breednet.com.au

NZB Counts Down to 100th National Yearling Sale

Media Release - Tuesday July 8

Karaka 2026, set to take place at NZB’s Karaka Sales Centre from 25 – 29 January, will mark the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand.   

A century of thoroughbred excellence has shaped the National Yearling Sale, from guineas to dollars, Trentham to Karaka and Wrightsons to NZB. 

The first sale took place at Trentham in 1927.

It is the beating heart of trade within the New Zealand breeding and racing industry, where breeder meets buyer, where years of careful planning and preparation meets astute judgement and ambition. It is where winning begins. 

From this centenary of sales ring moments have emerged many legends of the racetrack, among them the titans Phar Lap, Rising Fast, Tulloch, Dulcify, Octagonal and So You Think. 

In the countdown to Karaka 2026, NZB will be celebrating the horses, people and moments that have graced the sale ring over the past century, while also looking towards the future to continue the legacy of the National Yearling Sales Series as the preeminent thoroughbred sales event of New Zealand. 

NZB's John Cameron auctioneering.

For 60 years, NZB’s International Bloodstock Manager John Cameron has been a key part of the team as the National Yearling Sale has evolved.  

“It was around 1966, when I first attended the National Yearling Sale at Trentham. Michael Floyd was at the helm of the Wright, Stephensons and Co. bloodstock division. My job was on the rostrum, clerking the sale alongside auctioneers Peter Kelly, Bill Patterson and Dave Clarkson.”  

“The National Yearling Sale is the flagbearer. It’s a time when New Zealand breeders present the very best yearlings to the market for international and domestic buyers.  

Advertisement

“The impact and recognition that our NZ-bred horses have had on not only on Australian racing, but also jurisdictions like Hong Kong, since I've first attended the yearling sales is tremendous. Graduates have, and continue to, compete at the highest level on the international stage. 

“Our breeders and vendors of today are carrying forward the tradition of breeding and presenting top class horses and are continuing the future success of the National Yearling Sale. 

“I look forward to Karaka 2026 this January to celebrate the milestone. 100 years is of great significance, there are a lot of memories and people past and present,” added Cameron. 

To follow along on all of the news, blogs, videos and more, visit 100years.nzb.co.nz. Enthusiasts can also get involved in the Facebook community group to share memories of the Sale here, or follow NZB’s social media platforms for more.  

Entries for Karaka 2026 are currently open and close this Friday 11 July via NZB’s Portal. 

100th NATIONAL YEARLING SALE SCHEDULE (KARAKA 2026): 

  • TAB Karaka Millions Raceday: Saturday 24 January at Ellerslie  

  • Book 1 Sale: Sunday 25 & Monday 26 January at Karaka  

  • Book 2 Sale: Tuesday 27 January at Karaka  

  • Karaka Summer Sale: Thursday 29 January at Karaka  

Advertisment
More Reading...
G1 Winning Champion 2YO Velocious to be Offered on Inglis Digital
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) will be offered for auction in the Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale.
National Online Breeding Stock Sale Online Now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.
Aussie Interest at JRHA Sale Next Week – First foal of Golden Slipper Winner
The 2025 JRHA  Select Foal and Yearling Sale will be held next week in Japan on July 14 and 15 and as usual there are some interesting entries for Aussie racing fans with a significant number of our star mares at stud in Japan including the 2022 Golden Slipper winner Fireburn.
Begg Bred Siblings Make for a Winning Double
Former Group I jockey and now emerging country trainer Danny Beasley produced his first winning double at Wagga on Monday and he did it with a pair of first time winning siblings that are both bred and raced by the legendary Neville Begg.
Sires With Winners - Monday July 7
Here is the full list of 23 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Quality Cambridge Stud draft in National Online Breeding Stock Sale
The need for Cambridge Stud to control the size of their star-studded broodmare band has opened up some special opportunities in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus.
Resolute Racing Win G1 Prix Jean Prat – Wootton Bassett Sire Power
A crackerjack meeting at Deauville in France overnight highlighted the power of Wootton Bassett (GB), who sired yet another new two year-old stakes-winner and he also featured as the grand-sire of Woodshauna, who captured the Group I Prix Jean Prat (1400m) for US based Resolute Racing.
Pride of Dubai Mare Hits Form
Pride Of Aspen looked right at home when she scored a decisive victory in the Cavallo Farms and Chris Rutten Bloodstock Handicap (2200m) at Otaki’s rescheduled meeting on Tuesday.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
There were only three heats won by juveniles at the Warwick Farm trials on Tuesday morning, but they included a couple of youngsters by first season sires Fierce Impact (Jpn) and Peltzer, who sired his first stakes-winner last Saturday in Buccleuch.
High-flying Pencarrow Stud offers well-bred mares in Online Breeding Stock Sale
The 2024-25 season has been one of the best ever for Pencarrow Stud, and some of the renowned bloodlines that have underpinned that success are now available for purchase in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus.