | 607 | 582 | 560 | 506 |
| SOLD | 457 | 473 | 461 | 430 | 412 |
| TOP LOT | Lot 345 Savabeel - Symphonic (Br.F) $2,400,000 | Lot 21 Proisir - Donna Marie (Ch.F) $1,600,000 | Lot 586 Fastnet Rock - Test the World (B.F) $1,000,000 | Lot 161 Savabeel - Chandelier (B.C) $1,000,000 | Lot 94 Zoustar - Scintillula (B.F) $800,000 |
Karaka 2025: Book 1 Day Three Top Lots
| Lot | Sire | Dam | Sex | Vendor | Purchaser | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 564 | Proisir | Donna Marie | Filly | Hallmark Stud | Mr RA James / Mr R Wellwood (Waikato) | $1,100,000. |
| 637 | Proisir | Golden Hind | Filly | Curraghmore | Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock (Waikato) | $850,000. |
| 628 | Sword of State | Fuld's Bet | Colt | Cambridge Stud | Mulberry Racing (NSW) | $540,000. |
| 579 | Savabeel | Embedded | Filly | Kilgravin Lodge | Busuttin Young Racing / Cameron Cooke Bloodstock (VIC) | $450,000. |
| 638 | Dundeel | Grace Augusta | Colt | Curraghmore | Stephen Marsh Racing / Dylan Johnson Bloodstock (Waikato) |
$450,000. |
Karaka 2025: Book 1 Top Lots Overall
| Lot | Sire | Dam | Sex | Vendor | Purchaser | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 345 | Savabeel | Symphonic | Filly | Haunui Farm | Mulcaster Bloodstock Ltd / Chris Waller Racing (NSW) | $2,400,000. |
| 564 | Proisir | Donna Marie | Filly | Hallmark Stud | Mr RA James / Mr R Wellwood (Waikato) | $1,100,000. |
| 637 | Proisir | Golden Hind | Filly | Curraghmore | Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock (Waikato) | $850,000. |
| 6 | Wootton Bassett | Il Affare | Colt | Curraghmore | Michael Freedman / Tom Magnier / Mick Wallace (NSW) | $725,000. |
| 335 | Proisir | Strada Cavallo | Filly | Curraghmore | DGR Thoroughbred Services (FBAA) / John Sargent Racing / Spicer Thoroughbreds (NSW) | $700,000. |
| 168 | Too Darn Hot | On the Ball | Filly | Curraghmore | James Harron Bloodstock Pty Ltd / Michael Freedman Racing / Tony Fung Filly Partnership (NSW) | $675,000. |
Karaka 2025: Book 1 Leading Purchasers by Aggregate
| Purchaser | Aggregate | Bought | Top Price | Top Lot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) (Te Akau) | $4,497,500. | 26 | $350,000 | 446 |
| Mulcaster Bloodstock Ltd / Chris Waller Racing (NSW) | $4,330,000. | 11 | $2,400,000 | 345 |
| KPW Bloodstock (QLD) | $2,410,000. | 14 | $170,000 | 78 |
| The Hong Kong Jockey Club (Hong Kong) | $2,370,000. | 6 | $625,000 | 11 |
| Mr RA James / Mr R Wellwood (Waikato) | $2,220,000. | 7 | $1,100,000 | 564 |
| Wexford Stables (Waikato) | $2,175,000. | 13 | $340,000 | 399 |
| Go Racing / Blandford Bloodstock (Waikato) | $1,855,000. | 10 | $375,000 | 188 |
| Stephen Marsh Racing / Dylan Johnson Bloodstock | $1,850,000. | 10 | $450,000 | 638 |
| Tartan Meadow Bloodstock (Hong Kong) | $1,685,000. | 4 | $600,000 | 457 |
| Mick Price Racing & Breeding (VIC) | $1,650,000. | 9 | $600,000 | 103 |
Karaka 2025: Book 1 Leading Vendors by Aggregate
