Cover image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
At A Glance
The Book 2 aggregate of NZ$$12,247,000 for 188 sold was up on 2025’s NZ$9,759,000 gross achieved over 270 yearlings sold. The sale was smaller in 2026, only one day of selling compared to two days in 2025.
The clearance rate stayed steady at 76%, the same figure for both days of Book 2 last year.
Book 2 achieved an average of NZ$65,144 compared to NZ$36,144 in 2025. The median rose significantly to NZ$60,000 compared to 2025’s median of NZ$26,750.
The top lot in book 2 was Cambridge Stud’s Lot 601, a filly by Embellish (NZ) out of 2-year-old winner Queen Of Wizardry (Not A Single Doubt) who was bought by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young for NZ$200,000. Last year’s book 2 sale topper sold for NZ$150,000.
Frankie Ting led the buyers in Book 2 by aggregate with 4 yearlings purchased for NZ$380,000 at an average of NZ$95,000. Two different buyers topped the chart by average (2 or more bought) trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood, and Lok Lor, both purchasing two yearlings each at an average of NZ$150,000.
Cambridge Stud led the vendors, selling 14 yearlings for NZ$1,195,000, at an average of NZ$85,357. Little Avondale Stud topped the vendor chart for Book 2 by average (two or more sold), selling five yearlings for an average of NZ$103,000.
The leading sire by aggregate was Sword Of State whose 24 sales netted NZ$2,277,500, while Shocking led by average with his three yearlings making an average of NZ$121,667. Profondo was the leading first season sire by average in Book 2 with 16 yearlings sold at an average of NZ$52,500.
Cambridge Stud top Book 2 with a quality Embellish filly
Cambridge Stud finished as the leading vendor of Book 2 at Karaka, and also produced the top lot of the day, the $200,000 sale of a filly by resident sire Embellish (NZ).
The filly, the second foal out of Queen Of Wizardry (Not A Single Doubt), was initially passed in at $170,000 before post-ring negotiations secured her at reserve for Cranbourne-based trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young.
Lot 601: Embellish (NZ) x Queen of Wizardry filly | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“She is a lovely filly that had a lot of her sire and grandsire (Savabeel) about her and she is out of a good Not A Single Doubt mare who is a half-sister to a Group One winner (Coco Sun),” Busuttin said.
“She (Lot 601) is a lovely filly that had a lot of her sire and grandsire about her.” - Trent Busuttin
“We trained Emphasize, who is also by Embellish, who had good ability and we have a couple by the sire that are pleasing us at home.
“It’s always great to be able to buy one from Cambridge Stud, who have presented a terrific line-up of horses this week and we’re delighted to get her.”
The result followed a standout Book 1 performance for the farm a day earlier, when a Sword Of State colt out of La Brisas (GB) (Shamardal {USA}) realised $1.1 million. The colt, a half-brother to Group 1 winner Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), marked Cambridge Stud’s first seven-figure yearling since Brendan and Jo Lindsay assumed ownership in 2017.
Trent Busuttin | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Embellish enjoyed a productive Book 2 from a small selection. David McColm purchased a filly out of Vincere (NZ) (Pins) for NZ$75,000 from the Elsdon Park draft, while Southland trainer Robert Dennis secured a filly out of the winning Toronado (Ire) mare Marcheechi for NZ$42,500 from the Inglewood draft.
Across the three fillies offered in Book 2, Embellish progeny grossed NZ$317,500 at an average of NZ$105,833 - a strong return for a sire whose 2023 service fee was NZ$5,000 (plus GST).
Forsman doubles up with Trelawney Ocean Parks
Cambridge-based trainer Andrew Forsman was an active buyer throughout Book 2, securing a total of three yearlings, with one clear pattern emerging from his spend - a pair of Ocean Park (NZ) yearlings sourced from the Trelawney Stud draft.
The first was Lot 699, a compact Ocean Park colt out of the Alamosa (NZ) mare Bhiwani (NZ), herself a two-time winner and a half-sister to G1 Avondale Cup winner Sharvasti (NZ) (Montjeu {Ire}) and G2 winner Bhandara (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
Lot 699: Ocean Park (NZ) x Bhiwani (NZ) colt | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Forsman returned to claim another Trelawney offered yearling later in the sale - Lot 754, a classy filly out of Fashion Sense (Exceed And Excel), a winner over 1400 metres and already the dam of three winners. The filly hails from the family of Elegant Fashion (Danewin), a three-time Group 2 winner in Australia who also captured the Listed Hong Kong Derby and the Listed Hong Kong International Cup Trial in Hong Kong.
