Five things we learned at Karaka Day 1 in 2025

12 min read
The crowds are great, but the financial markers are down on last year's record breaking sale. TTR AusNZ run through five key points of interest from the opening day of New Zealand Bloodstock’s (NZB) Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1).

Cover image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

At A Glance

The Day 1 aggregate of NZ$22,605,000 is down from last year’s record of NZ$30,725,5000 and is on par with the 2023 first day figure of NZ$22,420,000. In 2025, of the 250 lots catalogued for the first day, 224 yearlings went through the ring compared to 215 in 2024.

Sunday’s average of NZ$172,557 was down on 2024’s day 1 average of NZ$195,704, but is better than the previous two years with an average of NZ$160,143 in 2023, and NZ$159,067 in 2022.

As with the other markers, the median finished lower at NZ$120,000, down from 2024's record of NZ$150,000, and this was also down on both 2023’s median NZ$147,500 and 2022 at NZ$125,000.

At the conclusion of Sunday’s trade, the clearance rate with 164 lots sold sat at 73.6 per cent, was higher than the 155 lots sold in 2024 at 73 per cent, so vendors are meeting the market.

Lot 6 was the Day 1 sale-topper selling to Michael Freedman/Tom Magnier/Mick Wallace for NZ$725,000, which is well down on the 2024 sale topping figure of N$1.6 million. The Wootton Bassett (GB) colt was sold by Curraghmore.

Te Akau’s David Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) was the leading buyer by aggregate on Day 1, spending NZ$2.2 million on 12 yearlings at an average of NZ$168,333. This was down on his Day 1 leading spend of NZ$3.4 million in 2024 at an average of NZ$242,900.

The leading buyer by average (three or more) was Hong Kong Jockey Club; they averaged NZ$436,670 on three yearlings.

The leading vendor by aggregate was Curraghmore, who sold 8 lots for a gross of NZ$2.4 million at an average of NZ$267,500, assisted by the top lot.

The leading sire by aggregate is Proisir whose 14 yearlings on Day 1 sold for NZ$2.55 million, while the leading sire by average (three or more sold) was Wootton Bassett (GB), with four yearlings averaging NZ$496,250.

The leading first season sire was Cambridge Stud’s Sword Of State, whose 11 sales on Day 1 grossed NZ$1.49 million at an average of NZ$139,450.

#1. The vibe is strong

With carparks hard to find, one of the noticeable things about day 1 was the crowd size at the Karaka sale yard. This didn’t translate to the same record figures seen in 2024, but a higher clearance rate shows that the crowds did result in more horses finding new homes.

“The traffic’s been really good through the complex. We’ve noticed that the last year numbers are up on every day, and with both domestic and international buyers. From our end we are very happy with the reception and how our stock have been received,” said Nick Fairweather of Carlaw Park.

Karaka Auditorium on Day 1 | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

“I wasn’t there (at Karaka Millions day) but I’ve had good feedback on the night. It sounds like it was a very successful night, especially given prizemoney and how that relates to the sale here. It just continues to build into a very good event and an amazing few days for buyers and vendors alike. Very happy with how it’s been going.”

James Harron has extended his fillies strategy to include the New Zealand Bloodstock sale, and he purchased Lot 168, a Too Darn Hot (GB) filly for NZ$675,000. “It’s great to be back. It’s fantastic, the (New Zealand) horses do the talking. We see how well they perform in the autumn in Sydney, some superstars that we dream about getting our hands on,” said Harron.

“We’ll be looking for what New Zealand does well, the mile and middle distance fillies and Classic types.”

Lot 168 - Too Darn Hot (GB) x On The Ball (NZ) (filly) | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

#2. Ellis is still the King of Karaka

Fresh off his eighth winner in the R. Listed Karaka Millions 2YO on Saturday with La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth), David Ellis resumed his usual position as the leading buyer at the Karaka sale. He opened the sale with strength buying Lots 3 and 4 for NZ$100,000 and NZ$320,000 respectively, then grabbed Lot 55, a Wootton Bassett (GB) filly for NZ$320,000. He ended Day 1 with 12 lots purchased on his own, and another in conjunction with Fortuna Racing.

Gallery: Some of the yearlings purchased by David Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ), images courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

“(Lot 55) could run in the race (Karaka Millions) next year, she has a lot of quality. A good mature filly, a lovely moving type and reinforces our opinion that Wootton Bassett is going to be a great sire in Southern Hemisphere, just as he is in the North.” Bought from Landsdowne Park, the filly is out of Lady Iveagh (More Than Ready {USA}), a winning half-sister to Champion 3YO Filly Samantha Miss (Redoute’s Choice) dam of Miss Fabulass (Frankel {GB}).

“This filly was bought from Landsdowne Park, they are a really good operator who breed really good horses. We are thrilled to have her to train.”

On the first day of the sale, Ellis said, “There's been some great buying. The really top horses are making their money, but in the middle of the market, there’s been some great buying. We’ve bought 11 so far and hope to get a few more.”

David Ellis inspecting yearlings at Karaka | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

His 13 purchases ranged from NZ$340,000 to NZ$50,000 and averaged NZ$166,000. His aggregate spend on day 1 of NZ$2.55 million was down on his Day 1 leading spend of NZ$3.4 million in 2024 at an average of NZ$242,900.

#3. Boomer Bloodstock bounced off a great day

Boomer Bloodstock won two of the juvenile races in Australia on Saturday with Shining Smile (Spirit Of Boom) and Open Secret (King’s Legacy), and immediately backed that up with several purchases on Sunday for the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Bred by Mr SB Seamer, Shining Smile was a $160,000 weanling purchase for Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA) from Robyn Wise’s Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale draft in 2023.

“It’s exciting to have a runner in those races and for them to perform how they did was brilliant for the owners and everyone involved,” said Craig Rounsefell of Boomer Bloodstock.

“It’s exciting to have a runner in those (juvenile) races and for them to perform how they did was brilliant for the owners and everyone involved.” - Craig Rounsefell

“Scott Seamer bred Shining Smile, and I’ve bought two out of the mare before. One of the early ones from the mare, he showed a lot of ability, then one night in a storm, he jumped the fence and broke his elbow. He came back as an older horse. He didn’t reach the heights we wanted but he was still a city class horse.

“I bought a filly, a half to Shining Smile, and she had shown a lot of ability and then she had a foot abscess that blew out and she’s just getting back now. So there’s a bit of back knowledge on the family.

“When I saw him, he was an absolute standout as a physical. (Buying) at the weanling sales is not something I do often but I loved him and with the knowledge on the mare, I thought we really should try and buy this horse. Fortunately I had a client, Victor Lee in Hong Kong who came in. After we bought him we sent him to Three Bridges to grow out to be a racehorse in their really big paddocks. He's just one of those sound tough natural 2-year-olds, a good fun horse.

“He’s a colt too, he has a fantastic pedigree too out of a Canny Lad mare, he’s got Vain, and the dam’s a half to the mother of Starspangledbanner. If he can pull it off (the G1 Blue Diamond), he’s got stallion potential too.”

