Strong Fillies Market and Median Increase Highlight Day 1 Karaka Book 1

Media Release - Sunday January 29

Day One of Karaka 2023 saw a long-awaited return to normal selling for New Zealand Bloodstock, who welcomed back international buyers to the sale ring for the first time since 2020.

Also felt was the presence of the domestic buying bench, with fierce competition on quality lots seeing out the first day of trading in the newly unveiled Sir Patrick Hogan Auditorium.

Fillies with blueblood pedigrees were in high demand during the first day of trading, accounting for three of the top five purchases, while the middle market contributed to a healthy rise in key sale indicators.

NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook was encouraged by the results.

“It was great to see the fillies averaging more than the colts today. This is the first time I can ever remember that happening which is very encouraging.”

“Probably the most heartening statistic to emerge from a sale point of view was the median, which  increased from $110,000 in 2022, to $150,000. This is a fantastic result and gives you an idea of how strong the middle market has been,” he said.

Session topping $625,000 Savabeel colt from Bayrock.

The highlight of the day was purchased by Te Akau Racing Principal David Ellis, who secured Lot 59, a Savabeel colt out of Bayrock (Fastnet Rock) for $625,000.

“We thought this colt was one of the best Savabeels we have seen here at Karaka.”

“He was a beautiful colt out of a Fastnet Rock mare, who is out of a Snippets mare, who is out of a Last Tycoon mare, so he has a stallion-worthy pedigree.

“He is a full brother to a very good filly in Australia and was on our must buy list, so we’re excited to take him back to Te Akau Racing,” Ellis said.

Rodney Schick, Studmaster of Windsor Park Stud, offered the colt under his Book 1 draft.

“We are really happy with the price, he was a beautiful colt who deserved that,” Schick said.

“He is going to a very good home with David Ellis purchasing him. Mark Walker is flying, so lets hope he can go on and do the job for them.”

The purchasing trio of Andrew Forsman, Andrew Williams and Bevan Smith once again made their presence felt at Karaka, after knocking down Lot 97, a Savabeel filly out of Makfi mare Chiaretta (NZ).

$600,000 Savabeel filly from Chiaretta

The partnership bought the filly from Elsdon Park’s Book 1 draft. She was bred by Lib Petagna, who offered his first crop of yearlings under his own banner at Karaka 2023.

Petagna also bred current stakes winner Ethereal Star (Snitzel), whom the trio purchased from Karaka 2022 for $600,000. Trainer Andrew Forsman has had plenty of success with the filly, after her Listed Challenge Stakes (1100m) victory and second placing in the $1m DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) last week.

Advertisement

“it’s funny how it’s all worked out,” commented Andrew Forsman.

“We didn’t want to pay $600k for her but there was strong competition. She was a beautiful filly and we thought she was the standout of the Sale, so we were very determined to get her.

“I think this filly will get up and running early and probably give herself a chance to make the Karaka Million next year,” he said.

Chris Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock secured two fillies, both for a hefty $450,000 price tag and both purchased from Gordon Cunningham at Curragmore.

Lot 189 is a Vadamos filly out of More Than Ready mare Floramour, while Lot 196 was a Pierro filly out of Group Two winner Forever Loved (NZ) (High Chaparral).

Waikato Stud-based first season sire, Super Seth, had a strong start to selling at Karaka 2023. The exciting stallion prospect averaged $220,000 for eight lots sold, including a top price of $380,000.

Australian trainer John O’Shea was a fan of Super Seth’s progeny, purchasing two colts by the freshman stallion for $260,000 (Lot 123) and $160,000 (Lot 207) respectively. 

“I have to give a massive wrap on Super Seth as a sire. We think his progeny have a lot more substance than even his sire in Dundeel and it’s going to be a nice opportunity to train one.”

“To have two colts of that quality in our yard is tremendous,” O’Shea said.

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.

Selling continues on Day Two of Book 1 tomorrow where a further 220 lots will go through the ring from 11AM (NZT) at Karaka.

Catch the highlights and Lot-by-Lot footage from Day One online.

View the full of Book 1 Day One results here.