Forsman Racing’s Racing Manager Joe Walker said the stable had targeted the pair early.
Lot 754: Ocean Park (NZ) x Fashion Sense filly | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“We are thrilled to pick up two nice Ocean Park yearlings from such a quality farm in Trelawney. They both caught the eye when we looked at them, firstly on the farm, and then again at Karaka.
“They both caught the eye when we looked at them, firstly on farm, and then again at Karaka.” - Joe Walker
“Ocean Park is a sire that we have been lucky enough to have had a bit of success with lately with Elle Sourit, an unbeaten mare at this stage.
"We are excited to have both. We came here today hoping to get one of them, but to end the day with both of them is very pleasing.”
Sword of State momentum rolls on
The upward trajectory of Cambridge Stud-based Sword Of State continued across both books of the sale, following a standout Book 1 performance that included the sale-topping NZ$1.1 million colt.
From a conception service fee of NZ$15,000 (plus GST), Sword Of State averaged $260,250, reinforcing his commercial appeal early in his stud career with his second crop, which can sometimes be looked at a little indifferently at times for stallions.
That momentum carried into Book 2, where the son of Snitzel grossed $2,277,500 from 24 yearlings at an average of NZ$94,895.
Among those to catch the eye was Lot 657, a filly out of Tina Again (NZ) (El Roca), purchased by Cambridge-based trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood for NZ$170,000.
Lot 657: Sword of State x Tina Again filly | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The filly is the second foal of the four-time winning mare and a full-sister to G2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial winner Swiss Prince (NZ) (El Roca). She also traces back to the family of Listed St Leger winner Exceptionally (NZ) (Ekraar {USA}).
“Sword of State has been going tremendously well. We fell in love with this filly on the farm,” co-purchaser Robert Wellwood said.
“We fell in love with this filly on the farm.” - Robert Wellwood
“She is just a really good-moving filly, a great walker. Really, her attitude was what sold us. She had a great attitude. She looks like a filly that can probably get up and go.
“There’s probably a bit of upside in the pedigree with Swiss Prince coming out and winning a Group race.”
Robert Wellwood | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Asked about the overall Book 2 market, Wellwood said buyers were finding plenty of quality.
“I think there’s some lovely horses. We’ve probably treated these three days as one book rather than Book 1 and Book 2 and we are really happy with that filly. She is a great type and by a stallion doing well.”
Touchdown connection shapes Book 2 play
The emergence of the talented Touchdown (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) was front of mind for Lindsay Park Racing Bloodstock Manager Josh Rix, who secured the half-brother to the four-time winner during Book 2.
Rix signed for Lot 625, a Shocking colt out of the dual-winning Shamardal (USA) mare Shamardal Luck, for NZ$120,000.
Apart from producing Touchdown, Shamardal Luck is an established broodmare, having left five winners including G3 Rough Habit Plate winner Shocking Luck (NZ) (also known as Zilong in Hong Kong) and seven-time winner Analytica (NZ) (Shocking), who has also been Listed placed.
Lot 625: Shocking x Shamardal Luck colt | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“I stayed the next day to make sure I was here for Book 2. We know the family so well,” Rix said.
“I stayed the next day to make sure I was here for Book 2. We know the family so well.” - Josh Rix
“The boys have got a really big opinion of Touchdown himself. Obviously, the mare is turning into a great producer. She’s got a stakes winner by Shocking, and I think Touchdown can get to stakes class.
“He’s a lovely horse.”
On the condensed catalogue and Book 2 opportunities, Rix said quality continued to attract competition.
Josh Rix | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“Yeah, opportunities are there, but I think the nice horses are making nice money. Some of the prices this morning were still getting up to six figures and there’s competitive buying.
“Some of the prices this morning were still getting up to six figures and there’s competitive buying.” - Josh Rix
“People have gone through the catalogue and picked out the nice ones that probably were maybe a little stiff not to make Book 1 or just missed the cut.
“Wherever you go, people still find the nice horses and they make their money.”
Thompson continues steady rebuild
Flemington-based trainer Glen Thompson continued the steady rebuild of his stable during Book 2, securing two colts by Sword Of State as he looks to grow numbers following the passing of former training partner Mike Moroney.