Craig Rounsefell | Image courtesy of Angelique Bridson

Open Secret was offered by Middlebrook Valley Lodge at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale on behalf of breeders M & R Services, where she was bought for $150,000 by her trainer, John Thompson, in conjunction with Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA).

“Open Secret looks a very exciting filly. I’ve started helping John Thompson at the yearling sales and she was lot 1 at the Classic Sale, we just loved her. My dad owns a share, Bill Andrews, Bill Fletcher and others and it was great to get that result. We had another owner in her that got sick, so there was a delay in naming her and she missed those early races before Christmas. We had to tip her out and she’s done that off one trial.”

Boomer Bloodstock purchased three lots on behalf of the Hong Kong Jockey Club for NZ$1.3 million, starting out early with Lot 11, a Savabeel colt who cost NZ$625,000 from Trelawney Stud’s draft. He is the third foal of Listed winner Indecision (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA). “He is a Savabeel colt who is ideal for our program. He is a late November type, a later-maturing type. He is off a great farm in Trelawney, one of the best farms in New Zealand. We just loved him on type. He is a very athletic, sound looking horse with a great temperament.”

Lot 22 followed for NZ$160,000 and he’s a Per Incanto (USA) colt from Elsdon Park’s draft, out of Isla’s Dream (Rothesay) who is a half-sister to Listed winner and G1 ARC Railway S.-placed Evalina (I Am Invincible). The third buy of the day for Hong Kong Jockey Club was Lot 149, and the Satono Aladdin (Jpn) colt cost NZ$525,000.

Gallery: Some of Craig Rounsefell's purchases for the Hong Kong Jockey Club

“This guy, I absolutely loved him, he was the physical we are always looking to see and when I found him, it’s pretty exciting. He’s a stallion whose done very well in this part of the world. From where he started, he’s done such a fantastic job, and with the mare being proven on the cross but he was the right physical which is the main thing, he’s just perfect for our system. He’ll go to the Hong Kong sale in a couple of years.

“The mares proven, the full sibling is a Group 2 winner and I’m really excited to get this one.”

Out of unraced mare No More Doubt (Redoute’s Choice), Lot 149’s 4-year-old full brother Lantern Way (NZ) won the G2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas last season and his granddam is G1 Thorndon Mile winner Say No More (NZ) (Pentire {GB}).

“There’s always opportunities here, but the buying bench is here so for the nice horses, you do have to step up,” said Rounsefell on the state of the market on day one.

#4. Wootton Bassett progeny fly off the shelves

Coolmore Stud struck early in the sale with Lot 6, a Wootton Bassett (GB) colt from Curraghmore’s draft. Bought for NZ$725,000 by Michael Freedman/Tom Magnier/Mick Wallace, the colt is the first foal of Group 2-placed winner Il Affare (Dundeel {NZ}) who is a half-sister to G3 HKJC National Day Cup winner Full Of Beauty (Darci Brahma {NZ}). He remained the sale topper for the whole day.

“I just loved him,” Freedman said. “He’s a lovely moving horse and the stallion couldn’t be going any better.

“I just loved him (Lot 6). He’s a lovely moving horse and the stallion (Wootton Bassett) couldn’t be going any better.” - Michael Freedman

“We’ve known the Coolmore boys for a long time and back in the day, we trained quite a few for them. Tom and I have been chatting for a little while about trying to do something together and obviously he is by their stallion. He was a colt that he really liked, so it just worked out well.”

Mick Price Racing and Breeding purchased Lot 103 for NZ$600,000. “I think he (Wootton Bassett) is an amazing stallion. His stock go very well. He is a beautiful colt and could be a stud type if we get the right form with him,” Price said.

Sold by Windsor Park Stud, Lot 103 is a three-quarter brother to G3 Rotorua S. winner Francesa (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) and they are both out of winning mare Matagouri (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}). This is the family of $1 million earner and G3 Gunsynd Classic winner Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}).

Gallery: Progeny of Wootton Bassett (GB) was in high demand on Day 1, images courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

All up, Wootton Bassett had four yearlings on offer on Day 1, and all four sold for NZ$725,000, NZ$600,000, NZ$340,000 and NZ$320,000. He has six remaining to go through over the next couple of days.

#5. Waikato buyers lead the way

Waikato based buyers led the day with 44 lots purchased for a gross of NZ$6 million, while it was Victoria who led the Australian buyers with 28 lots for a tick over NZ$5 million at an average of NZ$179,000. NSW chimed in at third place by gross with 17 lots bought for NZ$3.97 million at a stronger average than Victoria, being NZ$233,000.

Hong Kong was the leading region for Day 1 by average with 8 lots bought at an average of NZ$356,000.

Lots by buyer location

Waikato44$6,045,000$137,386
Victoria28$5,015,000$179,107
New South Wales17$3,970,000$233,529
Hong Kong8$2,855,000$356,875
Auckland17$2,150,000$126,471

Top buyers

Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ)12 $2,020,000 $168,333
The Hong Kong Jockey Club3 $1,310,000 $436,667
Mick Price Racing and Breeding5 $1,185,000 $237,000
Go Racing / Blandford Bloodstock6 $1,175,000 $195,833
Mulcaster Bloodstock Ltd / Chris Waller Racing5 $1,160,000 $232,000
Wexford Stables7 $915,000 $130,714
Tartan Meadow Bloodstock2 $825,000 $412,500
Ciaron Maher Bloodstock4 $730,000 $182,500
Michael Freedman / Tom Magnier / Mick Wallace1 $725,000 $725,000
James Harron Bloodstock Pty Ltd / Michael Freedman Racing / Tony Fung Filly Partnership1 $675,000 $675,000

Vendors by aggregate

Curraghmore8 $2,140,000 $267,500
Haunui Farm14 $1,850,000 $132,143
Landsdowne Park Ltd14 $1,755,000 $125,357
Waikato Stud Ltd19 $1,590,000 $83,684
Rich Hill Stud8 $1,495,000 $186,875
Hallmark Stud11 $1,460,000 $132,727
Elsdon Park10 $1,440,000 $144,000
Riversley Park Ltd11 $1,280,000 $116,364
Windsor Park Stud12 $1,055,000 $87,917
Cambridge Stud17 $1,035,000 $60,882

Vendors by average (3 or more sold)

Curraghmore8 $2,140,000 $267,500
Rich Hill Stud8 $1,495,000 $186,875
Trelawney Stud Ltd6 $975,000 $162,500
Carlaw Park5 $790,000 $158,000
Lyndhurst Farm3 $450,000 $150,000
Elsdon Park10 $1,440,000 $144,000
Hallmark Stud11 $1,460,000 $132,727
Haunui Farm14 $1,850,000 $132,143
Landsdowne Park Ltd14 $1,755,000 $125,357
Milan Park4 $480,000 $120,000

