Cover image courtesy of Trish Dunell
As New Zealand Bloodstock prepares for the 100th National Yearling Sale at Karaka, the industry is pausing to reflect on a century of thoroughbred sales. From the early guineas at Trentham, where the sale was intertwined with the Wellington racing carnival, to the purpose-built Karaka complex that now hosts buyers from across Australasia and Asia, the event has long been a benchmark for quality bloodstock.
Over the decades, it has produced horses that have left a mark on the turf - from local Champions to internationally recognised names - while adapting to shifts in breeding, ownership, and global demand. In January 2026, attention turns to a centenary sale with a new format, fresh opportunities for buyers, and a continuing story of New Zealand’s thoroughbred industry connecting pedigree, performance, and market.
From Trentham to Karaka
Few sales anywhere in the world can match New Zealand’s National Yearling Sale for the calibre of its graduates.
Horses such as Phar Lap (NZ) (Night Raid {GB}), Rising Fast (NZ) (Alonzo {GB}), Tulloch (NZ), Dulcify (NZ), Octagonal (NZ), and So You Think (NZ) helped shape Australasian racing, while many went on to succeed internationally, particularly in Australia and Hong Kong.
The sale has always been where careful preparation meets judgement and opportunity: breeders bring horses nurtured with meticulous care, while buyers seek potential that can translate from paddock to racetrack.
1927 Karaka National Yearling sale at Trentham | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Karaka graduates continue to appear on major racing stages, reinforcing the reputation of New Zealand-bred yearlings for performance and durability. The sale remains a critical point where the industry’s past meets its present - a place that reflects not only pedigree but also decades of evolving breeding and sales practices.
Before Karaka became synonymous with the National Yearling Sale, Trentham Racecourse provided a distinctive environment.
John Cameron, New Zealand Bloodstock International Bloodstock Manager, who first attended the sale in 1966, remembers clerking alongside auctioneers Peter Kelly, Bill Patterson, and Dave Clarkson, under the guidance of Michael Floyd at Wright, Stephenson and Co. bloodstock.
John Cameron | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“Trentham was a unique place - neutral territory for all the stud farms, and the Trentham races went on at the same time. It was a real carnival atmosphere,” Cameron said, recalling the combination of racing, sales, and social interaction that made the event special.
“Trentham was a unique place... It was a real carnival atmosphere.” - John Cameron
Garry Chittick, principal of Waikato Stud, adds colour to the memory:
“A big plus back when the sales were held at Trentham was that it was held at the racecourse. It was very unique and it was great to watch the races and have the sales around the big race meeting. Wellington was a very compact, small city back then.
“Everyone went back to town and all stayed at the James Cook, so socially it was very fun. The racing at the time was brilliant also, with the Wellington Cup, the Thorndon Mile, and the Telegraph all being very good races.”
“A big plus back when the sales were held at Trentham was that it was held at the racecourse... it was great to watch the races and have the sales around.” - Garry Chittick
These early sales were not only social occasions but also serious business. By the late 1980s, turnover had increased substantially.
Garry Chittick | Image courtesy of Waikato Stud
Cameron recalled the 1987 sale: “To culminate with a big sale at Trentham in 1987, the top price was $800,000 - a Sir Tristram filly who I was lucky enough to auction. From memory, the average was about $110,000, and we turned over something like $44 or $45 million.
“Going back to 1987, that was big money. It was a big atmosphere, a big occasion, and wonderful to be part of.”
A modern sale ground
By the mid-1980s, Trentham’s facilities were showing their age, and Auckland offered potentially better access for international buyers. The heart of the breeding industry had also shifted north into the Waikato, making Karaka a logical choice with the space available.
Around 1985–86, the proposal to move the sale was presented largely as a fait accompli, though the wider industry understood the necessity.
Chittick reflected on the broader breeding trends influencing the move:
“The change to Karaka was a major. Not long prior to going back up north, most of the breeding strength was actually south of Taupo. Up to 1974, I think, you had stallions like Sobig, Oncidium, and Pakistan all standing south of Taupo, and after then Three Legs. The industry tends to follow the stallions a bit.
“There was certainly a desire to move to Auckland, and a lot of thought that there would be much more of an international presence being up in Auckland with the airport.”
“There was certainly a desire to move to Auckland, and a lot of thought that there would be much more of an international presence being up in Auckland.” - Garry Chittick
The shift north was not only geographical but symbolic of the growing globalisation of New Zealand’s thoroughbred industry. Moving the sale to Karaka signaled an ambition to position New Zealand bloodstock on the international stage, providing buyers with a world-class viewing experience and greater accessibility for overseas clients.
