Chief Stipe

FFS @hesi the clearance rate is on the same page as the press release!!! It was 77% - previous 3 years 78, 78 and 79. The clearance rate improves over the course of the sale as passed in lots are negotiared over. 23% passed in is a factor of seller unrealistic reserves, faults in horse comformation and the current market fashion. The fact is this sale is as good as any Karaka Sale. Spin is where someone is trying to paint a good picture of a sows ear. The results in the article speaks for themselves.

Come on @hesi you can do better than that. All the detail is on the website. At the end of Day 1 the clearance rate was 77%. Only 1% below the final clearance rate for the last 2 years. I expect that the clearance figure will increase. So 100-77 = 23% passed in.

What spin? $38m worth of bloodstock sold Day 1. Average and mean up. Very bouyant.

Yeah I'm surprised that @Newmarket didn't know that. Perhaps he doesn't like the wagering monopoly the HKJC has and doesn't tune in.

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.

And the NZ tote is?

How is it a "rort"? The tote auto set the odds based on betd taken less the takeout. What was the takeout percentage?

So you went Fixed odds at a $1.50?

By Written Tycoon. Only one offspring gone 2000m.

The KM Races were in the World Pool run by the HKJC.

I gather you have returned from your Christmas/New Year pensioners bus trip and intend to continue 2026 as you left off 2025. You really don't have any original ideas do you? The 100 years of Sales in New Zealand must bring back memories for you. Trentham would have been the last time you bought a yearling.

Well that doesn't mean much given you don't rate anything about NZ Racing. I'm surprised you haven't mentioned that Well Written is actually pinhooked out of an OZ sale.

They've been under bidders on a few good ones.

I think it is only a small group of very loud disenfranchised who have always struggled in the industry. None of whom seem able to act collectively to focus on the key issues - tracks, programming and handicapping.

Thats what I just said. Some advantages to spelling and training up here.

The Karaka sales 2026 look quite buoyant so far. Good prices and not many passed in.

Is that online chit chat or confirmed? Regardless you don't need to "set up" in OZ to campaign a horse there.

You missed my point. Until now you haven't rated any of the rest now you are rating Well Written a "freak".

Nor Belle Cheval.

After the KiwiB she will be heading to OZ.

Geez they are early 2yr olds. There hasn't been many Grp races this season yet.

To class her as a "freak" you must rate the horses she is beating.

Uh? How can you rank a 2yr old as"3rd tier"?

Well Written passed my last test and that was to see her covered up and needing to take some rough and tumble to get clear and moving. She did that well. I'm not as enthusiastic about her race sectionals as some are. The run yesterday that caught my eye was Sweynesday.

Well no OZ Grp 1 features in the top 10 world ratings. But yes our Grp 1's are struggling to hold status especially WFA and Open Class. Part of my theory is that the sit and sprint style of racing that has taken hold is making our horses weaker. They are just not used to maintaining a high cruise and then sprinting off that. It was great to see some class Jockeys not afraid to go forward at the start, sit wide or go early on the bend.