Sires by aggregate

Proisir1411$2,550,000$231,818
Wootton Bassett (GB)44$1,985,000$496,250
Savabeel159$1,900,000$211,111
Hello Youmzain (Fr)2216$1,785,000$111,563
Per Incanto (USA)1310$1,665,000$166,500
Satono Aladdin (Jpn)116$1,615,000$269,167
Sword of State119$1,490,000$165,556
Too Darn Hot (GB)64$1,315,000$328,750
Home Affairs95$990,000$198,000
Almanzor (Fr)167$985,000$140,714

Sires by average (2 or more sold)

Proisir1411$2,550,000$231,818
Wootton Bassett (GB)44$1,985,000$496,250
Savabeel159$1,900,000$211,111
Hello Youmzain (Fr)2216$1,785,000$111,563
Per Incanto (USA)1310$1,665,000$166,500
Satono Aladdin (Jpn)116$1,615,000$269,167
Sword of State119$1,490,000$165,556
Too Darn Hot (GB)64$1,315,000$328,750
Home Affairs95$990,000$198,000
Almanzor (Fr)167$985,000$140,714
New Zealand Bloodstock
Wootton Bassett
Boomer Bloodstock
Te Akau Racing

Day 1 sale-toppers: Wootton Bassett commands top dollar at Karaka

11 min read
Wootton Bassett (GB) continued his meteoric rise through the stallion ranks, supplying two of the top five highest priced lots on Day 1 of Karaka 2025, while the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Tom Magnier and Michael Freedman featured prominently on the buyers’ list.

Cover image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

Lot 6 – Wootton Bassett (GB) x Il Affare (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}), colt, NZ$725,000

The progeny of Wootton Bassett (GB) continued to be hot property on Day 1 of Karaka 2025, starting out where they left off at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Lot 6, a strapping bay colt from the draft of Curraghmore was knocked down to a partnership between Michael Freedman, Tom Magnier and Mick Wallace for NZ$725,000.

The collaboration between Coolmore's Magnier and Freedman to acquire a son of Wootton Bassett is hardly surprising. Freedman is responsible for training Pallaton (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who is currently the second favourite in G1 Golden Slipper betting after a dominant debut win at Randwick. At the same time, Coolmore is the majority stakeholder in the boom 2-year-old and Golden Slipper favourite, Wodeton (Wootton Bassett {GB}).

“We’re very happy. We have bought in partnership with Coolmore, which is great,” Michael Freedman said.

Lot 6 - Wootton Bassett (GB) x Il Affare (NZ) (colt) | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

“It’s nice to have them in the stable again. I just loved him, he reminded me a lot of the colt we have at home, Pallaton. We liked him from the first time we saw him.

“I’ve obviously known Coolmore for quite some time and back in the day trained quite a few for them. Tom Magnier and I have been chatting for a while about trying to do something together and obviously, he’s a colt by their stallion and it just worked out well.

“I said after Pallaton’s last win, I just love their (Wootton Bassett’s progeny) temperament. They are very calm which is very important for 2-year-olds, especially a 2-year-old colt. He’s a lovely moving horse and the stallion couldn’t be going any better obviously.”

Freedman once again made reference to the similarities between the progeny of Wootton Bassett (GB) and the almighty Danehill (USA), indicating it was no surprise they had to go to NZ$725,000 to secure the colt.

Michael Freedman | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

“We were fortunate enough to train a lot of Danehills back in the day and so many of his good ones used to have a really relaxed demeanour and that’s what I’ve seen in Wootton Bassett’s stock so far,” Freedman said.

“I thought we’d have to go to about that (NZ$725,000), as I said, the stallion couldn’t be going any better so I don’t think you’ll get them much cheaper.”

Wootton Bassett’s (GB) progeny averaged just over $430,000 at the recent Magic Millions Yearling Sale, with his top lot selling for $1.7m.

Bred by Nearco Stud Limited, this colt is the first foal of Group 2 place-getter Il Affare (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}), which is a half-sister to Hong Kong Group 3 winner Full Of Beauty (Darci Brahma {NZ}).

Lot 168 – Too Darn Hot (GB) x On The Ball (NZ) (So You Think {NZ}), filly, NZ$675,000

Some of racing’s biggest hitters joined in partnership to secure, Lot 168, a stunning filly by Too Darn Hot (GB) for NZ$675,000.

James Harron Bloodstock combined with Michael Freedman Racing’s Filly Partnership and Aquis Farm’s Tony Fung to buy the third foal of On The Ball (NZ) (So You Think {NZ}), who is a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Swords Drawn (Camelot {GB}) and already the producer of Group 1 performer Archaic Smile (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}).

Harron revealed that the partnership had come to New Zealand particularly looking for a classic type.

James Harron | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

“She has been bought with Michael Freedman and also TFI in a filly partnership,” Harron said.

“When we are looking for fillies over here, we are looking for what New Zealand fillies do well. You know, the mile to mile and a quarter type fillies and she certainly had that classic sort of look about her.

“When we are looking for fillies over here, we are looking for what New Zealand fillies do well. You know, the mile to mile and a quarter type fillies and she (Lot 168) certainly had that classic sort of look about her.” - James Harron

“I love the attitude, nice long movement and she was very economical in everything she did. That’s what we are really targeting. Throughout the year we will pick up our 2-year-old types but we wanted a diverse spread of fillies that can do different things. That was the idea behind the strategy with the group. She is very important to that strategy because she exemplifies everything we are looking for from the sale.”

Bred by Bob Emery and offered by Curraghmore, Lot 168 wasn’t a typical Too Darn Hot according to Harron.

“She probably had a little bit more scope and size compared to others by Too Darn Hot,” Harron said.

Lot 168 - Too Darn Hot (GB) x On The Ball (NZ) (filly) | Image courtesy of Kirsten Ledington

“Breeding a mare by So You Think to Too Darn Hot might have been clever mating. They are very good at what they do at Curraghmore so I’m sure a lot of thought went into that. The cross worked with a good Saturday winner a couple of weeks ago. She’s got the right farm behind her, the right pedigree and now we just need a bit of luck.”

On The Ball (NZ) had a filly Ghaiyyath (Ire) last season, who stands at Darley’s Northwood Park, Victoria.

Lot 11 – Savabeel x Indecision (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}), colt, NZ$625,000

The Hong Kong Jockey Club got on the board early to secure Lot 11, a bay colt by Champion sire Savabeel from Indecision (NZ) for NZ$625,000.

While quite a late foal, being foaled on November 28, Boomer Bloodstock’s Craig Rounsefell, who was buying on behalf of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, was in no doubt he was a horse of supreme quality.

Lot 11 - Savabeel x Indecision (NZ) (colt) | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

“He’s an ideal colt for our program,” Rounsefell said.

“He was a late November foal and just a later maturing type but just a beautiful horse.

“He’s a classy horse with a beautiful shape to him. He’s a good mover, looks very sound and has a good temperament to him.”

“He’s (Lot 11) a classy horse with a beautiful shape to him. He’s a good mover, looks very sound and has a good temperament to him.” - Craig Rounsefell

Bred by Trelawney Thoroughbreds, this colt is the third foal of multiple stakes winning mare Indecision, who is a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Viadana (NZ) (Towkay). It is also the family of New Zealand Oaks placegetter Miss Selby (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) and recent Australian stakes performer Saltcoats (NZ) (Ardrossan). Something that Rounsefell found very attractive.

