After an action-packed five days of trading at Karaka 2025, results have been accumulated from the Book 1 and Book 2 yearling sessions held from 26 January to 30 January at the Karaka Sales Centre.
751 yearlings sold for an aggregate of $86,321,500, while the clearance rate surged to an impressive 80% for both sessions combined. The combined average was $114,942, while the median settled at a solid $80,000.
While international spend accounted for 54.5% of the turnover, it was the domestic buying bench that really stepped up, with Kiwis outlaying $39,242,500 across 435 lots.
The highlight of the week was the $2,400,000 purchase by Guy Mulcaster and Chris Waller (Lot 345) on behalf of New Zealand owner Glenn Ritchie. The Savabeel filly out of Symphonic (NZ) was purchased from Haunui Farm’s draft and is the highest priced filly to be sold at Karaka.
The second highest-priced lot came on the final day of Book 1 when Kingsclere Stables trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood went to $1,100,000 to secure Lot 564, a Proisir filly out of Donna Marie (NZ) from Hallmark Stud.
The well-attended week of selling was kick started by the running of the TAB Karaka Millions raceday held at Ellerslie Racecourse where La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) took out the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), while Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel) won the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO, for a Te Akau Racing double.
The biggest raceday on the calendar which for the first time combined with the World Pool, generated a record turnover of $9.5 million wagered on the meeting.
NZB’s Managing Director Andrew Seabrook commented on the final results.
“The figures don’t disguise the fact that there has been a softening in the market. The positive to come out of this Sale is the good increase in clearance rate.”
“We have seen a reduction in the average and median, compared with last year’s record Sale, which I think can be directly attributed to the state of the economy. It’s not at all reflective of the positivity that’s in the racing industry at the moment and the great vibe that’s been around all week.
“The Kiwi spend was particularly pleasing and a sign of the positive steps forward in New Zealand.
“Our thanks goes out to the vendors, preparers, buyers and underbidders who all combined to make the 2025 edition of Karaka one to remember.”
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 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.
Revisit all the video highlights and Lot-by-Lot footage from Karaka 2025 here.
View the Passed Lots for each catalogue here:
Book 1
Book 2
inal Karaka 2025 Combined Final Statistics
| 2025 COMBINED TOTAL | 2024 COMBINED TOTAL | 2023 COMBINED TOTAL | 2022 COMBINED TOTAL | 2021 COMBINED TOTAL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregate | $86,321,500 | $91,842,000 | $82,091,500 | $74,382,500 | $60,996,500 |
| Average | $114,942 | $122,783 | $111,235 | $106,109 | $94,276 |
| Median | $80,000 | $90,000 | $80,000 | $70,000 | $62,500 |
| Clearance | 80% | 76% | 77% | 75% | 82% |
| Catalogued | 1088 | 1125 | 1079 | 1103 | 918 |
| Withdrawn | 146 | 141 | 121 | 156 | 127 |
| Offered | 940 | 984 | 958 | 947 | 791 |
| Passed | 189 | 236 | 220 | 246 | 144 |
| Lots Sold | 751 | 748 | 738 | 701 | 647 |
| Top Price | $2,400,000 | $1,600,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $800,000 |
