Karaka 2023 Catalogue Online

Media Release - Monday November 21

With a series of spring racetrack successes followed by a blockbuster Ready to Run Sale, the New Zealand industry has been on a high in recent weeks, and now New Zealand Bloodstock is keen to keep that momentum rolling right through to its main event – Karaka 2023. 

A star-studded catalogue has been unveiled for the 97th National Yearling Sales Series, which this year returns to its traditional timeslot in late January. The stage is set for a six-day selling extravaganza, with Book 1 running from 29 to 31 January and Book 2 following right in its footsteps from 1 to 3 February.

The quality of the New Zealand thoroughbred has been clear for all to see on the big stage in Australia this spring, and Book 1 of Karaka 2023 will shine a spotlight on yearling siblings to the likes of A$10m Golden Eagle (1500m) hero I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel), Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) winner and Cox Plate (2040m) runner-up I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking), and big-race performers Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) and Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars).

The catalogue features a half-brother to Golden Eagle winner I Wish I Win.

Karaka 2023 marks a return to normal following an unprecedented Karaka 2022, which was shifted to March due to restrictions arising from COVID-19 and was also closed to the general public.

Another impact of the pandemic in recent seasons has been the absence of international buyers, whose last visit to a Karaka yearling sale was in January of 2020. Last week’s successful Ready to Run Sale clearly showed what a difference that foreign flavour makes at the Karaka sales complex, and NZB is looking forward to welcoming a full complement of overseas buyers back through its doors in January of 2023.

“The Ready to Run Sale was very successful, particularly the second day, and it’s given us some real momentum as we build into our yearling sale in January,” NZB Bloodstock Executive Kane Jones said.

“And you combine that with a spring for the history books for kiwi-breds and Karaka graduates in Australia. They’ve won at Group One level over a sprint distance with Roch ‘N’ Horse (NZ) (Per Incanto), over a staying trip with No Compromise (NZ) (Pins), and scored many other major victories in between including wins by  Callsign Mav (NZ), Sharp 'N' Smart (NZ) and Smokin Romans (NZ).

“It’s been an outstanding few months that have really showcased the types of horses that we produce in this country, and now we’re really looking forward to offering another top-quality selection of yearlings at Karaka 2023.

“I’ve completed on-farm inspections of almost all of the yearlings already and have been very impressed by what I’ve seen.

“The standard is very high across the board. We can’t wait to showcase these horses in front of an international audience, which we’ll have back on site for a yearling sale for the first time in three years.

“It’s going to be fantastic, and we’re really looking forward to welcoming back some familiar faces and welcoming new ones as well,” he said.

Advertisement

The Karaka 2023 catalogues have strength in both numbers and quality, with an elite selection of 644 yearlings to go under the hammer in Book 1, followed by another 435 in a quality Book 2 offering.

There are over 100 siblings to stakes winners in Book 1, with the spring carnival stars highlighted above backed up by the likes of Noverre (NZ) (Savabeel), Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), Cool Aza Beel (NZ) (Savabeel), Mustang Valley (NZ) (Vanbrugh), Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry), Kermadec (NZ) (Teofilo), Lim’s Kosciuszko (Kermadec), Excelida (Exceed And Excel), Dynastic (NZ) (Almanzor), Vespa (Elusive City), Subpoenaed (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle), Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle), Aloisia (NZ) (Azamour), Madison County (NZ) (Pins), Lizzie L’Amour (NZ) (Zabeel), Hezashocka (NZ) (Shocking) and Tiptronic (NZ) (O’Reilly).

Book 1 also features sons and daughters of 89 stakes-winning mares, and it will showcase the progeny of a high-flying group of kiwi sires who have starred on both sides of the Tasman this spring, such as SavabeelAlmanzorPer IncantoProisirVadamosVanbrugh and Ocean Park (NZ).

Australian stallions are also represented too through the likes of So You Think (NZ), Extreme ChoiceCapitalistDeep FieldDundeel (NZ), Fastnet RockPierroRussian RevolutionWritten Tycoon and Zoustar.

Buyers will also get an early glimpse of the next generation, with yearlings by first-crop stallions Super SethTen SovereignsAlabama ExpressBlue PointCastelvecchioCosmic ForceD’ArgentoDubiousExceedanceFerrando (NZ), Magna GreciaMicrophoneOmaha BeachPierataSneaking To WinStrasbourgToo Darn HotWyndspelle (NZ), Yes Yes Yes and Zousain.

Graduates of NZB sales have a racetrack record that speaks for itself in recent years, with 124 Group One victories and 568 stakes wins in the last five seasons alone.

Last season was a particularly notable one for Karaka graduates, who won 21 Group One races and a total of 99 races at black-type level.

International buyers wishing to physically attend the Sale can enquire about accommodation options by emailing Dorian.Kos@nzb.co.nz or travel@nzb.co.nz.

Online bidding is available for all prospective purchasers via bidonline.nzb.co.nz, plus an extensive online catalogue that will host pedigrees, parade videos and photos, updates and important information to assist your buying decisions.

The catalogues for Karaka 2023 can be viewed online here.

Important Dates

  • 2023 Karaka Million Twilight Meeting – Saturday 21 January
  • Book 1 Sale – Sunday 29 January to Tuesday 31 January
  • Book 2 Sale – Wednesday 1 February to Friday 3 February
Advertisment
More Reading...
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.
Another G1 Triumph for Aga Khan Stud Bred Gelding
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who made it back to back G1 wins overnight when beating a select field in a tactical battle to win the Group I King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1m4f) at Ascot.
JRHA Foal Sale – Equinox Fever and Aussie Star Mares
The JRHA Select Sale continued on Tuesday with the prized foal session and while the sale-topper always looked an obvious one with the Equinox colt from Champion US Mare Midnight Bisou widely tipped to star, our Aussie bred mares still made their presence felt.
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 26
Here is the full list of 86 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Incredible Quality in Magic Millions Virtual Sale
A breeding right to the world's most prolific sire - by elite level strike rate - will stand alongside a swag of stakes performed fillies and mares in next month's Magic Millions August Virtual Sale, with the initial catalogue unveiled today.
2026 Inglis Yearling Sale Series Entries Open
Entries for the 2026 Inglis Select Yearling Sales Series – which will be headlined by the presence of the highly anticipated Snitzel x Winx colt at the Easter Sale – are now open.
Zoustar Filly Wander Dune Impresses On Debut In South Africa
Making her debut as favourite in the Race Coast Maiden Juvenile Plate (1200m) at Kenilworth, South Africa on Saturday, 2yo Australian-bred Zoustar filly Wander Dune impressed with an emphatic victory.
Two New SW's for Too Darn Hot
Too Darn Hot is set to be crowned Champion Australian Second Season Sire and is headed back to Darley Australia this spring at a fee of $275,000 and overnight he produced two new stakes-winners in the UK and Ireland.
Sires With Winners - Sunday July 27
Here is the full list of 54 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.