“He’s off a fantastic farm in Trelawney Stud, one of the best pound-for-pound farms in New Zealand no doubt,” Rounsefell said.

“He’s from a lovely family, there is plenty of speed so he should suit Hong Kong down to the ground.”

“He’s (Lot 11) from a lovely family, there is plenty of speed so he should suit Hong Kong down to the ground.” - Craig Rounsefell

Indecision’s first two foals, both colts by Snitzel, were sold for $350,000 at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and $400,000 at the 2024 NZB Karaka Yearling sale respectively. Both are winners, with the 2-year-old named Storm Front (Snitzel) winning impressively on debut at Ellerslie in October for Tony Pike.

Indecision was not served last season.

Lot 103 – Wootton Bassett (GB) x Matagouri (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}), colt, NZ$600,000

Mick Price was over the moon to secure Lot 103, a son of highly sought after Wootton Bassett (GB) for NZ$600,000. A bargain pick-up according to Price, who predicts the sire’s progeny may be out of reach for many come the Inglis Easter sale.

Lot 103 - Wootton Bassett (GB) x Matagouri (NZ) (colt) | Image courtesy of Kirsten Ledington

“If Wodeton wins the Golden Slipper and you are at Sydney Easter, I’d hate to be trying to buy a nice colt by Wootton Bassett,” Price said.

“I liked him when I looked up and saw Australian $540,000 for a start! I think he is an amazing stallion. I was watching the whole story on Wootton Bassett; the guy buys him for $200,000 and then as a 12-year-old Coolmore buy him for $50 million. That can only mean one thing; that his stock go good.”

“I liked him (Lot 103) when I looked up and saw Australian $540,000... I was watching the whole story on Wootton Bassett; the guy buys him for $200,000 and then as a 12-year-old Coolmore buy him for $50 million. That can only mean one thing; that his stock go good.” - Mick Price

Wootton Bassett (GB) has certainly taken a unique path to success. Under the training of Richard Fahey, he maintained an impressive unbeaten streak in his first four races in the UK, culminating his 2-year-old season with a win in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, which earned him the title of French champion 2-year-old.

Initially, he stood at Haras d'Etreham in Normandy for a fee of €6,000 (AU$10,000), but his value has risen significantly since the debut of his first runners. From his initial crop of 23 foals, 15 became winners, including two stakes winners, with Almanzor (Fr) leading the charge as the G1 Prix du Jockey Club winner and G1 Champion and G1 Irish Champion S. winner, as well as the European champion 3-year-old. With continued success year after year from small crops, Wootton Bassett was eventually acquired by Coolmore in 2020 for an undisclosed sum. He has now sired 58 individual stakes winners globally and stood for a fee of $192,500 in Australia in 2024, while his European fee this year is a whopping €300,000 (AU$498,000).

Bred by Greg McCarthy and offered by Windsor Park Stud, this colt is the fourth living foal from Matagouri (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}), who is already the dam of Group 3 winner Francesca (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}). He also hails from he family of Price’s former top-class galloper Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}).

“He’s a beautiful colt, and a little from my family - Ayrton’s family is down there on the page,” Price said.

Mick Price | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

“He’s a beautiful stud type of colt if we can get the right form with him.”

“One of my owners bred him, he’s a good guy, he also bred Ayrton. I haven’t spoken to him yet but I believe he’s keeping 10 percent, Tom Magnier is keeping 10 percent so we’ve got 80 percent to go.”

Wootton Bassett (GB) had four Lots sell on Day 1 of Karaka 2025 for an average of NZ$496,250.

Lot 149 – Satono Aladdin (Jpn) x No More Doubt (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice), colt, NZ$525,000

The Hong Kong Jockey Club was able to secure yet another high-quality colt that will be educated and set for sale in a few years’ time at the Hong Kong International Sale (HKIS), after Lot 149 was knocked down to the global powerhouse for NZ$525,000.

Lot 149 - Satono Aladdin (Jpn) x No More Doubt (NZ) (colt) | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

Every year horses are sourced from leading yearling sales globally and pre-trained in Australia and Great Britain prior to arriving in Hong Kong for the The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s thoroughbred sale.

Boomer Bloodstock’s Craig Rounsefell, who was buying on behalf of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, was amazed at the son of Satono Aladdin’s (Jpn) physical attributes.

“I just absolutely loved this guy,” Rounsefell said.

“He is just a physical that we are always looking for and when I found him it was pretty exciting. Satono Aladdin is a stallion that has obviously done very well in this part of the world. The mare is proven, his full sibling is a Group 2 and Group 3 winner.”

“I just absolutely loved this guy (Lot 149). He is just a physical that we are always looking for and when I found him it was pretty exciting. Satono Aladdin is a stallion that has obviously done very well in this part of the world... His full sibling is a Group 2 and Group 3 winner.” - Craig Rounsefell

“From where he started Satono Aladdin he’s done a fantastic job and he is only going to improve. The mare is proven on this cross but it was the physical that was the big thing for me. He’s just perfect for our system, to go into a Hong Kong sale in a couple of years.”

Bred and offered by Rich Hill Stud, this bay colt is the fifth foal from No More Doubt (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice), who has already produced Group 2 winner Lantern Way (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}). It’s a strong female line with his grand dam being dual Group 1 winning mare Say No More (NZ) (Pentire {GB}), who also produced stakes performer I Say Hello (Iffraaj {GB}).

Satono Aladdin (Jpn) has already produced nine stakes winners, among them Pennyweka, who triumphed in the G1 New Zealand and Australian Oaks. He is currently standing at Rich Hill Stud at a service fee of NZ$65,000 (+ GST).

New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale
Craig Rounsefell
Hong Kong Jockey Club
Michael Freedman
James Harron

Value Buy: Hello Youmzain filly tempts Lindsay Park

3 min read
Every day of the sale, TTR AusNZ will uncover a ‘value buy’ - an opportunity that has been snapped up. Brought to you by Stallion Match, their intuitive platform gives you an edge to make informed stallion breeding decisions. Identify your next Perfect Match or 20/20 Match by combining rich data, research and deep analytics - free.

Lot 40 – Hello Youmzain (Fr) x Kanzai (NZ) (Savabeel) filly

Buyer: Lindsay Park / Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock

Vendor: Cambridge Stud

Price: NZ$80,000

Lindsay Park-trained Hello Youmzain (Fr)’s first Southern Hemisphere winner with Hello Romeo (NZ), and they’ve reinvested with Lot 40, a filly by the sire and from young Savabeel mare Kanzai (NZ).

“As a physical, she is very athletic, nice walker and we really liked her. She’s a lovely athletic filly and an improving type who is out of a Savabeel mare, and that’s a big positive,” said Ben Hayes.

“We have had good luck with Hello Youmzain and Hello Romeo ran a brave race for us in the big one.” Hello Romeo ran eighth in the R. Listed Karaka Millions 2YO on Saturday, 3.3l from the winner La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth). He is a winner from three starts in Australia.