Book 1 Day One Statistics

2023 BOOK 1, DAY ONE

2022 BOOK 1, DAY ONE

2021 BOOK 1, DAY ONE

2020 BOOK 1, DAY ONE

AGGREGATE

$22,420,000

$20,042,500

$17,047,500

$21,952,500

AVERAGE

$160,143

$159,067

$130,134

$145,381

MEDIAN

$147,500

$125,000

$100,000

$110,000

CLEARANCE

73%

69%

73%

73%

CATALOGUED

220

258

200

235

SOLD

140

126

131

151

TOP LOT

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

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

Book 1 Day One Top Lots

Lot

Breeding

Vendor

Purchaser

Price

59

Savabeel / Bayrock B.C

Windsor Park Stud

Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) (Te Akau)

$625,000

97

Savabeel / Chiaretta B.F

Elsdon Park

Forsman Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock / Bevan Smith Bloodstock (Waikato)

$600,000

189

Vadamos / Floramour B.F

Curraghmore

Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock (New South Wales)

$450,000

196

Pierro / Forever Loved B.F

Curraghmore

Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock (Queensland)

$450,000

210

Savabeel / Glee B.C

Waikato Stud

The Oaks Stud (Waikato)

$400,000

91

Super Seth / Chandelier B.C

Waikato Stud

Stephen Marsh Racing  / Dennis Foster / Bourbon Lane / Dylan Johnson Bloodstock (Waikato)

$380,000

49

So You Think / Aurora Lights B.F

The Oaks Stud

KPW Bloodstock (Queensland)

$375,000

107

Savabeel / Cool 'n' Sassy Br.C

Hallmark Stud

Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) (Te Akau)

$340,000

41

Pierro / Aretha B.C

Windsor Park Stud

John O'Shea Racing / Suman Hedge Bloodstock (Hong Kong)

$330,000

60

Proisir / Bay Star B.C

Wentwood Grange

Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock (New South Wales)

$300,000

Advertisment
More Reading...
Three 2.2million Guineas Colts Top Second Day of Tattersalls Book 1 - Two by Wootton Bassett
The second day of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale saw a further six lots realise seven-figure prices headed by a trio of colts, two by the late WOOTTON BASSETT, both bought by Amo Racing, and one by FRANKEL, at 2,200,000 guineas. The average was an impressive 352,672 guineas.
Andy Caps positive week for Alwyn Park
Alwyn Park Stud owner John Andrew has received a positive post-script to Magnificent Andy’s victory in the inaugural $1 million Golden Saddle (1200m) at Kalgoorlie on Saturday.
Two Highest Priced Yearlings in World This Year Highlight Tattersalls October Day 1
The opening day of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale saw two colts realise 3,700,000 guineas and 3,600,000 guineas, both exceeding the highest price for a yearling sold anywhere in the world in 2025, and five seven-figure lots.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Joe Pride has already prepared a stakes-winner for Godolphin in blue-blood Lonhro colt Attica and he unleashed a debut winner for them by I Am Invincible at Hawkesbury on Thursday.
RAM Racing Join Forces with Newgate and GPI Racing for Everest
Western Australia’s RAM Racing have joined forces with Newgate and GPI Racing in their 2025 TAB Everest slot, reuniting with Group 1-winning sprinter Overpass and are set to bring a wave of loyal supporters from the west.
Hot Lots Day 3 - Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1
The Tattersalls October Yearling Sale third and final session kicks off tonight our time and for those interested in the number one yearling sale in Europe we are taking a look at some of the yearlings tipped to top each day.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 8
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Hot Lots Day 2 - Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1
The Tattersalls October Yearling Sale second session kicks off tonight our time and for those interested in the number one yearling sale in Europe we are taking a look at some of the yearlings tipped to top each day and they include the half-brother to a two time Aussie G1 winner and a colt from a mare bought in Australia for $2.3million.
2025 Breeze Ups Postponed One Week
NZB has made the decision to postpone the Breeze Ups for the 2025 Ready to Run Sale due to unfavourable weather conditions with heavy rain and wind predicted through to Tuesday.
Recent success highlights Inglis Digital October (Early) Sale
A range of exciting racing and breeding prospects – as well as a number of in-form racehorses and shares in Stakes winners – headline the Inglis Digital October (Early) Online Sale.