The 2025 NZB National Yearling Sale Series starts this Sunday at Karaka so we’ve used the Family Search on Breednet to seek out some yearlings that have exciting relatives to watch on the racetrack in 2025.
Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Wodeton was installed favourite for the Golden Slipper following his brilliant debut win at Rosehill on Saturday and comes from a Black Type family that has produced multiple Group and stakes-winners including a world champion sprinter in Silent Witness.
His third dam is Jade Tiara and she is also the third dam of the filly below.
Lot 136 Filly Dundeel x My Sister Carole, by Lonhro – Highline Thoroughbreds
Ceolwulf (NZ) scaled the heights in the spring to win the Group I ATC King Charles Stakes and Epsom Handicap and 2025 should see him consolidate his place amongst the elite WFA horses in the country.
His third dam is Solo de Lune and she is also the third dam of the filly below.
Lot 550 Filly Satono Aladdin (Jpn) x Dancing Hare by Fastnet Rock Curraghmore
Three year-old colt Storm Boy is set to continue his racing career in Europe this year having transferred into the care of Aidan O’Brien at Ballydoyle with Royal Ascot a likely goal for the colt, who has already won over $2.8million in prizemoney.
His second dam is NZ Horse of the Year Seachange and she is also the second dam of the two yearlings below.
Lot 277 Filly Almanzor (Fr) x Sea Goddess, by Darci Brahma – The Oaks Stud
Lot 467 Colt Ace High x Away Cruising, by Darci Brahma – The Oaks Stud
Three year-old Zoustar colt Growing Empire placed in both the Group I ATC The Everest and Coolmore Stud Stakes during the spring and is sure to be chasing his first G1 in in 2025 for Yulong.
His second dam is Nishaani and she is also the third dam of the two yearlings below.
Lot 236 Colt Anders x Rapidamente, by Medaglia D’Oro (USA) – Pencarrow Stud
Lot 589 Colt Churchill (IRE) x Eva Daniela, by I Am Invincible – Elsdon Park
Extreme Choice filly Bel Merci won the Group III ATC Gimcrack Stakes in the spring and is high in the market for the Golden Slipper with a nice trial last week indicating she is on track for her return.
Her second dam is stakes-winner Drop Anchor and she is also the second dam of the colt below.
Lot 497 Colt Contributer (IRE) x Breath, by Encosta de Lago – Wentwood Grange
The five action-packed days of selling are headed by Book 1, set to commence from Sunday 26 until Tuesday 28 January from 10am (NZT) each day, while Book 2 will begin directly after, on Wednesday 29 (12pm start) and Thursday 30 January (10am start).
The stage is set for a week-long thoroughbred extravaganza in Auckland, starting with an extraordinary TAB Karaka Millions race day at Ellerslie Racecourse on Saturday 25 January. The six-race card now carries total stakes of more than $5 million, headed by the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) for graduates of the sales. All yearlings purchased at Karaka 2025 are eligible for the Karaka Millions Series.