Team Lindsay Park Racing inspecting yearlings at Karaka Sales Centre | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

“Cambridge Stud is a great stud, and they have had a lot of success over the years. She was a spec buy, so people are welcome to get in touch to grab a share. She really is a value buy, and we bought her with Dean Hawthorne who we have had a lot of success with. She is going to improve with time also and develop, and $80,000 kiwi sounded pretty good to us.”

Kanzai was a $425,000 purchase by Brendan and Jo Lindsay from Sledmere Stud at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, and she debuted for trainer Nigel Blackiston as a late 3-year-old at Ballarat. She broke her maiden at her third start at Geelong and placed in the city before adding another victory at Pakenham.

Lot 40 - Hello Youmzain (Fr) x Kanzai (NZ) (filly) | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

Her first foal is an unnamed 2-year-old filly by Blue Point (Ire) and this is her second foal. As an expensive yearling, Kanzai has a strong pedigree, bred on the fantastic Savabeel / O’Reilly (NZ) cross that has produced 10 Group 1 winners.

Kanzai is a full sister to Listed winner Synchronize (NZ), and their dam, Splits (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) is an unraced sister to Listed winner Wolfwhistle (NZ). Splits and Wolfwhistle are out of dual Group 1 winner Legs (NZ) (Pins).

Hello Youmzain had 20 yearlings sell on day 1 for an average of NZ$125,500 with a top price of NZ$375,000 for Lot 154 to Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Value Buy
Hello Youmzain
Ben Hayes
Cambridge Stud

International News: White Abarrio stuns in G1 Pegasus World Cup

12 min read

America

White Abarrio demolition job in G1 Pegasus World Cup

By Christina Bossinakis, TDN

As recently as last June, C2 Racing Stable, Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Antonio Pagnano's 6-year-old entire White Abarrio (USA) (Race Day {USA}) was running for the come-backing Rick Dutrow Jr after departing the Saffie Joseph Jr barn. For Joseph, it was a tough pill to swallow given the striking grey had won a pair of Graded stakes for him, including the 2022 G1 Florida Derby. Given a second chance last summer to train the Grade 1 winner, Joseph made the most of the golden opportunity, landing Gulfstream's marquee test for older horses at the winter Championship Meet, the G1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Saturday.

“This allows you to heal because of what we went through and then we had to give up the horse at that time,” admitted Joseph. “And that was the correct thing. I thought what healed me a lot was when I got the horse back. That the owners would give me the horse back after he won the Breeders' Cup Classic for a different trainer, that meant a lot to me.”

Drawing the advantageous 4-hole in the 8-furlong event, the grey cruised into a stalking position while favourite Locked (USA) (Gun Runner {USA}) did exactly what Todd Pletcher didn't want him to do and that was break poorly while exiting the dreaded post 11. Taking dead aim at the front runner exiting the far turn, White Abarrio was propelled by momentum, and forged ahead of his grey shadow straightening for home. The weakening frontrunner was given some strong encouragement from Florent Geroux, but it wasn't making a dent late. And despite the blistering rally of the poorly-breaking Locked, White Abarrio was not for catching late, flying home a 6.25l winner over Locked. The Joseph-trained Skippylongstocking (USA) (Exaggerator {USA}) closed to get third.

Enjoying a banner day, Joseph also won the G2 TAA Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf with Be Your Best (Ire) and the G2 Inside Information with Mystic Lake (USA) (Mo Town {USA}).

White Abarrio, a US$7,500 (AU$11,800) OBS Winter yearling turned US$40,000 (AU$63,000) OBS March 2-year-old, is the lone Graded winner for Race Day, a son of Tapit (USA). Race Day previously stood at Spendthrift Farm, who bred White Abarrio, and was exported to Korea prior to the 2021 season.

The winner's dam Catching Diamonds (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}), a US$425,000 (AU$673,000) Keeneland September yearling purchase for Spendthrift, produced White Abarrio as her first foal. The mare is a half to Graded winner Cool Cowboy (USA) (Kodiak Kowboy {USA}) and to the dam of Graded winner Mutasaabeq (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}).

Spirit Of St Louis wins G1 Pegasus World Cup Turf

By Alan Carasso, TDN

A horse that frequently fires a big shot when fresh-up, 6-year-old gelding Spirit Of St Louis (USA) (Medaglia d'Oro {USA}) was steered off heels and widest in upper stretch and powered home down the centre of the course to take out Saturday's $1 million G1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational S. at Gulfstream Park. The New York-bred, a 7-1 chance, broke fairly and took up a spot in the third flight of horses and sat a centerfield trip. Tyler Gaffalione was able to extricate his mount shortly after entering the lane and steered Spirit of St Louis to the outside.

The final time was a crisp 1:44.50 for the nine furlongs on fast turf. It was a third win in the race for trainer Chad Brown (Almanaar (USA) and Bricks and Mortar (USA)) and a third in the last 12 runnings for Medaglia d'Oro (USA).

“I loved where he was, but the fact that he found himself between horses down the backside, I'd rather either be on the rail or two deep,” Brown said. “Right in between two horses can get a little tight at times, so I was mildly concerned. I loved where he was in relation to the leader and the pace, but I didn't know how he was going to track from there.

“One of the many great moves in the race was Tyler on the turn when he sort of let a couple other horses go first and cleared his own path rather than try to go with him. He would have got jammed up if he went with them.”

A smashing debut winner in January 2023 for this trainer and owner Peter Brant, Spirit of St Louis was second in allowance company that April before changing hands for US$280,000 (AU$443,000) at the Keeneland Horses of Racing Age Sale to current owners Madaket Stables LLC, Michael Dubb and Richard Schermerhorn. Since then, the Chester and Mary R Broman-bred had won eight times, five in state-bred restricted stakes, and he was last seen successfully defending his title in the October 27 Mohawk S. at Aqueduct.

Spirit of St Louis is the 97th worldwide Group/Graded winner for Medaglia d'Oro and his 28th runner to succeed at the highest level globally. He is the 17th Group 1 winner out of a mare by the recently departed Lemon Drop Kid (USA), joining his full sister, shock G1 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Bar of Gold (USA).

In addition to Bar of Gold, herself the dam of Graded winner Coinage (USA) (Tapit {USA}), the Broman-owned and bred Khancord Kid (USA) (Lemon Drop Kid {USA}), who won this track's G3 Herecomesthebride S. in 2010 for John Kimmel, is the dam of four other winners.

Be Your Best is best in G2 Pegasus Filly and Mare

By Christina Bossinakis, TDN

After rounding out the 2024 season with a pair of Graded victories, Mike Ryan's Be Your Best (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) picked up right where she had left off last season, winning Saturday's G2 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational at Gulfstream Park.

Given a 7-1 chance to record her third straight victory, and only the fourth of her career, the 5-year-old showed a good turn of foot in the early going of the 8.5-furlong test, keeping leader and stablemate In Our Time (USA) (Not This Time {USA}) in her sights with the favorite wrestling Frankie Dettori down on the inside while fourth through a crisp 0:22.88 quarter. Continuing to survey the pace through a 0:46.81 half, the Saffie Joseph Jr-trainee started to pick up the tempo and put pressure on the pacesetter leaving the far turn.

