$825,000 Snitzel Colt Stars on Strong Second Day at Karaka Book 1

Media Release - Monday January 29

After a record-breaking opening session, Day Two of NZB’s Karaka 2024 Book 1 Sale rounded off with a late flurry of bids, cementing a strong day of trade.

At the close of selling, the aggregate reached a record $58,905,500, while the average settled at $176,893, a 27% and 15% increase respectively when compared to the same time last year.

Leading buyer David Ellis of Te Akau Racing continued his dominance in the ring, securing the highest priced lot today in Lot 360 (Snitzel x Rondinella colt) for $825,000 from Haunui Farm.

$825,000 Snitzel colt from Rondinella - image Trish Dunell

Ellis commented on his prospective stallion acquisition.

“We can see him being in the Karaka Millions. You could spell him for a week then line him up for the Golden Slipper,” he said.

“He has a beautiful temperament and a great pedigree, I can see him standing at stud in the future.”

A total of 14 lots have been purchased for $500,000 or more at the end of Day Two, compared to six lots during the entire Book 1 session in 2023.

One of those was Lot 442, another from the Karaka-based nursery of Haunui Farm. The Savabeel filly out of Stolen Gem was knocked down to Sheamus Mills Bloodstock for $650,000.

$650,000 Savabeel filly from Stolen Gem.

Mills was delighted to secure the half-sister to Group One performer To Catch a Thief (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) after being underbidder on several lots during the opening session.

“I have been looking for another Savabeel filly for a while now, when this filly stepped out, I had an inkling I had found her,” he stated.

“With the boost and hype around racing in New Zealand, we are definitely being swept in.

Advertisement

“When I looked at her, my first thought was aiming her for the Karaka Millions, before a Blue Diamond even,” he added.

NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook was pleased with the results on Day Two.

“It was a strong, solid day of trade and the New Zealand pinhookers came out to play.”

“It was great to see so many markets active but the key buyers today were the Hong Kong Jockey Club,” he added.

“They purchased seven horses for $2.3 million, and they are not done yet.”

Selling continues on Tuesday for Day Three of Book 1, where lots 481 – 682 will go through the ring from 10am (NZT) at Karaka.

To enquire about Passed Lots contact Patrick Cunningham on +64 21 181 5898 or email Patrick.Cunningham@nzb.co.nz, or Andrew Buick on +64 27 555 0640 or email Andrew.Buick@nzb.co.nz .

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

View the full Book 1 results here.

Karaka 2024: Book 1, Day Two Statistics (at end of selling)

  2024 BOOK 1, DAY ONE & TWO 2023 BOOK 1, DAY ONE & TWO 2022 BOOK 1, DAY ONE & TWO 2021 BOOK 1, DAY ONE & TWO
AGGREGATE $58,905,500 $46,425,000 $41,142,500 $34,711,000
AVERAGE $176,893 $154,236 $146,415 $124,860
MEDIAN $140,000 $135,000 $100,000 $100,000
CLEARANCE 77% 76% 74% 80%
CATALOGUED 480 440 440 390
SOLD 333 301 281 278
TOP LOT Lot 21 Proisir - Donna Marie (Ch.F) $1,600,000 Lot 294 Too Darn Hot - Lady Sayyida (B.C) $750,000 Lot 161 Savabeel - Chandelier (B.C) $1,000,000 Lot 94 Zoustar - Scintillula (B.F) $800,000

Karaka 2024: Book 1, Day Two Top Lots

LOT SIRE DAM SEX VENDOR PURCHASER PRICE
0360 Snitzel Rondinella Colt Haunui Farm Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) (Te Akau) $825,000
0442 Savabeel Stolen Gem Filly Haunui Farm Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (Victoria) $650,000
0409 Savabeel Simply You Colt Waikato Stud Ltd The Hong Kong Jockey Club (Hong Kong) $620,000
0479 Savabeel Thee Auld Floozie Filly Jamieson Park Bruce Perry Bloodstock (BAFNZ) (Wellington) $620,000
0480 Proisir The Fairy's Kiss Filly Kilgravin Lodge Gandharvi (USA) $600,000
0397 Per Incanto She's Apples Colt Riversley Park Ltd Jamie Richards / Andrew Williams Bloodstock (Hong Kong) $500,000
0302 Savabeel Pendant Colt Waikato Stud Ltd Go Bloodstock Australia / Catheryne Bruggeman / Paul Moroney Bloodstock (New South Wales) $440,000
0438 Hello Youmzain Steer by the Stars Colt Cambridge Stud Chris Waller / Mulcaster Bloodstock (Waikato) $425,000
0405 Justify Shoulders Colt Jamieson Park Gandharvi / Michael Freedman Racing (USA) $420,000
0275 Ardrossan O'Misty Filly Elsdon Park Ladbrokes Racing Club / Newgate (New South Wales) $390,000
Advertisment
More Reading...
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.
First Stakes Success For Spirit Of Boom Mare Liquor
The outsider of four runners in Friday night’s Listed GCTC Goldmarket (1100m) for Queensland’s Champion trainer Tony Gollan, 6yo Spirit Of Boom mare Liquor gave nothing else a chance, charging clear after leading throughout to record her first black type victory.
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.
Kinnaird Looking to Extend Te Akau Dominance
The Karaka Millions twilight meeting is always a key focus for Te Akau Racing, and they are set to have another strong hand in this year’s edition.
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.
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.
Hello Youmzain 2YO Set to Star for Sharrock
Saturday is shaping to be a busy day for Allan Sharrock, with stakes assignments both at home and away for the New Plymouth trainer.
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.
Sliders tops Inglis January Online as Anamoe breeding right confirmed for Feb (Early) auction
The first Inglis Digital auction of 2026 was topped by well related mare Sliders – with an I Am Invincible colt foal at foot – selling for $400,000.
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.