Family Favourites and Nicks that Click - Karaka 2024

Sponsored Content - by Tara Madgwick - Tuesday January 2

A couple of stakes-winners over the New Year period hold some Karaka intrigue including an Aussie bred mare from a very familiar Kiwi family and a Kiwi bred filly from a well-known Aussie family.

The 2024 NZB National Yearling Sale Series – Books 1 and 2 - (January 28 – February 2) features the best yearlings New Zealand has to offer and we’ve gone looking for something interesting in the mix!

Two time SW Lady Laguna has won over $700,000 in prizemoney..

The Listed BRC Nudgee Stakes (1200m) at Doomben last Saturday was won by quality multiple Group placed mare Lady Laguna, who took her earnings past $700,000 with her latest black Type win, read about her here.

Lady Laguna is from Kiwi bred mare Catalina de Lago, whose grand-dam Polly Soleil has spawned an impressive dynasty of stakes-winners and notably multiple Group I winning mares Lucia Valentina and Danzdanzdance as well as G1 HK International Sprint winner All Thrills Too. As you can imagine there is a strong presence of this family at Karaka with seven entries for Book 1 listed below including siblings to both Lucia Valentina and Danzdanzdance!

Lot 80 Colt Hellbent x Fibbers – Riversley Park as agent for Monovale Holdings

Lot 200 Filly Almanzor (FR) x Mackenzie Kate – Blandford Lodge

Lot 261 Colt So You Think x Night Danza – Blandford Lodge

Lot 285 Filly Per Incanto (USA) x Ouzo – Blandford Lodge

Lot 319 Filly Ocean Park x Poppy O’Neill – Blandford Lodge

Lot 437 Colt Almanzor (FR) x Staryn Glenn – Blandford Lodge

Lot 577 Filly Turn Me Loose x Angel Child, by Anabaa (USA) – Wentwood Grange

About Time wins her first stakes race and it's the G2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes!

The Group II Sir Patick Hogan Stakes (2050m) was won by progressive Cambridge Stud homebred filly About Time, a half-sister to $1.7million earner Young Werther, read about her here.

About Time is from a winning three-quarter sister by Fastnet Rock to Group II ATC Silver Slipper winner Amelia’s Dream from brilliant stakes-winner Shalt Not, so there is plenty of speed in this female family to mix with staying sires and there are four entries for K1 and K2 including the half-brother to About Time.

Lot 77 Colt Hello Youmzain (FR) x Fearless Choice – Cambridge Stud

Lot 258 Colt Savabeel x Romantic Time – Cambridge Stud

Lot 544 Colt Hello Youmzain (Fr) x Ziffel – Cambridge Stud

Lot 1034 Filly Almanzor (Fr) x Vin Rouge – Highline Thoroughbreds

Continuing NZB’s traditional sale format, Book 1 is set to commence from Sunday 28 until Tuesday 30 January from 10am (NZT) each day, while Book 2 will begin directly after from Wednesday 31 January until Friday 2 February from 11am (NZT) each day.

For any general enquiries, contact info@nzb.co.nz or call +64 9 298 0055. For bloodstock enquiries, contact NZB Bloodstock Sales Manager Kane Jones on kane.jones@nzb.co.nz or call +64 27 274 4985.

Advertisment
More Reading...
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.
Hedged Wins G2 Australia Stakes – Track Record
A stakes-winner at Sandown on Boxing Day and then down the track at his next start when unplaced, connections elected to ‘roll the dice’ on talented Capitalist sprinter Hedged and give him his shot in the $350,000 Group II MVRC Australia Stakes (1200m) and were well rewarded.
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.
I Am Invincible Half-Sister To G1 Winner Manaal Breaks Maiden
Fourth on debut back in August, Michael Freedman’s 3yo I Am Invincible filly Rajwa was required to fight late, but the half-sister to G1 winner Manaal (Tassort) had too much in hand, breaking her maiden at Canterbury on Friday night for breeder/owner Emirates Park.
Bidding Open - Magic Millions Digital's Latest Line-Up Now Online
Buyers looking for a ready made racehorse and a star of the future will enjoy the opportunities on offer in the latest Magic Millions Digital (23-28 January) Sale which is now online with bidding open.
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. 
Yulong Invest in Another Star Kiwi Filly
Yulong Investments have furthered their position among New Zealand’s racing ranks this week with the purchase of eye-catching Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) winner Ohope Wins.
Opportunity Knocks - Adelaide to Deliver Again in 2026
One of the Southern Hemisphere's most regarded and best producing auctions is ready to deliver more life changing moments this March with the online release of a quality catalogue for 2026.
Justify Double At Canterbury – Relations to both sell at Inglis Easter
Favourite backers were cheering on Friday night at Canterbury when odds on chances Willingham and Just Maz took out races three and four with the promising pair of winners both 3yos by Coolmore’s Justify (USA).
2026 Inglis Easter Revealed - Galaxy of Stars
A world-class catalogue of 472 lots has been confirmed for what is shaping as a spectacular Easter Yearling Sale, for which the catalogue is now available online.