Sires With Winners - Monday July 1

The Magic Millions Yearling Sale last week was fertile ground for pinhookers with 23 yearlings selling for $100,000 or more above their weanling purchase price in Book 1.

We know the sun will rise every morning and that thunder will always follow lightning, just as we knew Anamoe was going to dominate the first season sires at Magic Millions this year, but the stallion that was second on the list was a lot less predictable.

With a global reputation built up through 100 years of high-quality graduates, there should be no shortage of reasons for buyers to flock to Karaka later this month for the NZB National Yearling Sale. But if anyone needs any extra convincing, there are some lucrative incentives to make it well worth getting involved during Karaka 2026.

The Karaka Millions and NZB’s National Yearling Sale are among the most important dates on the calendar for Te Akau Racing, and they kicked off the big week on a perfect note on Monday with first-starter Bolli Belle (Shamus Award) striking a NZB Mega Maiden bonus at Wanganui.

A well-bred Written Tycoon gelding made a super impressive winning debut at Geelong on Tuesday when trotting up to win by four lengths with the victory sure to be of interest to the purchasers of his three-quarter brother at Magic Millions last week.

Lib and Katrina Petagna’s Elsdon Park is fast building a reputation for excellence despite still being in its infancy.

 In the week of the iconic TAB Karaka Millions Raceday, where NZB graduates will take to the track for their share of $4.6m in stakes, NZB has unveiled new custom made trophies for winning connections of the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) races.

The 2026 Magic Millions Yearling Sale was highlighted by 15 yearlings that sold for $1million or more which was two more than last year when just 13 hit the magic mark, but still considerably down on 2024 which saw 23 millionaires sold following on from 20 in 2023.

Rich Hill Stud’s outstanding resident stallion Proisir has given further timely reminders of his on-track and sales ring prowess.

Chris Waller has announced the retirement of Champion mare Via Sistina after returning for her autumn campaign not “her normal highly energetic self”.