Thompson paid NZ$150,000 for Lot 585, a strong colt out of Palace Whispers (Snippetson), sourced from the Woburn Farm draft, before adding Lot 618, a colt out of Rose’s Girl (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) for NZ$30,000 from Curraghmore. The latter is a half-brother to the promising Ken Kelso-trained Levakia (NZ) (Proisir).
Lot 585: Sword of State x Palace Whispers colt | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“He’s a good, strong colt. He’s a pretty hot stallion at the moment,” Thompson said of Lot 585.
“He’s (Lot 585) a good, strong colt. He’s a pretty hot stallion at the moment.” - Glen Thompson
“That was sort of what I came here looking for, something a bit earlier. I couldn’t get near him the last couple of days, so it was good to be able to get him.
“Big, strong colt and he definitely looks like he should be up and going early, but I guess time will tell.”
Thompson said the combined Book 1 and Book 2 format had worked well for buyers.
Glen Thompson | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“It’s been good, really good. You get to see them all and compare them close together. It’s been a good couple of days.”
On the state of his stable, Thompson said patience was key.
“It’s starting to build slightly now. It’s taking a little bit of time, but we’ve just had to be patient. I’ve got a fair few yearlings and two-year-olds there at the moment, so over the next 12 months it should really start to pick up.
“We’ve got the good mare Benagil - she has a jump-out Friday and will run in a fortnight at Flemington and we will head towards the Australian Cup. She has come back really well. It’s just a shame she struck that really heavy track last run at Flemington, I think that really pulled her up.
“I’ve got 18 boxes, 12 in work at the moment, so it’s been slow, but it’s starting to pick up now.” - Glen Thompson
“I’ve got 18 boxes, 12 in work at the moment, so it’s been slow, but it’s starting to pick up now.”
Top Lots
| 601 | Embellish (NZ) | Queen of Wizardry | Bay | Filly | Cambridge Stud | Busuttin Young | $200,000 |
| 657 | Sword of State | Tina Again (NZ) | Bay | Filly | Landsdowne Park Ltd | Mr RA James / Mr R Wellwood | $170,000 |
| 838 | Sword of State | Membership | Bay | Colt | Leanach Lodge Ltd | Riversley Park/De Burgh Equine | $170,000 |
| 762 | Shocking | Gardenier (NZ) | Bay | Colt | Rich Hill Stud | Lok Lor | $160,000 |
| 585 | Sword of State | Palace Whispers | Bay | Colt | Woburn Farm | Mr G Thompson | $150,000 |
| 756 | Ardrossan | Feuilla | Bay | Colt | The Oaks Stud | Bleakley Bloodstock Ltd | $150,000 |
| 826 | Ace High | Maenoha (NZ) | Bay | Filly | Seaton Park Ltd | Rising Sun Syndicate/ Henry Dwyer Racing | $150,000 |
| 842 | Contributer (Ire) | Miss Banff | Bay | Colt | Riversley Park Ltd | BBA Ireland / BMD Bloodstock / Hurworth Bloodstock / David Skelly | $150,000 |
| 592 | Trapeze Artist | Pickup the Pieces | Black or Brown | Colt | Woburn Farm | David Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) | $145,000 |
| 801 | Per Incanto (USA) | Kechika | Bay | Colt | Little Avondale Stud | Mr Frankie Ting | $145,000 |
Buyers by gross
| Mr Frankie Ting | 4 | $380,000 | $95,000 |
| Lok Lor | 2 | $300,000 | $150,000 |
| Mr RA James / Mr R Wellwood | 2 | $300,000 | $150,000 |
| Ritchie Murray Racing / Chris Rutten Bloodstock (BAFNZ) | 3 | $275,000 | $91,667 |
| Andrew Campbell Bloodstock / T Heptinstall | 4 | $266,000 | $66,500 |
