After a strong six days of trading at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 97th National Yearling Sales Series, final results have been accumulated for its Book 1 and Book 2 yearling sessions held from 29 January to 3 February.
This year’s Sale saw the return of international buyers and pre-pandemic hospitality in full swing at the iconic Karaka Sales Centre.
Over six days of selling at Karaka 2023, 742 yearlings sold for an aggregate of $82,158,500, an increase of over $7.7 million on last year’s figure. The combined average has risen from $106,109 to $110,726 and the median increased from $70,000 to $80,000. The combined clearance rate also increased on last year’s result, rising from 75% to 77%.
The highlight of the week was the $1,000,000 purchase by Te Akau Racing Principal David Ellis (Lot 586). The Fastnet Rock filly out of Test the World (NZ) (Testa Rossa) was purchased from Gordon Cunningham’s Curraghmore operation and was the first million dollar filly to be purchased at Karaka since 2005.
Victorian agent Cameron Cooke purchased the second highest-priced lot for $750,000. Lot 294 is a colt by first season sire Too Darn Hot, out of Iffraaj mare Lady Sayyida (NZ). The lot hails from one of Trelawney’s great families, himself a close relative to standout racehorses-turned-sires Ocean Park (NZ) and Grunt (NZ).
The leading buyer for the eighteenth consecutive year was David Ellis, who purchased 31 yearlings for a total spend of $6,290,000. Kevin Walls (KPW Bloodstock) was the second-highest purchaser at Karaka 2023, securing 11 horses for a total aggregate of $3,115,000.
After a whirlwind week of selling, entertaining and unforeseen weather events, NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook commented on the final results.
“The success story of Karaka 2023 was undoubtedly having our international buyers back on the grounds at a yearling sale for the first time since 2020.”
“Despite the weather, the Australians loved being back on the complex and it was very heartening to see their spend increase by $14.5 million on 2022’s result.
“We were impressed by the year-on-year increase of the Book 1 median, rising to $130,000 from $100,000 in 2022.
“Our leading buyer David Ellis was well supported by some of our traditional kiwi buyers, however, New Zealand’s spend was down some $9 million on 2022’s results.
“We must commend the vendors for the incredible job they did in extremely trying circumstances due to the horrendous weather.
“We realise that it was not easy for anyone on site but we believe we got through it remarkably well,” Seabrook said.
All yearlings purchased at Karaka are eligible for the lucrative Karaka Million Series with two $1 million races available for graduates as two and three-year-olds, plus the $120,000 CollinsonForex Karaka Cup for the duration of their career. Nominations must be received by 5PM (NZT) on Monday 5 March 2023.
Revisit all the highlights and Lot-by-Lot footage from the week here.
To make enquiries about Passed Lots contact NZB’s Kane Jones on +64 27 274 4985 or email kane.jones@nzb.co.nz or Regan Donnison on +64 21 512 466 or email regan.donnison@nzb.co.nz.
View the Passed Lots for each catalogue here:
Upcoming NZB Sale Calendar
- 2023 National Online Yearling Sale – Wednesday 19 April on Gavelhouse Plus
- 2023 National Weanling & Broodmare Sale – Friday 16 June at the Karaka Sales Centre
Karaka 2023 Combined Final Statistics
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregate | $82,158,500 | $74,382,500 | $60,996,500 | $78,458,188 |
| Average | $110,726 | $106,109 | $94,276 | $91,443 |
| Median | $80,000 | $70,000 | $62,500 | $55,000 |
| Clearance | 77% | 75% | 82% | 76% |
| Catalogued | 1079 | 1103 | 918 | 1265 |
| Withdrawn | 121 | 156 | 127 | 143 |
| Offered | 958 | 947 | 791 | 1122 |
| Passed | 216 | 246 | 144 | 264 |
| Lots Sold | 742 | 701 | 647 | 858 |
| Top Price | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $800,000 | $900,000 |
Karaka 2023 Final Statistics by Catalogue
| BOOK 1 | BOOK 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Aggregate | $70,545,500 | $11,583,000 |
| Average | $149,778 | $42,742 |
| Median | $130,000 | $31,000 |
| Clearance | 81% | 72% |
| Catalogued | 644 | 435 |
| Lots Sold | 471 | 271 |
| Top Price | Lot 586 Fastnet Rock - Test the World (B.F) $1,000,000 | Lot 789 Proisir - Harriet Wilson (G.C) $180,000 |
