Kia Ora Deliver the Dream of Group I Glory

Sponsored Content - by Tara Madgwick - Monday March 27

Shrewd investment in quality imported mares with prized international bloodlines and careful cultivation of the best Australasian female families is achieving the desired goal of Group I glory for Kia Ora Stud and their clients.

A massive investment in infrastructure and expansion into the business of standing stallions has propelled Kia Ora into a new era of success, building on foundations laid more than a century ago at the picturesque Hunter Valley farm situated over the Pages River from Segenhoe Stud.

Since 2018, Kia Ora have offered the following Group I performers from a select number of yearlings offered for sale:

Wellington wins 2022 G1 HK International Sprint - image HKJC

Wellington, four time G1 winner and the Champion HK Sprinter for 2021/2022.

G1 winning sprinter Wild Ruler, now one of the hottest young sires in the country - image Steve Hart

Wild Ruler, G1 winner of $2.6million that covered 175 mares in his debut stud season at a fee of $38,500.

Superstar filly Loving Gaby wins the G1 William Reid -  image Grant Courtney

Loving Gaby, two time G1 winner of $2.2 million and Champion 3YO Filly 2019-2020

Also flying the Kia Ora flag are current G1 performers Political Debate and Pavitra, who was second in last Saturday’s Group I ATC Vinery Stud Stakes and heads next to the $1million Group I ATC Australian Oaks.

Pavitra was a runaway winner of the G3 Kembla Grange Classic - image Bradley Photography

Pavitra and Wild Ruler are from well bred imported US Group II winner Gypsy Robin (USA) and her filly by Snitzel promises to be one of the highlights of the sale as Lot 160.

Lot 160

This well-balanced filly is a full sister to Wild Ruler and her dam has more to come in the pipeline producing a filly by Golden Slipper winner Farnan last spring and she is now back in foal to Snitzel.

Another filly tipped to top is Lot 208 by I Am Invincible from Maastricht making her a full sister to Loving Gaby, whose first foal (Pierata filly) was bought by her trainer Ciaron Maher for $800,000 at Magic Millions.

Lot 208

The opportunities to purchase top class colts by Deep Field are now very much finite given his retirement from stud duties and Lot 260 is a stunning half-brother to Group I placed stakes-winner Political Debate from Nakataan (NZ), a half-sister to NZB Filly of the Year Fix.

Lot 260

From another hot and happening family is Lot 252 an Exceed and Excel colt from US Group II winner More Than Real (USA) that is bred on the same cross as triple Group I winning $5.6million earner Bivouac.

Lot 252

He is a half-brother to stakes-winner Miss Debutante, the dam of current season Group winners Queen of the Ball and Platinum Jubilee.

Kia Ora will present 10 yearlings in total for Inglis Easter (click to see them)  available for inspection from Wednesday and visitors to their pavilion will be well looked after with Via Napoli providing woodfired pizzas (made to order) and Italian salads between 11am and 4pm on the 30th March – 2nd April.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Karaka 2026 makes favourable impression on William Haggas
The milestone 100th edition of New Zealand’s National Yearling Sale has caught attention throughout the thoroughbred world, including one of the United Kingdom’s leading trainers.
Sires With Winners - Sunday January 25
Here is the full list of 51 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First Winner for Splintex - 25 for Perth Magic Millions
Darling View Thoroughbred’s G2 winning Snitzel son Splintex continues to be popular with leading WA breeders and the young stallion has a big draft of 25 yearlings to tempt buyers at the upcoming Perth Magic Millions.
Knight's Realm wins G3 Taranaki Cup
Elen Nicholas has ridden the highs and lows of racing with Knights Realm, and Saturday proved to be the pinnacle of their journey.
Inglis Easter Sire and Vendor Break Up
Inglis released their catalogue for the 2026 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale on Thursday with 50 more yearlings than last year and the big change on face value from last year is the increased participation from Yulong.
51st National Yearling Sale for International Bloodstock Agent John Foote
For over 51 years, respected international bloodstock agent John Foote has been attending the National Yearling Sale in New Zealand, and he has returned to Karaka for the historic 100th National Yearling Sale this week. 
$450,000 Satono Aladdin Colt Headed to David Payne in Sydney
A striking colt by Satono Aladdin lured respected trainer David Payne back to Karaka on Sunday after more than a decade-long absence.
Successive Lots for $675,000 and $600,000
Bloodstock agent Kevin ‘Millie’ Walls was a key player on back-to-back big lots at Karaka on Sunday, securing a colt for $675,000 before being underbidder on a $600,000 colt that was the very next yearling through the ring.
$850,000 Snitzel Colt from NZ Oaks Queen Amarelinha
A late, great sire and a deceased Group One-winning dam combined with an $850,000 colt that topped the opening day of the Book 1 session of Karaka 2026 on Sunday.
Vendors Count Down to Historic NZ National Yearling Sale
Some of the most respected names in the New Zealand thoroughbred industry will be out in force at Karaka over the next few days during the milestone 100th edition of the National Yearling Sale.