Cover image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The 2025 New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling Sale returns for its second straight year as a standalone event, showcasing 119 weanlings, closely aligning with last year’s 133 lots (after withdrawals). The Thoroughbred Report caught up with New Zealand Bloodstock's Sales Manager Kane Jones, who shared insights on the strong lineup for pinhookers, traders, and end-users.
“We are pleased with the catalogue assembled, it is a great opportunity for local pinhookers, traders and end-users alike,” commented Jones. “It’s a small but select sale, and we are very happy with the quality and the overall catalogue.”
“It’s a small but select sale, and we are very happy with the quality and the overall catalogue.” - Kane Jones
“We’ve seen some outstanding pinhooking results from this Sale, with a number of weanlings proving profitable within a relatively short timeframe.
“Plus, the record these graduates have on the track speaks volumes, from just a small catalogue each year.”
When asked about the market, Jones added that “he is quietly confident.
Kane Jones | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
"Throughout the weanling sales series, buyers have been very selective, and I expect that trend to continue, but there have been a good number of pinhookers around and end product buyers, so we are hopeful.”
A lovely mix of stallions
Buyers will have the opportunity to secure progeny of established sires Proisir, Savabeel, Super Seth, Shamexpress (NZ), Almanzor (Fr), Satono Aladdin (Jpn), Per Incanto (USA) and Shocking, along with emerging sires Ace High, Ardrossan (NZ), Hello Youmzain (Fr), and the second-season sires Noverre (NZ) and Sword Of State, with the excitement of the first-season sire Profondo.
Jones added: “We’re really pleased with what we have to offer, with all the top local stallions represented.
Profondo | Standing at Winsor Park Stud
“The stallion strength is very strong, there are good quality proven sires such as Savabeel, Super Seth, and Proisir, and there is a nice mix of young emerging sires like Noverre and Sword Of State that have made such an impact selling their first yearlings this year on both sides of the tasman, and then there are some very nice Profondo’s as he has his first weanlings to sell.”
“He was a high-priced yearling, and he justified that price by winning a Group 1 on the track, I saw him when he was first announced as standing at Windsor Park Stud and he is a beautiful specimen.”
“His first foals look nice, and Lot 59, Windsor Park’s colt, is a great advert for the stallion.”
Profondo poised to make an instant impact
Profondo has always had eyes on him - from his dashing presence as a $1.9 million yearling at Magic Millions, to his Group 1 winning form and a potential high-profile stud career ahead of him at Windsor Park.
This week, the son of Deep Impact (Jpn) will see his first crop presented at Karaka, with six lots on offer following withdrawals. Profondo was one of New Zealand’s busiest stallions, covering 177 mares in his first season and 173 in 2024, just six fewer than Noverre, the busiest stallion in New Zealand that year.
Nick Hewson | Image courtesy of Windsor Park Stud
Nick Hewson of Windsor Park commented about the young stallion: “We are really excited, he was a $1.9 million yearling, out of a $720,000 mare that won a Group 3 and has had major commercial results selling her yearlings.
“He is stamping them with real good looks, strong colouring, and they are athletic, quality types.
“He (Profondo) is stamping them with real good looks, strong colouring, and they are athletic, quality types.” - Nick Hewson
“Our colt out of Shamani (Lot 59) is a very attractive colt, has a real deep girth, attractive, and is a nice walking colt, he will attract plenty of attention that is for sure.”
Lot 59 - Profondo x Shamani | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“Profondo has been very well received, and it's great for us that breeders have shown a real appetite to use him, it will be nice to see these weanlings go through, and I have no doubt he will make a major impact with his yearlings next year.”
Supplementary additions add some strength
Nine supplementary lots have been added, including six from Waikato Stud, who sold star Weanling Sale graduate Jedibeel (NZ), who won this season’s G2 Challenge Stakes at Randwick.
Waikato Stud offer progeny by stallions such as Savabeel, Super Seth, and Ardrossan, while Riverrock Farm offer colts by Turn Me Loose (NZ) and Circus Maximus (Ire), and Little Avondale have added a Tivaci colt to their draft.
Jedibeel (NZ) | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“We are very grateful for Waikato Stud as the weanlings are by stallions that everyone knows, the likes of the Champion Savabeel and Super Seth, who has made a phenomenal start, it's quite unbelievable.” Jones said
The weanling roll of honour
This sale has a good record of producing top quality horses, recent stakes-performers sourced from this Sale include Jedibeel (NZ) (Savabeel), Pivotal Ten (NZ) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}), plus Group One winners Pignan (NZ) (Staphanos {Jpn}), Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante), Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}), and the R. Listed Karaka Millions 2YO winner Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) amongst others.
“This sale has produced a number of Group 1 winners and a Karaka Million winner in recent times. I have no doubt we'll see some graduates from this year's sale add to the tally.” Jones summarised
“This sale has produced a number of Group 1 winners and a Karaka Million winner in recent times.” - Kane Jones
Perks of being part of the Karaka series
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$1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO, followed by the NZ$1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO, as well as the new NZ$1 million Mega Maiden Series comprising of 40 non‑Saturday maiden races located throughout New Zealand.
2025 Karaka Millions 3YO | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“Karaka Millions eligibility is a big drawcard. Nominated horses have the opportunity to compete in the NZ$1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO and the NZ$1.5 millions 3YO race.
“On top of that is the NZ$1 million Mega Maiden Series, which has been extremely well received this season.”
