Cover image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Written by Caitlin Smith
New Zealand Bloodstock released its 2024 National Weanling Sale catalogue on Monday. With 150 lots set to go under the hammer on Thursday, June 20, The Thoroughbred Report caught up with New Zealand Bloodstock's Sales Manager Kane Jones ahead of the release.
This year has once again seen outstanding achievements by New Zealand-bred stock, with 'Kiwi Breds' contributing nearly 12 per cent of Australia's stakes races, including eight at Group 1 level. From the remarkable Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) who clinched four Group 1 wins this season, to Orchestral's (NZ) (Savabeel) triumph in the G1 Vinery Stud S., New Zealand remains synonymous for producing quality bloodstock.
In it's new standalone format, New Zealand Bloodstock's National Weanling Sale offers a prime opportunity for both pinhookers and end-users to acquire top-tier stock, backed by a proven track record of on-track success and lucrative investment returns.
The 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling catalogue produced Pingin (NZ) (Staphanos {Jpn}), a NZ$15,000 purchase who later won the G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce S., while Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) winner of the (RL) Karaka Million 2YO was bought for just NZ$50,000.
Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images)
Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) was secured for a mere NZ$5,000 in 2017. She went on to achieve remarkable success, clinching the G1 New Zealand Oaks and G2 Eight Carat Classic titles, ultimately earning the title of New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year for the 2019/2020 season.
Similarly, the accomplished Callsign Mav (NZ) (Altante) was acquired for just NZ$3000 from the 2017 catalogue before claiming multiple top-flight victories, including the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. in Australia, as well as the G1 Tarzino Trophy and the G1 Windsor Park Plate in his birth country.
Jones is particularly excited to showcase the market a strong group of weanlings by highly-commercial sires. “The strength of our stallions both proven and emerging in New Zealand is exceptional and there is a really strong lineup of weanlings by commercial stallions in this year's catalogue”.
Gallery: The New Zealand Bloodstock's National Weanling Sale has produced some remarkable racehorses
Among this year's quality offering, buyers will have the opportunity to secure young-stock from established sires such as Proisir (9), Savabeel (1), Almanzor (4), Per Incanto (3), Sweynesse (5), and Shocking (3).
The catalogue also features progeny from up-and-coming sires including Super Seth (3), Ace High (3), Ardrossan (4), Satono Aladdin (8), U S Navy Flag (1), Hello Youmzain (2), Circus Maximus (3), and King of Comedy (5). Additionally, first-season sires such as Sword of State (12), Noverre (4), Armory (3), The Chosen One (2), St Mark’s Basilica (1), and Wooded (1) are represented.
On the dams’ side, the catalogue boasts progeny from 15 stakes-performing mares and 20 siblings to stakes-performers. Notable pedigrees include names like Coeur Volante (NZ) (Proisir), Holymanz (NZ) (Almanzor), Honorable Spirit (Charm Spirit), Pudding (NZ) (Tavistock), and Whimsical (NZ) (Savabeel). While it is a smaller weanling catalogue than previous editions (183 down to 150), Jones highlights that the catalogue boasts quality over quantity.
Kane Jones | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“It’s probably a reflection of the decline in the foal crop and a prevalence in online sales as well, but a slightly smaller catalogue certainly means a high quality catalogue".
With a quality lineup set for sale, Jones expects strong interest from both international and domestic pin-hookers.
“I fully expect the pinhookers to be really active at the sale. There is still a real demand for quality weanlings and quality horses across the board and having visited Australia recently there is good interest in our sale, and I know there's plenty of internationals' that have got the sale on their radar”.
“I fully expect the pinhookers to be really active at the sale. There is still a real demand for quality weanlings and quality horses across the board... I know there's plenty of internationals' that have got the sale on their radar”. - Kane Jones
“While there has been a number of successful pin-hooks from the sale, the obvious recent one is the Per Incanto colt out of She's Apples who sold for NZ$150,000 at this sale last year and then made NZ$500,000 at Karaka earlier this year".
In a further boost for buyers, Jones emphasises that pinhookers and end-users alike can buy with confidence particularly as all weanlings offered are eligible to be nominated for New Zealand Bloodstock’s lucrative Karaka Millions Series. Graduates can compete for a share in the NZ$1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), followed by the NZ$1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) as well as the new $1m Mega Maiden Series comprising of 40 non-Saturday maiden races located throughout New Zealand.
“Obviously these weanlings are eligible to be entered in the Karaka Millions Series, so that’s a huge incentive in itself.
Pin-hooker success, Per Incanto x She's Apples (colt) | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“We've seen New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka Millions series really go from strength to strength. We noticed a substantial increase in nominations from Karaka this year and we really expect that momentum to carry on going forward".
Weanlings entered in the Sale will be available for inspections at the on-farm parades and on-site at Karaka Sales Centre, with New Zealand Bloodstock agents available to inspect on behalf of buyers.
