Karaka Book 2 Concludes with Spirited Bidding

Media Release - Saturday March 12

Spirited bidding concluded New Zealand Bloodstock’s 96th National Yearling Sales Series, with a competitive buying bench bringing the final day of trading to a close.

Day Three of Book 2 at Karaka 2022 saw two yearlings fetch price tags over the $200,000 threshold.

Lot 1063, the Tivaci filly, was purchased out of Beckam Equine’s Book 2 draft for $250,000. Photo: Trish Dunell

Lot 1063, a Tivaci filly out of Pins mare Short Tale (NZ) was purchased for $250,000, making her the highest priced yearling sold during Book 2 and surpassing last year’s highlight price of $200,000.

Featuring in the draft of Beckam Equine and heralding from a stakes-winning family, she was secured by trainer Robert Wellwood and Roger James of Kingsclere Stables, in collaboration with bloodstock agents Bevan Smith and Andrew Williams.

Robert Wellwood commented on his highlight purchase of the final day.

“She was an absolute stand-out filly. The three of us looked at her and a good owner of theirs had come on board to help secure her. We all had grins on our faces and couldn’t believe such a nice filly was catalogued today.”

“We can’t wait to get this filly home and into the stable, because she is truly a star,” he said.

The second highlight kicked off Day Three with a bang, after Lot 968 sold early in the session for $230,000. With fierce competition in the ring, the Almanzor colt out of Our Foil (Danzero) was purchased by Raptors Thoroughbred and Mr BQ Sun from Milan Park’s draft.

The buyers were purchasing on the advice of NZB Bloodstock Sales Representative Alex Teng, who commented on the quality of the colt.

“He is by Almanzor, the flying sire of the moment, who had another winner last night in Australia. Everyone loves him as a stallion,”

“Type-wise, this colt is really outstanding. He looks sharp, is athletic and is a great walker so he just ticks all of the boxes,” Teng said.

Tony Rider from Milan Park Stud was thrilled with the result for the son of Almanzor.

“He had 12 X-Ray hits, so we knew he would be strong but not to that level, so it’s very nice to achieve this price.”

“It was very exciting and I want to say thanks to both the purchasers and under bidders, who were very strong to the line, I really appreciate it.”

“NZB actually wanted him in Book 1 but we decided to hold him back as a big fish in a small pond and it worked,” Rider said.

Advertisement

At the conclusion of Book 2, the leading buyer by aggregate was Hong Kong-based Paul Chow of Tartan Meadow Bloodstock, who secured six yearlings for a total spend of $430,000.

Hot on his heels was kiwi ex-pat trainer Patrick Payne, who travelled over from Victoria to purchase six lots for an aggregate spend of $424,000.

The leading vendor by aggregate for Book 2 was Karaka-based nursery, Haunui Farm, after selling 23 yearlings for a total turnover of $1,208,000. Central Districts-based Little Avondale Stud sits in second place, after 12 yearlings sold for an aggregate of $773,500.

Beckam Equine topped the leading vendor by average table, selling three lots for an average of $102,333. While Milan Park was next on the table having sold six horses for an average of $84,917.

New Zealand Bloodstock Managing Director Andrew Seabrook was delighted with the strong finish to Book 2.

“There was no hiding the fact that it was a slow start on the first day of Book 2, but it went from strength to strength and today was actually very buoyant.”

“This year we sold 22 horses for more than $100,000, opposed to just 15 last year, which goes to show that the top of the market is stronger than it has ever been.

“I would like to thank our vendors for entrusting us with their quality bloodstock and our buyers, both domestic and international, whether they were on the grounds or bidding from afar, we appreciate your custom and wish you all the best with your new purchases.”

To enquire about Passed Lots in Book 2, 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 Book 2 online.

View the full Karaka 2022 results here.

