Smart Missile - New Winner

Haunui Farm Managing Director Mark Chitty is eagerly looking forward to Karaka 2026 for a multitude of reasons.

Queensland trainer Liam Birchley is no stranger to success in the richest two-year-old race in New Zealand, the $1million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), and he is hoping to replicate the winning feeling next weekend as he prepares to line-up a pair of quality fillies in the Ellerslie dash for cash.

 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.

A beautiful filly by Blue Diamond Stakes winner Tagaloa topped the final day of the 2026 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale when selling for $270,000.

As I return from yet another visit to the QLD Magic Million sales, it occurred to me that it has been too long since I shared my insights as to what a new industry player should be mindful of, tax wise, before they commence a horse breeding and/or racing business.

In years to come when racing trivia nights are held, a question will be - what was the horse champion jockey Jett Newman rode in her first metropolitan race win?  And the answer is our One to Watch.

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.

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 2026 NZB National Yearling Sales (January 25-29) offers buyers the cream of the New Zealand crop and with the sale starting this Sunday, we’ve gone looking for pedigrees of interest for a myriad of reasons.

Caroline Searcy’s extensive preview of the Centenary New Zealand National Sale will premiere on Sky Thoroughbred Central Monday night at 7.30pm AEDST. This is a must watch chance to see over ten percent of the Book 1 catalogue and a some select Book 2 yearlings as well, ahead of sale ground inspections this week and the Sale’s commencement on Sunday January 25.