Are Kiwi buyers getting priced out of Karaka 2026?

[Chief Stipe]

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

[hesi]

22% gone to NZ buyers so far

[Chief Stipe]

1 minute ago, hesi said:

22% gone to NZ buyers so far

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

[hesi]

Basically a fifth are going to NZ, is that typical.

Many will be waiting for Book 2 to try and get a bargain

[curious]

32 minutes ago, hesi said:

Basically a fifth are going to NZ, is that typical.

Many will be waiting for Book 2 to try and get a bargain

I have an average about 50% across books 1 and 2 the last couple of years.

[Chief Stipe]

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.

 

 

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