| Vendor | Aggregate | Offered | Sold | Average | Top Price | Top Lot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haunui Farm | $6,740,000. | 30 | 24 | $280,833 | $2,400,000. | 345 |
| Waikato Stud | $5,880,000. | 50 | 45 | $130,667 | $380,000. | 573 |
| Curraghmore | $5,800,000. | 18 | 18 | $322,222 | $850,000. | 637 |
| Cambridge Stud | $4,425,000. | 39 | 32 | $138,281 | $540,000. | 628 |
| Elsdon Park | $3,860,000. | 29 | 24 | $160,833 | $450,000. | 266 |
| Landsdowne Park | $3,685,000. | 30 | 26 | $141,731 | $400,000. | 169 |
| Windsor Park Stud | $3,425,000. | 30 | 24 | $142,708 | $600,000. | 103 |
| Wentwood Grange | $3,420,000. | 28 | 23 | $148,696 | $460,000. | 377 |
| Trelawney Stud | $3,405,000. | 14 | 13 | $261,923 | $625,000. | 11 |
| Hallmark Stud | $3,390,000. | 18 | 15 | $226,000 | $1,100,000. | 564 |
Karaka 2025: Book 1 Leading Vendors by Average (three or more sold)
| Vendor | Offered | Sold | Average | Top Price | Top Lot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curraghmore | 18 | 18 | $322,222 | $850,000 | 637 |
| Haunui Farm | 30 | 24 | $280,833 | $2,400,000 | 345 |
| Trelawney Stud Ltd | 14 | 13 | $261,923 | $625,000 | 11 |
| Hallmark Stud | 18 | 15 | $226,000 | $1,100,000 | 564 |
| Milan Park | 6 | 5 | $202,000 | $475,000 | 356 |
| Highline Thoroughbreds | 10 | 7 | $192,857 | $560,000 | 440 |
| Kilgravin Lodge | 10 | 7 | $184,286 | $450,000 | 579 |
| Blandford Lodge | 10 | 7 | $183,571 | $600,000 | 457 |
| Woburn Farm | 19 | 13 | $180,769 | $400,000 | 260 |
| Rich Hill Stud | 27 | 18 | $169,167 | $525,000 | 149 |
Karaka 2025: Book 1 Leading Sires by Average (three or more sold)
| Sire | Offered | Sold | Average | Top Price | Top Lot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wootton Bassett | 10 | 9 | $361,667 | $725,000 | 6 |
| Savabeel | 42 | 35 | $287,143 | $2,400,000 | 345 |
| Too Darn Hot | 8 | 6 | $254,167 | $675,000 | 168 |
| Capitalist | 5 | 5 | $238,000 | $460,000 | 377 |
| St Mark's Basilica* | 10 | 7 | $235,714 | $360,000 | 595 |
| Proisir | 49 | 41 | $233,171 | $1,100,000 | 564 |
| Sword of State* | 22 | 20 | $201,500 | $540,000 | 628 |
| Dundeel | 6 | 6 | $196,667 | $450,000 | 638 |
| Toronado | 6 | 5 | $195,000 | $350,000 | 7 |
| Satono Aladdin | 39 | 29 | $170,690 | $525,000 | 149 |
*First season sire
Karaka 2025: Book 1 Leading First Season Sires by Average (three or more sold)
| Sire | Offered | Sold | Average | Top Price | Top Lot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Mark's Basilica | 10 | 7 | $235,714 | $360,000 | 595 |
| Sword of State | 22 | 20 | $201,500 | $540,000 | 628 |
| Home Affairs | 13 | 9 | $168,889 | $340,000 | 174 |
| Wild Ruler | 3 | 3 | $166,667 | $380,000 | 331 |
| Pinatubo | 5 | 4 | $136,250 | $230,000 | 570 |
| Noverre | 17 | 16 | $135,625 | $310,000 | 445 |
| Palace Pier | 3 | 3 | $123,333 | $175,000 | 206 |
| Acrobat | 5 | 4 | $98,125 | $160,000 | 511 |
| Armory | 9 | 6 | $73,333 | $120,000 | 604 |
