Clearance Rate Soars on Karaka Book 1 Day 2

Media Release - Monday January 25

The momentum gathered on the opening day of New Zealand Bloodstock’s 95th National Yearling Sales Series continued today on Day Two of Book 1, with the clearance rate rising to a healthy 80%. 

Bloodstock Sales Manager Danny Rolston is buoyed with the outcome at the closure of trading on the second day.

“Climbing from a 73% clearance rate to 80% is no mean feat in one day's selling.”

“This strong result is a testament to our vendors who were willing to meet the market, as well as buyers involvement both locally and internationally, who are keen to invest in the New Zealand thoroughbred,” he said.

New Zealand-based stallions were in high demand throughout the second day, represented by eight of the top ten highest priced lots.

Tavistock, Savabeel, Ocean Park and Iffraaj were responsible for the day’s four highest priced lots, with Sir Peter Vela’s Pencarrow Stud draft responsible for the top two.

$520,000 Tavistock colt from Echezeaux.

The highlight of the day was Lot 367, a Tavistock colt out of Echezeaux (NZ) (Encosta de Lago) purchased by Te Akau’s David Ellis (CNZM) for $520,000. Hailing from one of Pencarrow Stud’s famous families, the colt is closely related to champion sires Darci Brahma and the late Burgundy.

Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards secured the colt over the phone for Ellis and was pleased with the stable’s latest edition.

“He was a beautiful colt, a bit neater and less rangy than some of the other Tavistock’s that could potentially need some time.

“We think he can be up and running in the Autumn as a two-year-old and develop into a 2000 Guineas-winning colt,” Richards commented.

Greg Tomlinson was responsible for the second highest purchase of the day, another Pencarrow-bred yearling (Lot 254) by Savabeel out of Asama Blue (Fastnet Rock) secured for $450,000.

The distinguished breeder is known for producing standout performers such as Hong Kong giant Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock) and recent New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner Khama Lass (NZ) (Darci Brahma) and was pleased with his latest addition.

Advertisement

“What I liked about the filly was her international pedigree,” Tomlinson said.

“She is out of a top American family and was an excellent type, which was confirmed with strong competition.

“I know of the mare who is also a great type from the renowned Pencarrow nursery which have some fine horses under Sir Peter and Leon’s stewardess.

“I believe her pedigree will go well with our domestic stallions and I’m delighted to be able to support the New Zealand industry,” he said.

Several vendors cleared a solid day of trading, highlighted by leading vendor by average on Day Two Trelawney Stud, selling eight lots for an average of $246,875. 

Hallmark Stud and Woburn Farm followed a similar trend, selling eleven and twelve lots for an overall average of $175,455 and $175,417 respectively.

View the full results from Day One and Day Two of Book 1 here.

To enquire about Passed Lots contact Regan Donnison on +64 21 512 466 or email regan.donnison@nzb.co.nz or Kane Jones on +64 27 274 4985 or email kane.jones@nzb.co.nz.

Catch the highlights and Lot-by-Lot footage from Day Three here.

Selling continues on Day Three of Book 1 tomorrow where the remaining 189 lots will go through the ring from 1PM (NZT) at Karaka.

2021 BOOK 1, DAY ONE & TWO

2020 BOOK 1 TOTAL

AGGREGATE

$34,711,000

$67,130,000

AVERAGE

$124,860

$138,698

MEDIAN

$100,000

$107,500

CLEARANCE

80%

79%

CATALOGUED

390

677

SOLD

278

484

TOP LOT

Lot 94 Zoustar - Scintillula (B.F) $800,000

Lot 155 Pierro - Our Squeezer (B. or Br.C) $900,000

Advertisment
More Reading...
MRC Committee Returned Unopposed
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has confirmed the results of the 2025 nominations for the MRC Executive Committee and the Mornington Advisory Group (MAG), which will be formally ratified at the Club’s Annual General Meeting on 25 September.
Sir Stanley Goosman’s Impact on the National Yearling Sale
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand, and a prominent buyer during the history of the Sale was Stanley Goosman (later Sir Stanley).  He was a key player at the Sale during the World War II era, and headed the list of winning owners in New Zealand on 10 occasions.
Ole Kirk share headlines strong September (Early) Online Sale
A share in - and mares in foal to - reigning Champion First Season Sire Ole Kirk are joined by a bevy of quality racing and breeding stock in the Inglis Digital September (Early) Online Sale, which is now open for bidding.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 9
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Kiwi Cup Hopeful Headed to Melbourne
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Wolfgang will fly to Melbourne on Wednesday to commence his path towards the A$10 million feature.
Cogburn Sire Not This Time on Fire at Keeneland September
If you have been considering sending a mare to Widden Stud’s exciting new shuttle sire Cogburn (USA) or have already booked one in you are going to be pretty interested in what is going on at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale this week where his sire Not This Time is in hot demand.
$3.3million Gun Runner Colt Tops Keeneland September Day 1
Keeneland’s 2025 September Yearling Sale began Monday with double-digit gains while posting a record average price of $653,208 and selling 15 horses for $1 million or more led by a colt by Gun Runner for $3.3 million to M.V. Magnier and Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm. The average topped the previous record $611,038 for a single session set during Day 2 in 2024, and the number of seven-
Tragic News from Milburn Creek – Vale, Secret Admirer
Spring brings so many foaling stories from our studs each year and while the majority have a happy ending, sometimes things sadly don’t go as planned.
Vale, Ryan Smith
Victorian breeding farm Kulani Park are mourning the loss of partner and family member Ryan Smith.
Mulberry Racing Purchase $550,000 Colt at Keeneland September
Australian based Mulberry Racing featured on the buyers list during the first session of the Keenland September Yearling Sale purchasing a colt by Quality Road for $550,000.