Karaka Sales Complex | Image courtesy of Teara
Chittick recalled the attention to detail in designing Karaka: “When they did move, they did a great job with the complex. They travelled all around the world inspecting complexes and did a great job. Karaka is a great viewing complex. There is plenty of room.”
When it was built and the sale moved to Karaka, everyone just got on with it, and the superb quality of the new venue very quickly won people over. Karaka is one of the best things to come out of New Zealand’s 1980s bloodstock boom.
Even with the benefits of Karaka, compromises remained. Breeders north of Taupo had felt disadvantaged at Trentham, and those south of Taupo felt similarly after the move.
Chittick acknowledged this reality: “But Karaka has worked fantastically well, and it has been and will continue to be a great complex and where ever you fit location wise, either could be tricky.”
“Karaka has worked fantastically well, and it has been and will continue to be a great complex and where ever you fit location wise.” - Garry Chittick
Cameron agreed, describing the complex as “world class, no doubt about that. It’s so workable - the horses are accessible, there is space to walk them up, the auction ring itself, and the beautiful grounds with the trees. It’s unique.”
Evolving with the Industry
The National Yearling Sale has evolved alongside New Zealand Bloodstock. Seabrook joined Wrightson Bloodstock in 1992, then witnessed the company’s acquisition by Sir Peter and Philip Vela and its rebranding as New Zealand Bloodstock.
Over time, the company introduced financial services, developed the Gavelhouse online auction platform, and built client accommodation, reflecting the industry’s shift toward professionalism, technology, and international engagement.
Sir Peter Vela | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Managing Director Of New Zealand Bloodstock, Andrew Seabrook, explained the changing nature of the company. “It is not a company that has stood still. In 1992, when it was Wrightson’s, we basically sold horses and flew horses. When Sir Peter and Philip bought the company at the end of 1996, they really brought some energy and changed it up, so to speak.
“We introduced the finance company and then, probably eight years ago, Gavelhouse started. We were the first physical auction company in the world to launch an online sales presence, selling horses by auction online, and then, of course, we built the hotel. There have been a lot of changes.
“We were the first physical auction company in the world to launch an online sales presence, selling horses by auction online.” - Andrew Seabrook
“It is amazing that we have been going for 100 years with no breaks or interruptions. During World War II we kept on going, and Covid was a huge challenge. To be able to get through those two years was incredible - seeing how the industry pulled together and how we were able to conduct two sales with no international buyers present, and still achieve such good results, was an incredible feat. Not just by NZB, but by all our vendors who embraced the photos, the videos, and the online presence.”
“Those were the two most challenging years during my time. Let’s hope it is another hundred.”
Andrew Seabrook | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Despite these changes, the sale remains the country’s flagship event. Cameron described it as “the flagbearer,” where New Zealand breeders present their top yearlings to both domestic and international buyers.
New Zealand-bred graduates continue to appear consistently at the highest levels worldwide, demonstrating the sale’s enduring impact on racing, breeding, and bloodstock trade.
Looking Ahead: Karaka 2026
As the centenary approaches in January, anticipation and reflection combine. Seabrook said that even small details, like historical photographs around the complex, highlight the sale’s legacy: “It’s been the talk of the industry - not just in New Zealand and Australia, but Asia - having the hundredth sale.”
“Just walking down the driveway this morning makes me immensely proud of how the place is decked out, and to see some of those old photos from the 1900s is awesome.”
“Just walking down the driveway this morning makes me immensely proud.” - Andrew Seabrook
Cameron added perspective on the milestone: “I look forward to Karaka 2026 this January to celebrate the milestone. One hundred years is of great significance. There are a lot of memories and people, past and present.”
The 100th sale will also feature a revised format. Book 1 will be condensed from three days to two, focusing on quality, Book 2 remains a single-day sale, and the new Karaka Summer Sale provides additional opportunities for buyers and breeders.
These changes are designed to continue the sale’s role in shaping the local and international bloodstock market.
“One hundred years is of great significance. There are a lot of memories and people, past and present.” - Andrew Seabrook
After 100 years, the National Yearling Sale remains a record of New Zealand thoroughbred history - from Trentham’s carnival atmosphere to the structured world-class complex at Karaka - continuing to influence breeding, selling, and racing on a global scale.
