The strong demand from the 100th National Yearling Sale continued onto NZB’s 2026 National Online Yearling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, which saw 104 lots catalogued and over $800,000 in receipts in a quick-fire digital session on Wednesday evening.
The highlight of the Sale came early, with Lot 18 being sold to Japanese buyer Golden Orchid Brothers Inc. for $70,000. The daughter of Sword of State from Savabeel mare, Sade was offered by Curraghmore, who shortly after offered Lot 29, a filly by Satono Aladdin who was purchased by leading buyers Stephen Marsh Racing and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock for $55,000.
“We were confident that we were offering yearlings that physically, were up to our usual Karaka standard,” commented Curraghmore principal Gordon Cunningham.
“On farm inspection levels were good with genuine enquiries from overseas also. There was competitive bidding for sure. That said, I feel our horses have been bought at value.
“It’s been a good Sale, so thank you and all the best to everyone who bid and purchased from us.”
The second top lot of the Sale was Lot 34, a Zousain colt from Highden Park that was snapped up by Hong Kong Bloodstock for $63,000, adding to the diverse buying bench, with Malaysian, Singapore and New Zealand buyers witnessed throughout selling.
NZB’s Bloodstock Sales Manager Kane Jones commented on the online session, which got underway on the Wednesday night after an unforeseen cyber attack earlier which delayed the Sale one day.
“Firstly, we would like to thank both our vendors and our buyers for their patience and understanding after a frustrating experience on the Tuesday night.”
“It was very pleasing to see the momentum from Karaka 2026 roll into this session, with significant increases across the aggregate, average and median.
“This speaks to the quality that was on offer and the flow on effect of a strong Karaka Summer Sale. I’d really like to acknowledge and congratulate those who got involved and purchased some lovely horses.
“The Karaka Millions eligibility continues to be a fantastic drawcard for this Sale, and we look forward to following these graduates on the racetrack and potentially seeing the next Well Written emerge.”’
All yearlings purchased are eligible to be nominated for NZB’s lucrative Karaka Millions Series. Just nine short months after they make their virtual sale-ring debut, graduates can compete for a share of the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) as well as the NZB Mega Maiden Series. Entries close Monday 4 May 2026.
Once you have made a purchase, every aspect can be managed by NZB including airfreight, transport, agistment, insurance and finance. Call the team on +64 9 298 0055 for assistance.
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.
View the final results here.