Karaka 2022 Book 2 Statistics
  2022 BOOK 2 TOTAL 2021 BOOK 2 TOTAL 2020 BOOK 2 TOTAL
AGGREGATE $10,036,000 $8,853,000 $9,873,500
AVERAGE $40,632 $41,759 $35,012
MEDIAN $30,000 $30,000 $25,000
CLEARANCE 64% 76% 69%
CATALOGUED 466 339 473
SOLD 247 212 282
TOP LOT Lot 1063 Tivaci - Short Tale (B.F) $250,000 Lot 725 Churchill - Astrid (Ch.F) $200,000 Lot 859 Vadamos - Silke Top (B.C) $185,000
2022 Book 2 Top Lots
LOT TYPE BREEDING VENDOR PURCHASER LOCATION PRICE
1063 B.F Tivaci / Short Tale Beckam Equine Mr RA James / Mr R Wellwood / Bevan Smith Bloodstock / Andrew Williams Bloodstock Waikato $250,000
968 B.C Almanzor / Our Foil Milan Park Raptors Thoroughbred Auckland $230,000
954 BR.F Turn Me Loose / Nightofpassion Windsor Park Stud Paul Moroney Bloodstock / Wyborn Bloodstock Auckland $220,000
756 BR.C Vadamos / Call Me Blondie Haunui Farm Mr RA James & Mr R Wellwood Waikato $180,000
1092 B.F Proisir / Strictly Time Haunui Farm Andrew Williams Bloodstock / Anthony Freedman Racing New South Wales $170,000
686 B.C War Decree / Word Savvy Ralph Thoroughbreds Regal Farm / Legend Bloodstock / Upper Bloodstock Hong Kong $150,000
894 BB.C Proisir / Knockout Rich Hill Stud Tartan Meadow Bloodstock Hong Kong $150,000
937 BR.C Ace High / Miss Milliner Archer Park Mr PB Payne Victoria $140,000
941 B.C Ardrossan / Miss Rule Prima Park Tartan Meadow Bloodstock Hong Kong $130,000
990 B.C Tivaci / Pins on Ice Little Avondale Stud Emerald Bloodstock Waikato $130,000
812 B.F Time Test / Endeavour Little Avondale Stud Mr SA Sharrock Taranaki $120,000
1029 B.C Ace High / Rue Mai Rich Hill Stud Lisa Latta Racing Manawatu-Whanganui $120,000
869 B.C Belardo / Invisible Coin Haunui Farm Vandyke Racing / Hughes Bloodstock Queensland $115,000
2022 Book 2 Leading Purchasers by Aggregate
PURCHASER PURCHASED AGGREGATE AVERAGE TOP PRICE TOP LOT
Tartan Meadow Bloodstock 6 $430,000 $71,667 $150,000 894
Mr PB Payne 6 $424,000 $70,667 $140,000 937
Wexford Stables 6 $417,000 $69,500 $110,000 796
Paul Moroney Bloodstock / Ballymore Stables 5 $360,000 $72,000 $110,000 690
Lisa Latta Racing 7 $323,500 $46,214 $120,000 1029
Raptors Thoroughbred 2 $270,000 $135,000 $230,000 968
Mr RA James / Mr R Wellwood / Bevan Smith Bloodstock / Andrew Williams Bloodstock 1 $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 1063
Paul Moroney Bloodstock / Wyborn Bloodstock 1 $220,000 $220,000 $220,000 954
Mr SA Sharrock 3 $188,000 $62,667 $120,000 812
Mr RA James & Mr R Wellwood 1 $180,000 $180,000 $180,000 756
2022 Book 2 Leading Vendors by Aggregate
VENDOR SOLD AGGREGATE AVERAGE TOP PRICE TOP LOT
Haunui Farm 23 $1,208,000 $52,522 $180,000 756
Little Avondale Stud 12 $773,500 $64,458 $130,000 990
Rich Hill Stud 13 $763,000 $58,692 $150,000 894
Windsor Park Stud 15 $667,500 $44,500 $220,000 954
Milan Park 6 $509,500 $84,917 $230,000 968
Valachi Downs 9 $483,500 $53,722 $110,000 888
Kilgravin Lodge 10 $410,000 $41,000 $110,000 737
Westbury Stud 10 $354,500 $35,450 $57,500 679
Ralph Thoroughbreds 7 $352,000 $50,286 $150,000 686
Seaton Park 10 $342,500 $34,250 $102,500 939
2022 Book 2 Leading Vendors by Average (three or more sold)
VENDOR SOLD AVERAGE AGGREGATE TOP PRICE TOP LOT
Beckam Equine 3 $102,333 $307,000 $250,000 1063
Milan Park 6 $84,917 $509,500 $230,000 968
Little Avondale Stud 12 $64,458 $773,500 $130,000 990
Prima Park 5 $60,400 $302,000 $130,000 941
Rich Hill Stud 13 $58,692 $763,000 $150,000 894
Valachi Downs 9 $53,722 $483,500 $110,000 888
Phoenix Park 3 $53,333 $160,000 $85,000 1009
Haunui Farm 23 $52,522 $1,208,000 $180,000 756
Ralph Thoroughbreds 7 $50,286 $352,000 $150,000 686
Berkley Stud 7 $44,571 $312,000 $100,000 966
2022 Book 2 Leading Sires by Average (three or more sold)
SIRE SOLD AVERAGE AGGREGATE TOP PRICE TOP LOT
Tivaci 4 $113,000 $452,000 $250,000 1063
Almanzor 4 $108,250 $433,000 $230,000 968
Ardrossan* 3 $97,333 $292,000 $130,000 941
Vadamos 4 $86,875 $347,500 $180,000 756
Proisir 9 $69,000 $621,000 $170,000 1092
War Decree 8 $68,563 $548,500 $150,000 686
Time Test 14 $50,714 $710,000 $120,000 812
Turn Me Loose 12 $46,542 $558,500 $220,000 954
Ace High* 15 $44,467 $667,000 $140,000 937
U S Navy Flag* 12 $42,250 $507,000 $110,000 888