Set down for the stretch drive by Edgard Zayas, the Irish-bred mare overtook her rival midstretch, inched clear, and had enough left to hold off the oncoming rush of Sacred Wish (USA) (Not This Time {USA}) by a neck at the wire with In Our Time third.

“I didn't think she wants to go that far. I thought she wanted to cut back. But he was right, because we won. So I give him full credit. I said, 'Mike (Ryan), you were right.' The mile last time was probably a cut back a little too short, because you don't know, that's a big drastic cut back. When she won there, you always felt confident going a mile and a sixteenth. She's got so much speed in the morning, you think that this shouldn't be a problem. I think this is probably her best, from mile and a sixteenth to a mile and a quarter,” trainer Joseph Jnr said.

Bred in Ireland by St Croix Bloodstock, Be Your Best is out of Kamakura (USA) (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}), a full sister to stakes winner Bay of Plenty (USA) in addition to Grade 1-placed Fortify (USA) (Distorted Humor {USA}). Third dam is the prolific champion Flagbird (USA), a half-sister to Grade 1 winners Prospector's Delight (USA) and Runup The Colors (USA).

South Africa

Cape Town Met elders overcome by exciting 3-year-old

By Renee Geelen, TTR AusNZ

There was only one 3-year-old in the G1 Cape Town Met over 2000 metres on Saturday at Kenilworth and Eight On Eighteen (Saf) (Lancaster Bomber {USA}) showed his older rivals a clean pair of heels to win. “Everyone seemed to think he was past the post but he’s a young 3-year-old over 2000 metres and it was not cut and dried as a lot of people thought,” trainer Justin Snaith said.

“I thought he was a little bit stiff in the Guineas, he came from a long way back and I thought we had the winner, so it was good to come back and do this. There’s risk involved for a young horse at this time in his career but when you win now it was all worth it. Very impressive individual. This horse can run and I’m glad today he showed it.”

Beaten last start in the G1 Cape Guineas by One Stripe (Saf) (One World {Saf}) who is headed to the Breeders’ Cup meeting, Snaith felt Eight On Eighteen could join him.

“Would (Eight On Eighteen) be good enough to go like One Stripe to the States? Yes. Those horses that ran in the States (Beach Bomb and Isivunguvungu at the Breeders' Cup) last year, these are better. To be honest, I think they’re a step up on that and those weren’t too far back.”

Lancaster Bomber, a son of War Front (USA), won the Tattersalls Gold Cup and was runner-up in the G1 Dewhurst and G1 St James’s Palace S. but sadly died aged just seven in mid 2021 from a suspected heart attack at Drakenstein with only two crops. Eight On Eighteen is one of five stakes winners, four at Group 1, for his sire.

Eight On Eighteen is the second foal of unraced Sempre Libre (Saf) (Captain Al {Saf}), who is a daughter of blue hen mare Mystic Spring (Ire) (Royal Academy {USA}), dam of seven stakes winners led by triple Group 1 winner Bela-Bela (Saf) (Dynasty {Saf}) dam of Group 2 winner Ciao Bella (Saf) (Gimmethegreenlight), dual Group 1 winner and Joint Champion 3YO Colt in South Africa in 2004-05 Rabiya (Saf) (Jallad {USA}), and Group 2 winner Secret Of Victoria (Saf) (Goldkeeper {USA}) who is the dam of four stakes winners. Secret Captain (Saf) (Captain Al {Saf}) was a Group 2 winner, while Group 3 winner Spring Lilac (Saf) (Joshua Dancer {USA}) is the dam of G1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Snowdance (Saf) (Captain Al {Saf}) and three other stakes winners. Mystic Spring’s two other stakes winners are Listed winners Touch The Sky (Saf) (Jet Master {Saf}) and Rafiya (Saf) (Jallad {USA}).

Lancaster Bomber’s second Group 1 win of the day

By Renee Geelen, TTR AusNZ

The G1 Majorica S. over a mile went the way of consistent 4-year-old mare Rascova (Saf) (Lancaster Bomber {USA}) to give her sire a Group 1 double for the day and become his fourth career Group 1 winner from only two crops. She beat her rival and hot favourite Double Grand Slam (Saf) (Vercingetorix {Saf}) by a short head.

“She’s not very big but she’s got the heart of a lion,” said Rascova’s trainer, Glen Kotzen. “This was the one that we wanted, we wanted the Group 1 because she’s won everything else.

“It’s a lovely rivalry between the two fillies, I think we’ve beaten her five times and she’s beaten us six! Gary Player and myself have a little side bet, whoever wins will give each other a hundred bucks. So he owes me a hundred and I’m surprised he never came up to give it to me! He did shake my hand. She can go to stud now but she’ll race another season in Natal and have a crack at the next Group 1 there.”

Previously a Group 2 winner, Rascova added her first Group 1. She is the fourth foal of Netsuke (Saf) (Western Winter {USA}), who won five races at 1000 metres. Nesuke is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Mike’s Choice (Saf) (Tamburlaine {Ire}).

Gimme A Prince returns in G1 Flying Championship

By Renee Geelen, TTR AusNZ

Gimme A Prince (Saf) (Gimmethegreenlight) hadn’t won since taking out the 2023 G1 Golden Horse Sprint, a race he won after winning the 2023 G1 Flying Championship. He missed most of 2024 due to injury, having only two starts at the end of the year, and showed some promise of his earlier form when third last start in the 2025 G1 King’s Plate.

Ridden by Craig Zackey, he was 4l from the leader with heading into the straight and unleashed his old sprint to take command and win. “This horse has always been special to me. He’s had his share of issues. I even tried the King’s Plate, but he didn’t stay despite leading with 250 metres to go. He won this race two years ago, and missing last year due to a knee fracture was tough. Today, he proved he’s back to his best,” said trainer Dean Kannemeyer.

Gimmethegreenlight, a son of More Than Ready (USA), is a multiple Champion Sire in South Africa with 71 stakes winners, and Gimme A Prince is one of his 12 Group 1 winners.

The triple Group 1 winner is the first foal of G1 South African Fillies Sprint winner Real Princess (Saf) (Trippi {USA}) whose current 3-year-old filly Gimme’s Countess (Gimmethegreenlight) is a Group 3 winner. Real Princess is one of four stakes winners for her dam Pagan Princess (Saf) (Fort Wood {USA}), with the others being G1 Kenilworth Cape Guineas winner and sire William Longsword (Saf) (Captain Al {Saf}), and Listed winners Silver God (Saf) (Silvano {Ger}) and Really Royal (Saf) (Captain Al {Saf}).