| Bleakley Bloodstock Ltd | 2 | $240,000 | $120,000 |
| Forsman Racing | 3 | $210,000 | $70,000 |
| Benner Racing Ltd | 2 | $205,000 | $102,500 |
| Busuttin Young | 1 | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| Ballymore Racing / Paul Moroney Bloodstock / Catheryne Bruggeman | 3 | $192,500 | $64,167 |
Buyers by average (2 or more bought)
| Mr RA James / Mr R Wellwood | 2 | $300,000 | $150,000 |
| Lok Lor | 2 | $300,000 | $150,000 |
| Bleakley Bloodstock Ltd | 2 | $240,000 | $120,000 |
| Benner Racing Ltd | 2 | $205,000 | $102,500 |
| Mr Taijun Wang | 2 | $190,000 | $95,000 |
| Mr Frankie Ting | 4 | $380,000 | $95,000 |
| David Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) | 2 | $185,000 | $92,500 |
| Ritchie Murray Racing / Chris Rutten Bloodstock (BAFNZ) | 3 | $275,000 | $91,667 |
| Mr G Thompson | 2 | $180,000 | $90,000 |
| Pike Racing | 2 | $170,000 | $85,000 |
Vendors by gross
| Cambridge Stud | 15 | 1 | 14 | $1,195,000 | $85,357 | |
| Waikato Stud Ltd | 22 | 4 | 18 | $902,500 | $50,139 | |
| Woburn Farm | 11 | 1 | 10 | $865,000 | $86,500 | |
| Rich Hill Stud | 16 | 2 | 5 | 9 | $812,500 | $90,278 |
| Windsor Park Stud | 17 | 2 | 4 | 11 | $805,000 | $73,182 |
| Landsdowne Park Ltd | 12 | 2 | 2 | 8 | $557,000 | $69,625 |
| Westbury Stud | 22 | 6 | 8 | 8 | $550,000 | $68,750 |
| Little Avondale Stud | 7 | 2 | 5 | $515,000 | $103,000 | |
| HGT Bloodstock Ltd | 6 | 6 | $435,000 | $72,500 | ||
| Hallmark Stud | 9 | 1 | 8 | $415,000 | $51,875 |
Vendors by average (2 or more sold)
| Little Avondale Stud | 7 | 2 | 5 | $515,000 | $103,000 | |
| Cambria Park | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | $395,000 | $98,750 |
| Riversley Park Ltd | 2 | 2 | $185,000 | $92,500 | ||
| Rich Hill Stud | 16 | 2 | 5 | 9 | $812,500 | $90,278 |
| Woburn Farm | 11 | 1 | 10 | $865,000 | $86,500 | |
| Cambridge Stud | 15 | 1 | 14 | $1,195,000 | $85,357 | |
| Leanach Lodge Ltd | 4 | 4 | $315,000 | $78,750 | ||
| The Oaks Stud | 4 | 1 | 3 | $226,000 | $75,333 | |
| Windsor Park Stud | 17 | 2 | 4 | 11 | $805,000 | $73,182 |
| HGT Bloodstock Ltd | 6 | 6 | $435,000 | $72,500 |
Sires by gross
| Sword Of State | 25 | 1 | 24 | $2,277,500 | $94,896 | |
| Ardrossan | 24 | 2 | 3 | 19 | $1,182,000 | $62,211 |
| Noverre (NZ) | 23 | 2 | 3 | 18 | $1,072,500 | $59,583 |
| Profondo | 25 | 2 | 7 | 16 | $840,000 | $52,500 |
| Per Incanto (USA) | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | $520,000 | $104,000 |
| Satono Aladdin (Jpn) | 14 | 1 | 5 | 8 | $511,000 | $63,875 |
| Almanzor (Fr) | 9 | 9 | $463,500 | $51,500 | ||
| Hello Youmzain (Fr) | 18 | 3 | 6 | 9 | $395,000 | $43,889 |
| Shocking | 3 | 3 | $365,000 | $121,667 | ||
| Embellish (NZ) | 3 | 3 | $317,500 | $105,833 |
Sires by average (2 or more sold)
| Shocking | 3 | 3 | $365,000 | $121,667 | ||
| Embellish (NZ) | 3 | 3 | $317,500 | $105,833 | ||
| Sweynesse | 4 | 2 | 2 | $210,000 | $105,000 | |
| Per Incanto (USA) | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | $520,000 | $104,000 |
| Sword Of State | 25 | 1 | 24 | $2,277,500 | $94,896 | |
| Shamexpress (NZ) | 3 | 1 | 2 | $185,000 | $92,500 | |
| Contributer (Ire) | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | $165,000 | $82,500 |
| Tassort | 2 | 1 | 1 | $80,000 | $80,000 | |
| Tarzino (NZ) | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | $210,000 | $70,000 |
| Derryn | 3 | 3 | $205,000 | $68,333 |
