Cover image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Entries have opened for the centenary edition of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, which will commence on Sunday, January 25 2026. A new three-act format will make its debut in January that promises four days of selling across three books, broken up by an additional inspection day to maximise the opportunity to take home a star of the future.
Written by Kit Gow
Book 1 and Book 2 will run consecutively over three days, cataloguing approximately 870 yearlings, followed by inspections on the Wednesday for the Karaka Summer Sale sale session, taking place on Thursday with an additional 200 yearlings expected through the ring.
“The new format being launched and the fact this sale marks a huge milestone for the industry makes for a very exciting year,” NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook said via a media release on Friday.
Andrew Seabrook | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“As usual, our horses continue to excel in all of the major racing jurisdictions. Buyers know that New Zealand consistently produces elite performers from a small but outstanding foal crop, and Karaka is the place to source them.”
"Buyers know that New Zealand consistently produces elite performers from a small but outstanding foal crop, and Karaka is the place to source them." - Andrew Seabrook
The 2024 edition of the sale has already produced seven stakeswinners, including G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes winner La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) and G2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes winner Intention (NZ) (Bivouac).
Gallery: 2024 Karaka Yearling Sale stakeswinners, Images courtesy of Peter Rubery race Images
Since 2022, 81 stakeswinners have gone through the sale, including 14 Group 1 winners, and graduates continue to be a domineering force in Australasian Group racing with 20 per cent of the current season’s Group 1 winners being New Zealand-bred horses.
“While Book 1 and 2 are our cream of the crop, the new Karaka Summer Sale will be a beneficial session for vendors and buyers to target with a reduced entry fee, no offering fee, and boosted by a $200,000 Karaka Millions bonus for the vendor and purchaser,” Seabrook said.
“It is great to have many of our bigger studs already indicate to us their full support, so I have no doubt Karaka 2026 will be a resounding success.”
The Karaka Millions Raceday will return for another action-packed day of racing; this year’s winners of the R. Listed Karaka Million 2YO and R. Listed Karaka Million 3YO were both Karaka graduates, with 3YO winner Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel) training on to claim the inaugural NZ$3.5million NZB The Kiwi slot race in March.
Damask Rose (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright Race Images
“The inspection and selection process is always an enjoyable time of year and our team looks forward to getting around all of the farms and seeing the next generation before they head to Karaka,” added Seabrook.
Entries for the sale close at 5pm on Friday, July 11.
