Solid day of trade kicks off Karaka 2025
NZB’s National Yearling Sales Series started on the right note on Sunday, with a strong first day of trade for Book 1.
At the close of selling for the opening session, a total of 163 lots sold for $26,665,000 at an average of $163,589, while the clearance rate reached 73%.
The top lot was made early in the day with Lot 6, a colt by in-vogue stallion Wootton Bassett making $725,000.
Bred by Nearco Stud and offered out of Gordon Cunningham’s Curraghmore draft, the colt was secured by the combination of Michael Freedman, Michael Wallace and Tom Magnier.
“He’s a lovely athletic type, reminded me a bit of Pallaton,” commented Sydney-based trainer Michael Freedman.
“We liked him the first time we saw him, we were very keen to try to buy him and it’s great to partner up with Coolmore.
“There’s quite a bit of depth to the catalogue here, the Kiwi’s breed great racehorses.
“We’ll see if we can get a few more before we go, particularly by stallions we can’t really access back in Australia.”
The second biggest lot of Day One came when Lot 168, a filly by Too Darn Hot, sold for $675,000.
Also offered by Curraghmore and purchased by Michael Freedman, this time in combination with James Harron and Tony Fung as part of a fillies partnership.
“We were delighted to get her, she’s just a very classy filly, from a lovely family and a very exciting stallion. It all stacked up,” commented Australian-based agent James Harron.
“She comes from a very good farm in Curraghmore, who just keep getting winner after winner.
“It’s great to be back at Karaka. The horses do the talking, some superstars that we all dream about trying to get our hands on.”
NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook was encouraged by the steady results and particularly excited about the diverse buying bench on the complex.
“The range of buyers active today here at Karaka has been great to see. The complex has been busy over the past few days and to see that reflected in the sales ring is very satisfying.”
“Last year’s Day One was exceptionally strong, featuring the $1.6 million top lot, and while we haven’t quite reached those numbers today, a look at previous Day One, Book 1 results shows that we are tracking very well.”
Selling continues on Monday for Day Two of Book 1, where lots 251 – 480 will go through the ring from 10am (NZT) at Karaka.
The Sale is televised live in New Zealand on SKY Country TV channel 81 (Book 1), Freeview Channel 200, as well as on NZB’s website, online bidding platform and Facebook page. For those watching from Australia, Book 1 is streamed live on Racing.com.
Catch the highlights and Lot-by-Lot footage from Day One online here.
View the full Book 1, Day One results here.
Karaka 2025 Sale Statistics (as at end of selling)
| 2025 BOOK 1, DAY ONE | 2024 BOOK 1, DAY ONE | 2023 BOOK 1, DAY ONE | 2022 BOOK 1, DAY ONE | 2021 BOOK 1, DAY ONE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AGGREGATE | $26,665,000 | $30,725,500 | $22,420,000 | $20,042,500 | $17,047,500 |
| AVERAGE | $163,589 | $195,704 | $160,143 | $159,067 | $130,134 |
| MEDIAN | $120,000 | $150,000 | $147,500 | $125,000 | $100,000 |
| CLEARANCE | 73% | 73% | 73% | 69% | 73% |
| CATALOGUED | 250 | 240 | 220 | 220 | 200 |
| OFFERED | 223 | 215 | 192 | 184 | 176 |
| SOLD | 163 | 157 | 140 | 126 | 131 |
| TOP LOT | Lot 6 Wootton Bassett - Il Affare (B.C) $725,000 | Lot 21 Proisir - Donna Marie (Ch.F) $1,600,000 | Lot 59 Savabeel - Bayrock (B.C) $625,000 | Lot 161 Savabeel - Chandelier (B.C) $1,000,000 | Lot 94 Zoustar - Scintillula (B.F) $800,000 |
Karaka 2025: Book 1, Day One Top Lots
| Lot | Sire | Dam | Sex | Vendor Name | Purchaser | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Wootton Bassett | Il Affare | Colt | Curraghmore | Michael Freedman / Tom Magnier / Mick Wallace (NSW) | $725,000. |
| 168 | Too Darn Hot | On the Ball | Filly | Curraghmore | James Harron Bloodstock Pty Ltd / Michael Freedman Racing / Tony Fung Filly Partnership (NSW) | $675,000. |
| 11 | Savabeel | Indecision | Colt | Trelawney Stud | The Hong Kong Jockey Club (Hong Kong) | $625,000. |
| 103 | Wootton Bassett | Matagouri | Colt | Windsor Park Stud | Mick Price Racing & Breeding (VIC) | $600,000. |
| 149 | Satono Aladdin | No More Doubt | Colt | Rich Hill Stud | The Hong Kong Jockey Club (Hong Kong) | $525,000. |
| 18 | Proisir | Irish Colleen | Colt | Haunui Farm | Tartan Meadow Bloodstock (Hong Kong) | $450,000. |
| 169 | Satono Aladdin | On the Move | Colt | Landsdowne Park | Patella Bloodstock (Waikato) | $400,000. |
| 127 | Proisir | Moonlover | Filly | Kilgravin Lodge | Group 1 Bloodstock Pty Ltd (VIC) | $380,000. |
| 154 | Hello Youmzain | Nucleonic | Colt | Phoenix Park | Tartan Meadow Bloodstock (Hong Kong) | $375,000. |
| 188 | Per Incanto | Parmalove | Filly | Inglewood Stud | Go Racing / Blandford Bloodstock (Auckland) | $375,000. |
