A graduate trifecta in the Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) provided a timely reminder of the quality that can be found in Book 2 of NZB’s National Yearling Sale, and more of the same can be expected at Karaka 2026.
A new-look Book 2 will take place on just one day – Tuesday 27 January – and features a select catalogue of 280 yearlings.
The catalogue contains plenty of yearlings with the credentials to follow in the footsteps of Romanoff (NZ) (Belardo), Affirmative Action (Yes Yes Yes) and Shoma (NZ) (Contributer), who were bought for $75,000, $115,000 and $20,000 respectively from Book 2 of Karaka 2024. They finished first, second and third in the $700,000 New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton on November 15.
Book 2 of Karaka 2026 features siblings and progeny of numerous black-type performers, including Lot 613, a colt by Divine Prophet from the draft of Mapperley Stud. The colt is a half-brother to Snazzytavi (NZ) (Tavistock), whose nine wins include last season’s Group One Zabeel Classic (2000m), Group One Livamol Classic (2040m) and Group Two Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m). Another half-sister, Le Societe (Anabaa), was stakes-placed and is a black-type producer, while their dam Ritzy Lady (NZ) (Zabeel) herself won at Listed level.
Lot 572 is an Ardrossan colt whose dam is a half-sister to the dam of Perth’s recent Group One Railway Stakes (1600m) winner Watch Me Rock (Awesome Rock).
Ardrossan is also the sire of Lot 624, a filly out of the Group Three-winning mare Seven Schillings (NZ) (O’Reilly). She is the dam of four winners including Group Two winner Emily Margaret (NZ) (Pins) and stakes-placed Heptagon (NZ) (Jimmy Choux), while Emily Margaret is the dam of the stakes-placed Ha’penny Hatch (NZ) (Circus Maximus).
Lot 633 is a colt by exciting Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State, whose first crop of two-year-olds has already produced the stakes-winning Australian filly Torture (NZ). This colt is out of a half-sister to the brilliant triple Group One winner Sunlight (Zoustar) along with fellow stakes winners Sisstar (Zoustar) and Clean Energy (Zoustar).
Lot 655 is a half-brother to Von Hauke (NZ) (Savabeel), who claimed the biggest win of his career in the Group Two Crystal Mile (1600m) on Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in October.
Lot 737 is an Acrobat colt who is a three-quarter-brother to the Group One Levin Classic (1600m) winner Age Of Fire (Fastnet Rock). He is also a three-quarter-brother to the dam of Group Two Wakeful Stakes (2000m) winner Amazonian Lass (More Than Ready).
Lot 785 is a colt by Tarzino (NZ) out of the Group One New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner and NZB Filly of the Year Insouciant (NZ) (Keeper).
Other catalogue highlights include:
- Lot 579, an Ancient Spirit colt whose half-sister Inflamed (NZ) (Ghibellines) won the Listed Stewards’ Stakes (1200m) during the recent New Zealand Cup Carnival in Christchurch. Their dam Ortem Fire (NZ) (Gallant Guru) was herself a winner at Listed level.
- Lot 590, a colt by King’s Legacy out of the Group Three Quezette Stakes (1100m) winner Petits Filous (Street Boss).
- Lot 596, a filly by Dundeel (NZ) out of the five-time Group placegetter Promise To Reign (Manhattan Rain).
- Lot 610, a filly by Noverre (NZ) out of the Group Three winner and Group One-placed Reilly Lincoln (NZ) (Pins).
- Lot 611, a Satono Aladdin colt who is a half-brother to stakes winners Arby (NZ) (Proisir) and Ess Vee Are (NZ) (Shocking).
- Lot 612, a U S Navy Flag filly whose dam is a half-sister to Group One winner Devise (NZ) (Darci Brahma) and three-quarter-sister to Group One winner Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma).
- Lot 619, a filly by Super Seth out of stakes-winning mare Ruby Armani (NZ) (Makfi).
- Lot 620, a colt by Noverre (NZ) out of the Group Two-placed Safura (NZ) (Almanzor).
- Lot 623, a full-sister to the multiple black-type placegetter Poetic Drama (NZ) (Proisir).
- Lot 625, a full-brother to the Group Three Rough Habit Plate (2000m) winner Shocking Luck (NZ) (Shocking) and the stakes-placed Analytica (NZ) (Shocking).
- Lot 638, a Tarzino (NZ) half-brother to Group Three placegetter Baby Wong (Press Statement).
- Lot 641, a Sword Of State colt who is a half-brother to the stakes-placed Manzor Magic (NZ) (Almanzor).
- Another by Sword Of State, Lot 644, whose dam Taroni (NZ) (Showcasing) placed in the $1m Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m).
- Lot 647, a Proisir half-brother to Group One South Australian Derby (2500m) runner-up Let’s Karaka Deel (NZ) (Dundeel).
- Lots 650 and 651, fillies out of unraced half-sisters to Group One winner Thee Auld Floozie (NZ) (Mastercraftsman).
- Lot 671, a filly by freshman sire Profondo out of Group Two-winning mare Yearn (NZ) (Savabeel).
- Lot 684, a Hello Youmzain half-sister to stakes winner Viva Vienna (NZ) (All Too Hard) and the black-type-placed Divine Inanna (Real Impact).
- Another filly by Hello Youmzain, Lot 697, whose dam Beyond The Fort (NZ) (Niagara) won the Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) and placed in the Group One New Zealand Oaks (2400m).
- Lot 700, a filly by Satono Aladdin out of Group Two winner Bisou Bisou (Shaft).
- Lot 714, an Ardrossan half-sister to Group Two winner Shamus (NZ) (Shamexpress).
- Lot 716, a Profondo colt who is a half-brother to two stakes performers including Group Two winner Tavidream (NZ) (Tavistock).
- Lot 719, an Ace High filly who is the first foal out of dual Group Two placegetter Contagious (NZ) (Proisir).
- Lot 724, a Profondo half-sister to Listed winner and Group Three placegetter Sheez Dominant (NZ) (Vanbrugh).
- Lot 747, a full-brother to Group Three winner Soleseifei (NZ) (Shocking).
- Lot 751, a Tarzino (NZ) filly who is a half-sister to $1m Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) winner Scott Base (NZ) (Dalghar).
- Lot 767, a Profondo half-sister to stakes winner Family Ties (NZ) (Contributer).
- Lot 788, a Hello Youmzain colt whose dam Italian Princess (NZ) (Bertolini) won at Listed level. This colt is also a half-brother to the Group Three placegetter Tevere (NZ) (Contributer).
- Lot 812, a Sweynesse colt whose dam is a half-sister to the recent Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Romanoff (NZ) (Belardo).
- Lot 813, a Hello Youmzain half-sister to multiple Group winner Belardo Boy (NZ) (Belardo) and the stakes-placed Cheveux (NZ) (Belardo). Their dam L’Amour (NZ) (Towkay) also placed at stakes level.
- Lot 814, a Derryn half-sister to stakes winner and Group One placegetter Lightning Jack (NZ) (Per Incanto).
- Lot 815, a Hello Youmzain filly whose half-brother Show Pony (NZ) (Vespa) and dam Last Sight (NZ) (Showcasing) are both multiple black-type placegetters.
Karaka 2026 will take place at the Karaka Sales Centre from 25 to 29 January, with Book 2 taking place Tuesday 27 January.
All yearlings purchased are eligible for the Karaka Millions Series featuring the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), followed by the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) as well as the NZB Mega Maiden Bonus Series with $1m in bonuses up for grabs across 40 maiden races each season.
SALE SCHEDULE:
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
