Pedigree Pointers – Karaka 2026

Sponsored Content - by Tara Madgwick - Tuesday December 30

The 2026 NZB National Yearling Sales (January 25-29) offers buyers the cream of the New Zealand crop and in the weeks leading up to the sale we’ll go looking for pedigrees of interest for a myriad of reasons.

Mares by champion sire Redoute’s Choice are a powerful force in any pedigree and that fact was highlighted again at Gosford on Sunday when the Cambridge Stud bred Written Tycoon mare Kind Words captured the Group III Belle of the Turf Stakes (1600m) at Gosford.

Kind Words is the 183rd stakes-winner for Redoute's Choice as a broodmare sire! - image Bradley Photos

Cambridge Stud will offer her yearling half-sister at Karaka Book 1 and the Spirit of Boom filly from Gracious Grey will be offered as Lot 461.

Also in the catalogue are several yearlings bred on some of the very best nicks for Redoute’s Choice mares.

The late great So You Think has some very good stats with his daughters producing 73% winners to runners and six stakes-winners headed by Group I winners D’Argento and Inference.

There are two bred this way in Karaka Book 1.

Lot 35 Filly So You Think x Pedicel – Hallmark Stud

Half-sister to SW Slipper Island f rom a winning half-sister to dual Group I winning $2.5million earner Nettoyer.

Lot 566 Colt So You Think x My Amelia – Woburn Farm

Half-brother to Group I ATC Champagne Stakes winner The Mission and Group III placed Smart Amelia from a winning daughter of Group I winner Carry on Cutie.

Elite Japanese bred stallion Maurice (Jpn) is another to nick well with REdoute’s Choice mares producing 79% winners to runners and five stakes-winners headed by triple Group I winner Hitosu.

There is just one bred this way in Karaka Book 1.

Lot 536 Filly Maurice (Jpn) x Manchu – Cambridge Stud

Second foal of Group III placed Manchu from a quality European female family tracing back to Group I winning filly Crystal Music.

Karaka 2026 marks the 100th National Yearling Sale at Karaka, selling 25 - 29 January. A century of thoroughbred excellence has shaped the National Yearling Sale, from guineas to dollars, Trentham to Karaka and Wrightsons to NZB. 

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.

For more information and to view the Book 1, Book 2 and Summer Sale catalogues, visit www.nzb.co.nz. To relive the memories and milestones of the New Zealand National Yearling Sale, visit 100years.nzb.co.nz.

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