Cover image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
With the 98th National Yearling Sales Series now just two months away, New Zealand Bloodstock (NZB) on Monday released its catalogues for the six-day sale, which begins on January 28, 2024 at Karaka.
Book 1 boasts 682 yearlings, while Book 2 has 442. These numbers are slightly up on 2023 (644 yearlings in Book 1, 435 in a quality Book 2).
More importantly, NZB’s Managing Director Andrew Seabrook said the quality is better than ever.
“I think the stallion strength is the strongest we’ve seen for a few years. The past 12-24 months… it’s certainly the strongest New Zealand stallions have been performing for a number of years,” Seabrook told The Thoroughbred Report.
“I think the stallion strength is the strongest we’ve seen for a few years. The past 12-24 months… it’s certainly the strongest New Zealand stallions have been performing for a number of years.” - Andrew Seabrook
“The number of Australian mares to come over to be served by New Zealand stallions is the highest it’s been, and New Zealand mares going to Australia this year was the lowest for a number of years; that signals the stallion strength here in New Zealand.
“We’ve had strong support from New Zealand breeders this year and I think we’ve seen fewer horses going offshore.”
NZB's Managing Director Andrew Seabrook | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Over 100 sires are represented, including big guns such as Savabeel, Proisir, I Am Invincible, Snitzel, Justify (USA), Almanzor (Fr), Per Incanto (USA) and Ocean Park (NZ), as well as exciting young stallions like Hello Youmzain (Fr), Circus Maximus (Ire), King Of Comedy, Banquo, Admire Mars (Jpn) and Ancient Spirit (Ger).
“We didn’t have any of Satono Aladdin’s progeny in the sales this year because of COVID, so it’s great to have them back in the book. In fact, Rich Hill Stud is on a bit of a high, as they also have Ace High, who is doing a nice job… Molly Bloom handed him his first Group 1 just recently,” Seabrook commented.
“There’s a nice crop of first-season sires, including Hello Youmzain and Circus Maximus.
“There’s a nice crop of first-season sires, including Hello Youmzain and Circus Maximus.” - Andrew Seabrook
“Per Incanto continues to do a fine job in Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong, there’s plenty of talk around Super Seth, and Contributer had a good sale last week at the Ready to Run Sale.”
The Book 1 catalogue features the first foals out of Group 1-performed mares Miss Sentimental (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}), Rondinella (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), Evalina (I Am Invincible), Bargain (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) and Bavella (Snitzel).
And there are siblings to Group 1 stars such as Prowess (NZ) (Proisir), Lucia Valentina (NZ) (Savabeel), Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}), Turn Me Loose (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}), Pennyweka (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}), Affaire A Suivre (NZ) (Astern), Seabrook (NZ) (Hinchinbrook), Sierra Sue (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), Ruthless Dame (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and Manzoice (Almanzor {Fr}), along with exciting up-and-comers like 3-year-old filly Coeur Volante (NZ) (Proisir) and the unbeaten stakes-winning 2-year-old Velocious (Written Tycoon).
Gallery: Some of the first-season sires represented at NZB's National Yearling Sales Series
“The catalogues are the biggest numbers we’ve had in years and the quality of the pedigrees and types on offer easily matches it,” said Seabrook.
“We are buoyed by the demand for our Kiwi horses and our team will be busy in the coming months promoting the Sale and getting the best possible buying bench established.”
“The catalogues are the biggest numbers we’ve had in years and the quality of the pedigrees and types on offer easily matches it.” - Andrew Seabrook
Coolmore Australia’s Tom Magnier confirms the status of the sale as a must-attend event.
“You have to take this Sale seriously every year, because there is always a champion that comes out,” Magnier said.
“You have to take this sale seriously every year, because there is always a champion that comes out.” - Tom Magnier
“There’s nowhere in the world that looks after you like New Zealand, the hospitality is fantastic from every farm.
“Without a doubt, it is the best week on the sales calendar anywhere in the world.”
Coolmore Australia's Tom and Charlie Magnier | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Riding a wave of momentum
Notwithstanding the fact that this is a completely different sale, and the market, while similar, isn’t the same, Seabrook said NZB is heartened by the results of last week’s record-breaking Ready to Run Sale, which grossed NZ$35,107,000 - up 39 per cent on 2022.
The sale’s average skyrocketed from NZ$129,159 last year to NZ$156,031, while 12 2-year-olds sold for NZ$500,000 or more.
“It’s certainly given everyone here a spring in their step and some confidence,” Seabrook explained.
“It’s (the 2023 NZB Ready to Run Sale) certainly given everyone here a spring in their step and some confidence.” - Andrew Seabrook
“I’m sure the momentum is going to go into Karaka, but I’d be a fool if I thought we would achieve the results that we did there.
“It’s put NZ$10 million more than last year’s Ready to Run Sale into vendors’ pockets, so there’s NZ$10 million extra that’s been distributed to the industry here in New Zealand, which has got to be great.
“And it will give the pinhookers the confidence to go again.”
New Zealand Bloodstock's 2023 Ready to Run Sale experienced record-breaking results | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Another shot in the arm in New Zealand in recent times has been the backing by Ladbrokes’ owner Entain, which has signed a 25-year strategic partnership with the New Zealand TAB after committing to investing NZ$820 million in the racing industry (all three codes) over five years. As part of this deal, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) will receive NZ$87 million in the first year.
“Just as important as the sale last week is the involvement of Entain here and what they’ve brought to the industry, with increases in prizemoney and new initiatives - and we haven’t seen the last of them, there will be more announcements made over the coming months,” Seabrook added.
“The whole outlook has completely changed since they came on board. And they came just in the nick of time, because things were getting pretty grim here.
“Everyone has just been so impressed with Entain, their management and what they’ve brought to the table. They’ve been a saviour and long may it continue.
“Everyone has just been so impressed with Entain, their management and what they’ve brought to the table. They’ve been a saviour and long may it continue.” - Andrew Seabrook
“It’s all pretty exciting, really, so I can’t wait for Karaka.”
A star-studded honour roll
There’s been no shortage of Group 1 winners to come out of this sale.
Graduates to score in top company during the 2022/23 season include Affaire A Suivre, Atishu, Dunkel (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}), Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry {Ire}), He’s A Doozy (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}), Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), Legarto (NZ) (Proisir), Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High) and Prowess and Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood {GB}).
Other elite-level sale graduates include Efficient (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), Mufhasa (NZ) (Pentire {GB}), So You Think (NZ), Tavistock (NZ), Ocean Park, Sacred Falls (NZ) and Kermadec (NZ).
Gallery: Some of the elite level sale graduates
The week-long extravaganza kicks off with the Karaka Millions Raceday at the new and improved Ellerslie Racecourse on Saturday, January 27. The six-race card now carries total stakes of NZ$4.45million, headed by the NZ$1 million R. Listed Millions 2YO (1200 metres), the NZ$1.5 million R. Listed Millions 3YO (1600 metres) and the all-new NZ$1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600 metres) for 4-year-olds. The sale commences with Book 1 from 10am NZT on Sunday, January 28.