*First season Sire

2022 Book 2 First Season Sires (three or more sold)
SIRE SOLD AGGREGATE AVERAGE TOP PRICE TOP LOT
Ardrossan* 3 $292,000 $97,333 $130,000 941
Ace High* 15 $667,000 $44,467 $140,000 937
U S Navy Flag* 12 $507,000 $42,250 $110,000 888
Staphanos* 11 $445,500 $40,500 $85,000 872
Embellish* 11 $347,000 $31,545 $65,000 920

*NZ First season Sire

Advertisment
More Reading...
Trelawney Trio Shine at Inglis Easter
Trelawney Stud were quietly confident they had taken the right trio of yearlings across to the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in Sydney this week and that was reflected with some outstanding results. 
The Boss Lady Wins G3 Roma Cup and a Quokka Slot
Roma Cup Day at Ascot is a celebration of equine speed with the three feature races all run over 1100m and Street Boss (USA) provided the star of the show in The Boss Lady, who has been tonight announced to fill the $5million Quokka slot for Peters Investments.
El Vencedor Primed for Hong Kong
It is full steam ahead for the connections of El Vencedor, as the star galloper jets off to Hong Kong on Thursday in preparation for the Gr.1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on April 27.
Geese That Lay Golden Eggs – What’s in the Future?
The 2025 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale was highlighted by 25 yearlings that sold for $1million or more which was seven more than last year when 18 were in the millionaires club following on from 26 in 2023.
Te Akau Purchase $1million Snitzel Colt From Kiwi Bred Mare
Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis was once again to the fore in the sales ring this week, but this time at Inglis’ Easter Yearling Sale in Sydney.
The Road Less Travelled - Inglis Easter
Is it possible for a budget conscious breeder to make their mark in a super selective and super elite sale such as Inglis Easter? With the clearance now hitting 87% following five additional sales since Monday night it turns out the answer is yes.
Inglis Easter Pinhook Winners - See the Full List
With a super strong market at Inglis Easter this week it was no surprise to see some very successful pinhook results and the best of them was a handsome chestnut colt from the first crop of Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside that sold for $650,000.
Arrowfield Announce 2025 Fees
In the wake of his third Golden Slipper winner and his career-best yearling sale results, multiple Champion Sire Snitzel heads the 2025 Arrowfield stallion roster at an unchanged fee of $247,500, while Castelvecchio has earned a deserved fee increase.
FBAA Professional Development Day- Food for Thought
The Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia’s third Continued Professional Development Day was again held at Randwick Racecourse on Tuesday 8th April 2025 and was hosted by MC Vin Cox.
Almanzor Mare Benefits from Maturity
Time was always going to benefit Mehzebeen and the Almanzor mare continues to emphasise that in her five-year-old season.