Racing News

Booming Trade Kicks off Momentous Karaka 2026 NZB’s historic 100th National Yearling Sale kicked off with a solid first day of trade with increases across the average and median reflecting a healthy middle market. At the close of selling for the opening session, 207 lots sold for a total aggregate of more than $38 million. The average reached $184,529, a 12% increase on the Book 1 total last year, while the median closed at $140,000, an increase of 27%. Fittingly, Cambridge Stud who have been selling yearlings for more than 70 years at the National Yearling Sale, offered the top lot of the day. The blue-blooded Snitzel colt out of Amarelinha (Lot 265) was knocked down to Chris Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock for $850,000. “He’s a beautiful colt by a champion sire out of a NZB Filly of the Year in Amarelinha,” commented bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster. “We had a really good client who wanted to buy a good colt today, and hopefully he’s going to buy some good fillies tomorrow as well. “Buying off Cambridge Stud, you can’t go wrong,” he added. Another long-standing vendor, Hallmark Stud, offered the second top lot on Day One when Lot 93, a Super Seth colt out of Rozala, was purchased for $675,000 by KPW Bloodstock. “I thought this was just an outstanding colt, one of the best moving colts on the complex,” commented KPW Bloodstock’s Kevin ‘Milly’ Walls. NZB’s Director and Head Auctioneer Mike Kneebone commented on the first day of trade at the refreshed Book 1 Sale.  "We've taken on a massive challenge of selling across long nine hour days. To take that risk, condensing the catalogue, it's very rewarding to see the Sale start so well." "There are so many good horses spread across so many good stud farms. The first 20 horses were remarkable, and that flow continued all day. "To have 19 horses make $400,000 or more on the first day, when last year there was 26 in total, it indicates how well the Sale is travelling and a very healthy middle market. "As we know the second day is when everyone has their eye in. A lot of people came here today to buy a horse and they are still waiting. "There has been great feedback about the refreshed format and having all the Book 2 horses on the ground early. "It's also great to see both Australia and Hong Kong so active, and the Kiwis really stepping up. The clearance rate will continue to improve overnight, and we look forward to another strong day tomorrow." Selling continues on Monday for Day Two of Book 1, where lots 291 – 567 will go through the ring from 10am (NZT) at Karaka. The Sale is televised live on SKY Channel 263 and Freeview Channel 200 in New Zealand and on Racing.com in Australia, as well as on NZB’s website, online bidding platform and Facebook page. To enquire about Passed Lots contact Patrick Cunningham at +64 21 181 5898 or email Patrick.Cunningham@nzb.co.nz or Andrew Buick at +64 27 555 0640 or email Andrew.Buick@nzb.co.nz.     READ > New Zealand Bloodstock     Email Preferences   © New Zealand Bloodstock. 10 Hinau Road, Karaka, 2113, New Zealand.      

What happened with this fella… started race calling but not heard him for ages? Any idea?

Cox Plate!  

According to our expert on the Thoroughbred Facebook site, Birdcage Bill, it will be the Doncaster over 1600m. He can be a pain, but seems very knowledgeable. Well Written's 6th dam is Jocasta, a speedy Pakistan 11 filly. I doubt they would try her over more than 1600m

I thought it was lower than that 14.5% co-mingled 15.5% NZ only The only rort is that too many people went tote and that is how a totalisator works. $1.50 -55 FO was available for most of the day