Local Commitment Buoys Karaka 2019

With 698 horses now under the hammer at the National Yearling Sales Series, the turnover has reached $67,206,500, representing an average of $137,437 for 489 horses sold, the median closed at $100,000 and the clearance rate 77%.

"I believe the market has held up well considering the lack of pin hooking activity – which traditionally underpins the middle market, the drop off from Singapore buyers due to falling prizemoney, and the continued lack of confidence in the local market," commented New Zealand Bloodstock's Managing Director Andrew Seabrook.

"There were 49 Australian trainers here with more arriving today, so again they've proven that they are our most important market. It's also been great to see massive international names like Alastair Donald, Shadwell and Godolphin on the buying sheets.

"I'd also like to congratulate Waikato Stud and Cambridge Stud who supported NZB with 100% of their yearlings this year and were handsomely rewarded as a result."

One of those handsome results being Waikato Stud's seven-figure Savabeel yearling atLot 192who David Ellis of Te Akau Racing secured as a foundation member of his 2019 Colts Breeding syndicate.

Ellis has outlaid $7,825,000 to secure a total of 41 lots, including yearlings not only by proven sires but first season sires in Mongolian Khan (18 lots sold at an average of $107,778) and Contributer (11 lots at an average of $86,591). An ecstatic Ellis landed the leading buyer title for the 14th year in a row.

"We visited every farm in New Zealand and my wife Karyn and I came to the Sale really charged because they were the most athletic bunch of yearlings we have seen for a long time,' he said.

"We put in a lot of research, did a lot of homework and in the end bought off I think 15 different drafts – now we're looking forward to selling shares in them.

"I take my hat off to NZB, it is incredible the job they do year in and year out."

Waikato Stud have topped the leading vendor table by both aggregate (for the sixth straight year) and average (three or more sold) with 71 yearlings from their draft selling for $16,115,000 in receipts and an average price of $226,972, while their resident sire Savabeel provided six of the top 10-priced lots at Book 1 of Karaka 2019, bolstering his figures with a total of 47 lots sold at an average of $297,021 and aggregate of $13,960,000.

"Savabeel was a very important facet to our Sale," commented Waikato Stud's Mark Chittick.

"Our decision to sell 100% here has kept the reputation of our National Sale up, and that is very, very important to me, and to our operation.

"I'm really proud of breaking that million dollar barrier, selling the number one horse – he's the highest priced horse to be sold here since 2013.

"It's the effort, family and community we have created is what helps us to do this. You can't be the best without the best."

The high achievers on Day 4 of Book 1 came from two prominent vendors with both Pencarrow Stud and Waikato Stud selling equal top-priced yearlings for $500,000.

Pencarrow Stud's Frankel filly (Lot 577) featured numerous European stakes winners throughout her extended pedigree, a feature that purchasers Brendan and Jo Lindsay of Cambridge Stud valued, while European Bloodstock Agent Hubie de Burgh teamed up with Shadwell for the fourth time this week, sighting talent in Waikato Stud's Savabeel colt (Lot 657).

The second leading vendor by average, Sir Peter Vela's Pencarrow Stud have traded 14 lots at an average of $200,000, while Cambridge Stud are the second leading vendor by aggregate with 100% of their draft (53 lots) sold for $7,505,000 in receipts.

Bruce Perry has been an active buyer across all four days of trading, purchasing 15 lots for $2,565,000 in receipts, closely followed by Graeme Rogerson who has nearly doubled his spend at this time in 2018 securing 13 lots for $2,510,000 under Rogerson Bloodstock.

The first day of Book 2 commences tomorrow with Lot 699 to Lot 900 going under the hammer from 11am.

All horses purchased at Karaka this week are eligible for the lucrative Karaka Million Serieswith two $1 million races available for graduates as two and three-year-olds. Nominations must be received by 5pm Tuesday 5 March 2019.

To make enquiries about any Passed Lots contact Regan Donnison on +64 21 512 466.

Catch the highlights from Day 4 and relive all the action online here.