G1 Pegasus World Cup
White Abarrio
Spirit Of St Louis
Be Your Best
Eight On Eighteen
Rascova
Gimme A Prince

Black type fields: Warwick farm

1 min read

Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

Warwick farm: Listed Australia Day Cup, $201,000, 2400m

Black type fields
Warwick farm

Daily News Wrap

7 min read

Tycoon Star to mimic Little Brose

Lindsay Park will give 2-year-old colt Tycoon Star (Written Tycoon) the same program as their 2023 G1 Blue Diamond winner Little Brose (Per Incanto {USA}) had. “He will have his second jumpout this Friday. We are following the same path as Little Brose did. We are really happy with him,” Ben Hayes told racing.com.

Ben Hayes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

“He’s come back well. Put a line through his last start on a heavy track as he didn’t enjoy the surface. If he gets back on to a firm track, you will see a big improvement on top of the ground. He’s a very sensible forward colt and we’re very happy with him. He’ll be a good chance in the Prelude.”

Berry has minor spinal fracture

Jockey Tommy Berry hopes to be back for Golden Slipper day after a fall on Saturday left him with a minor fracture. “The doctor just told me that the original injury was wrongly diagnosed but I do have a vertebrae fracture,” Berry told racenet.com.au.

Tommy Berry | Image courtesy of Sportpix

“I will need to keep a neck brace on for two weeks and then I will get some more scans done to see how the injury is healing. It's been a bit of an ordeal today but I'm not complaining. I know it could have been a lot worse.”

Steparty aimed at Orr and All-Star Mile

After his second placing in the G2 Australia S. last Friday night, 4-year-old gelding Steparty (Artie Schiller {USA}) will be aimed at the All-Star Mile. “The freshening up was a good move. He came through the race well on Friday night and he has a couple of weeks to the Orr. He’s on the up and he should be ready to peak in that race,” trainer Paul Preusker told racing.com.

Steparty | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Stablemate Poison Chalice (NZ) (Savabeel) will be aimed at the G1 Australian Cup after running seventh in the same race. “That was a good run for a stayer.”

Repeat tactics for Australia Day Cup

Jockey Alysha Collett will repeat the ride that gave 4-year-old gelding Bullets High (NZ) (Ace High) a last start win when she rides him in Monday’s Listed Australia Day Cup. “We had the wide barrier and had work a little bit to get there but once he got there he got into a lovely rhythm,” Collett told racingnsw.com.au.

“I liked the way he went through his paces, especially from the 200 metre when they got to him. He kept finding and giving me more. From that barrier, I’d imagine we would be positive. That’s something we might have learnt about him, sitting outside the leader might be the key for him.

Alysha Collett | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

“I think 2400 metres is right up his alley, he races well at home, he has an ideal weight. He just has to be willing to do it. He’s giving everything he can, I think he’s a circumstances type of horse where he likes to go through his gears and likes to get into a good rhythm. He’s also his own worst enemy, he’s still learning his craft and especially when it comes to that last little bit of his races.”

World Pool addition to Karaka Millions a success

The addition of the World Pool to Saturday’s Karaka Millions meeting was deemed a success by Entain. “I think this time last year the industry was coming to grips with whether (the changes) were sustainable and something that would work. This year it's a lot better because there's a lot more confidence that it is,” Entain New Zealand's managing director Cameron Rodger told racing.com.

“The changes we have made around the summer calendar are driving increases in turnover which will fund them for years to come. It's an industry that's just as excited as before but ready to get on with it, if that makes sense.

Cameron Rodger

“But the bigger part for us is the exposure (World Pool) brings to New Zealand Racing. To get this meeting and Champions Day (in the World Pool) … it's a real 'we've-arrived' moment for New Zealand racing. We are tracking 22 per cent, 23 per cent up year-on-year against the global standards of single-digit decline and double-digit decline in some jurisdictions. We are thrilled with how it's been going in a tough economy.”

Monday’s Geelong meeting moved due to heat

Predicted high heat in Victoria has resulted in Racing Victoria moving Geelong’s Monday meeting to Tuesday. “With the BOM (Bureau Of Meteorology) predicting temperatures to reach 40 degrees by 1pm AEDT tomorrow, before peaking at 42 degrees at 2pm AEDT and staying in that range until 5pm AEDT, the decision was taken in consultation with the club and other stakeholder groups to move the fixture in the interests of horse and participant welfare,” a Racing Victoria statement said.

Fawke has nasty fall

At Strathalbyn on Sunday, jockey Sairyn Fawke landed badly after his mount, 4-year-old gelding Bocheeva (Anacheeva), clipped heels and fell in the home straight. Bocheeva regained his feet and galloped off after the incident and is reportedly okay.

Fawke regained consciousness soon afterwards, and paramedics decided he was able to be transported to hospital in an ambulance, not a helicopter.

Around the Nation: Sunday’s highlights

A busy Sunday with eleven meetings included the iconic Hanging Rock meeting where trainer Tom Conlan enjoyed a treble with Miss Terasita (Trapeze Artist), Caboteur (So You Think {NZ}), and 3-year-old filly Miss Toronado (Toronado {Ire}).

At Wagga, jockey Nick Heywood rode a treble on 3-year-old gelding Warpainted (D’Argento), Victory Roll (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}), and Bravissima (Deep Field). Xtravagant (NZ) sired a double at Wyong with 3-year-old filly Ivana and 3-year-old gelding Tikiroo.

At Ipswich, 3-year-old gelding Ready To Ignite (Jungle Cat {Ire}) won on debut while at Strathalbyn, jockey Jason Holder rode a treble on Hateech (Sidestep), Alpine Beau (Alpine Eagle), and Damaged (Exceed And Excel).

Trainer John Blacker won five of the eight race card at Hobart with 3-year-old filly Baybougg (Cable Bay {Ire}), Mateus (Ilovethiscity), Vintage Diesel (NZ) (He’s Remarkable {NZ}), Zewinna (Tough Speed {USA}), and Araya Sunshine (Alpine Eagle).

Sapphire Coast excited for 150th Bega Cup

The Sapphire Coast Turf Club will celebrate the 150th running of the Bega Cup next weekend. “We will have a few massive days including two outstanding race meetings on Saturday (February 1) and Sunday (February 2),” Rob Tweedie, CEO of Sapphire Coast Turf Club told racingnsw.com.au.

“The weekend kicks off early with a big golf day on Friday hosted by Sapphire Golf Tours before our first ever Racing Expo starts around 4.30pm at Club Sapphire in Merimbula. On Saturday night there’s a Cup Calcutta at Club Sapphire before Sunday’s Bega Cup Day featuring the Big Dance qualifying ($80,000) Bega Cheese Showcase Cup and $50,000 Bega Valley Motors Sprint. There will be $570,000 in prizemoney on offer over the two days and we’ll also have a Bega Cup Fashions on the Field with heaps of prizes.”

Arqana February Sale released

The catalogue for the one-day Arqana February Mixed Sale, featuring Listed winner Perle Rouge (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}) (Lot 27), was released on Friday. There are 43 yearlings, including a half-sister by Extreme Choice to G1 Queensland Oaks runner-up Our Gold Hope (Lope De Vega {Ire}) as Lot 115.

A total of 314 Flat and National Hunt lots are catalogued, including horses-in-training, 2- and 3-year-old stores, Flat 2-year-olds, yearlings, fillies and mares, the sale will begin at 10am CET (8pm AEDT) on Wednesday, February 12.

Rattle N Roll earns Saudi Cup spot

Saturday's Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (King's Cup) at Riyadh, a race carrying international Group 3 status for the first time and earning the winner a guaranteed spot in the field for the US$20-million G1 Saudi Cup four weeks down the road was won by Ken McPeek-trained Rattle N Roll (USA) (Connect {USA}) who flew home from second last to win by 3.75l.

Wait To Excel (GB) (Postponed {Ire}) and Wootton'sun (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) rounded out an excellent afternoon for Prince Faisal's Red Stable in second and third.

Daily News Wrap

Looking Ahead - January 27

3 min read

Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are a particularly well-bred or high-priced runner early in its career chasing maiden success, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.

Two exciting 3-year-old runners are set to hit the track across New Zealand and Australia on Monday. A Proisir filly looks very hard to beat at Tauranga and a Fastnet Rock gelding chases maiden success at Warwick Farm.

Tauranga, Race 1, 10.18am AEDT (12.18pm local), Gartshore Construction Mdn 3YO, NZ$18,500, 1600m

Protheatrics (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Proisir x Theatrics {Lonhro)

Tauranga’s Monday meeting will serve as the venue for the third start of Protheatrics (NZ), a promising daughter of Proisir from the Debbie Sweeney stable at Te Awamutu.

Protheatrics is the fourth foal out of Theatrics (Lonhro) who placed on the track in New Zealand. She has already left the dual winner Kristofferson (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) and the placed filly Movie Star (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}).

She has some lovely pedigree influences through her damline. Her dam is by Lonhro, grandam is by Sadler’s Wells (USA) and her great grandam is by Kris (GB).

Protheatrics as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

The family page is a bit quiet in terms of having Group performers close in the page but further down in the page there are some classy performers including Dubawi Gold (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), D’Bai (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Duncan (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}), Lazuli (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Triple First (GB) (High Top {Ire}) and Lend A Hand (GB) (Great Commotion {USA}).

Theatrics, since producing Protheatrics, has unfortunately not left another live-foal.

Protheatrics was a $60,000 purchase by Raptor Thoroughbreds from the draft of Ainsley Downs Stud at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.

Warwick Farm, Race 1, 1.15pm AEDT, Schweppes Mdn Plate, $65,000, 1100m

Bold Bidder, 3-year-old gelding (Fastnet Rock x Pretty Fast {Not A Single Doubt)

The well-related Bold Bidder (Fastnet Rock) is set to make his second start for in-form trainer Bjorn Baker at Warwick Farm on Monday on the back of a solid debut on the Randwick-Kensington track on January 15 when he ran a nice fourth after racing a bit green and only weakening late in the race.

Bold Bidder is a son of Coolmore Stud’s outstanding and now pensioned sire Fastnet Rock and is the third foal from the talented Not A Single Doubt mare Pretty Fast. She was named appropriately as she went on to win four times with her best win being in the Listed Mode Plate.

Bold Bidder as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

Pretty Fast is a half-sister to the talented dual Group winner and now stallion at Widden Stud Victoria in Doubtland and also a three-quarter sister to Villa Verde (Not A Single Doubt) who was successful in the G2 Challenge S., Listed Ottawa S. and the Listed Debutant S.

Pretty Fast, since producing Bold Bidder, has produced a yearling colt by the outstanding Wootton Bassett (GB), a colt foal by Anamoe and was most recently served in the spring by Home Affairs who made such an impact with his first yearlings when selling at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale earlier this year.

Bold Bidder was a $525,000 purchase by Curran Bloodstock from the draft of Segenhoe Stud from the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Looking Back

Namara (NZ) (Ardrossan) ran a solid third at Wyong, her form is rock solid and she deserves a winning turn soon.

Firework (Written Tycoon) was a strong second at Wyong. He also looks close to breaking his maiden.

Looking Ahead
Looking Back

Debutants

1 min read
First-time starters lining up on Monday, January 27

2YO & 3YO Winners by Sire

First Season Sire Runners & Results

1 min read

First Season Sires’ Results

Results: Sunday, January 26

No first season sires' results

First Season Sires’ Runners

Runners: Monday, January 27
First Season Sire Results
First Season Sire Runners

Second Season Sire Runners & Results

Second Season Sires’ Results

Results: Sunday, January 26

Second Season Sires’ Runners

Runners: Monday, January 27
Second Season Sire Results
Second Season Sire Runners

NSW Race Results

Wyong (Provincial)

Wagga (Country)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000) run before 6pm AEDT

VIC Race Results

Hanging Rock (Country)

Moe (Country)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000) run before 6pm AEDT

QLD Race Results

Ipswich (Provincial)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000) run before 6pm AEDT

WA Race Results

Bunbury (Provincial)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000) run before 6pm AEDT

SA Race Results

Strathalbyn (Provincial)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000) run before 6pm AEDT

TAS Race Results

Hobart (Metropolitan)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000) run before 6pm AEDT

Australian Sires' Premiership

Australian Second Season Sires' Premiership

New Zealand Sires' Premiership

New Zealand Second Season Sires' Premiership

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TTR AusNZ 2025 Media & Advertising Guide

TTR AusNZ will be printing and distributing editions at the following major sales for 2025:

New Zealand BloodstockKaraka Yearling Sale23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th January24th, 25th, 26th, 27th January
InglisClassic Yearling Sale6th, 8th, 9th, 10th February7th, 9th, 10th, 11th February
Magic MillionsPerth Yearling Sale18th February19th February
InglisPremier Yearling Sale27th, 28th February, 1st, 2nd March28th February, 1st, 2nd, 3rd March
Inglis Easter Yearling Sale31st March, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th April1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th,7th April
Inglis Australian Weanling Sale1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th May2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th May
InglisChairman's6th, 7th May7th, 8th May
InglisAustralian Broodmare Sale8th May9th May
Magic MillionsGold Coast National SaleTBCTBC

TTR AusNZ Team & Contacts

President - Gary King | gary@ttrausnz.com.au

Managing Director - Vicky Leonard | vicky@ttrausnz.com.au

Client Relations - Abbey Hassett | abbey@ttrausnz.com.au

Editorial | editorial@ttrausnz.com.au
Advertising | advertising@ttrausnz.com.au
Accounts | accounts@ttrausnz.com.au

Charitable initiatives

At TTR AusNZ, we think it’s our obligation to positively help the industry by providing free advertising, and as such, all ads for industry charitable initiatives are free in TTR AusNZ and always will be.

If you need to raise awareness to a charitable initiative, email: advertising@ttrausnz.com.au

Regular Columnists

Renee Geelen | Josh Spasaro | Kristen Manning | Kit Gow | Nic Ashman | Tom Baddock

Photography is supplied by Ashlea Brennan, The Image Is Everything - Bronwen Healy and Darren Tindale, Georgia Young Photography, Sportpix, Trish Dunell (NZ), Racing Photos, Trackside Photography and Western Racepix.

The Final Say