Karaka 2023

DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka - Hotel Build Update July 2022

Now that it is officially complete, the DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka hotel has added a smart new addition to NZB’s Karaka Sales Centre and wider Franklin business portfolio.

NZB: Destination Karaka

In this month’s NZB video series, we're showcasing the new and best things that await you here at Karaka. After two and a half years of border closures, we’re looking forward to welcoming old and new friends and business partners back to New Zealand.

We can't wait for Karaka 2023!

Karaka 2022 Highlights

NZB Sale-Topping Highlights

Join NZB for a trip down memory lane as we revisit some of our sale-topping highlights over the years at our Karaka National Yearling Sales Series. Can anyone guess who will be the highlight of Karaka 2023?

Karaka 2023 | The Karaka Experience

NZB invites all prospective buyers, racing enthusiasts and public to join us at #Karaka2023. From fresh oysters to an ice-cold beer or a crisp glass of wine, these are just a few of the elements that make up ‘The Karaka Experience’. �

Karaka 2023 Preview | Caroline Searcy

Karaka 2023 | Where it all Begins

Rodney Schick gave NZB’s Jessie Gower a tour of Windsor Park Stud during the spring. With Karaka 2023 only a matter of weeks away, take a look behind the scenes at this legendary Cambridge thoroughbred nursery and see where their draft of high-quality yearlings made their start in life.

Karaka 2023 | Where it all Begins

Rich Hill Stud is a name synonymous with success, establishing itself as one of New Zealand’s leading thoroughbred nurseries.

Karaka 2023 | Trelawney Stud

Brent Taylor gave NZB’s Jessie Gower a tour around Trelawney Stud, providing an insight into this legendary nursery, which is New Zealand’s longest running commercial thoroughbred farm.

Karaka 2023 | Where it all Begins

Leading vendor at Karaka for several years, Waikato Stud's reputation on the racetrack is just as formidable as its record in the sales ring.

2023 Karaka Million | Craig Baker

Less than a week out from the 2023 Karaka Million, NZB took a moment to have a chat with ATR Inc. General Manager of Racing, Craig Baker.

2023 Karaka Million | Andrew Forsman

Andrew Forsman has every chance to continue that success, with Ethereal Star looking to contest the $1m DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO and The Intimidator, Devastate and Wessex in the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic.

2023 Karaka Million | Stephen Marsh

NZB’s Jessie Gower chats with leading kiwi trainer Stephen Marsh Racing ahead of our 2023 Karaka Million meeting at Pukekohe Park.

2023 Karaka Million | David Ellis

NZB’s Jessie Gower chatted with Te Akau Racing Principal and elite Karaka Million selector David Ellis. The Stable has eight runners across the two races this year and will also be looking to contest a seventh consecutive Karaka Million 2YO victory.

2023 Karaka Million | Roger James

Group One winner Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) will feature amongst an elite field for NZB’s $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic this Saturday 21 January at Pukekohe Park. We caught up with Champion trainer Roger James of Kingsclere Stables who gave us his thoughts on their exciting filly and her barrier draw result.

2023 Karaka Million | John Elstob

Te Rapa Racing Chairman and prolific racehorse owner John Elstob has not one but FOUR chances at winning NZB’s $1m DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO and $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic this Saturday.

2023 Karaka Million | Butch and Tess Castles

Husband and wife duo Butch and Tess Castles have a thrilling night of #KarakaMillion racing ahead of them, owning separate shares in competing runners who have made NZB’s $1m DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO field.

2023 Karaka Million Winner | Butch Castles

There is only one $1m DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO winner each year and Butch Castles was lucky enough to experience that exhilarating moment after Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) stormed home to win the race last weekend.

2023 Karaka Million | Mark Baker

Hallmark Stud is relishing in Karaka Million success after breeding and selling this year’s $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic winner Prowess (NZ) (Proisir).

Karaka 2023 | Little Avondale

Hailing from the mighty Central Districts, Sam Williams of Little Avondale Stud knows how to breed a Group One winner, following the success of prolific sprinter in Australia Roch ‘N’ Horse.

Karaka 2023 | Brendan Lindsay

NZB’s Jessie Gower chats to Brendan Lindsay ahead of Karaka 2023. Brendan and his wife Jo will put forward another stellar draft of yearlings under their Cambridge Stud banner, with some special lots dating back to the farm’s famous Eight Carat family.

Karaka 2023 - Brendon McCullum

Cricket legend Brendon McCullum has a passion for the thoroughbred breeding and racing game. After some fantastic results at the track recently, Baz was back at Karaka today inspecting yearlings ahead of Karaka 2023, looking for his next champion. Selling kicks off on Sunday at 11AM.

Where it all Begins | Wentwood Grange

Established in 2000 by Welsh immigrants Des and Jan Hawkins, Wentwood Grange has quickly transitioned from a boutique farm to a major player in the New Zealand breeding industry. Wentwood Grange is now in the hands of their sons Sean, Dean and Leigh, who caught up with NZB’s Jessie Gower on the road to Karaka 2023.

Karaka 2023 | Carlaw Park

Nick Fairweather and Nicole Brown are looking forward to offering another quality draft at Karaka under their Carlaw Park banner. Fairweather commented on the diversity of their stallion representation, with something for everyone on offer.

Karaka 2023 | Sir Peter Vela

NZB Principal and Pencarrow Stud owner Sir Peter Vela took the time out before the commencement of Karaka 2023 to chat with Jessie Gower about all things Pencarrow and the influence of Sir Patrick Hogan.

Karaka 2023 - Chris Waller Racing

Jessie Gower of NZB chatted with Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller just before the start of Karaka 2023. Waller is excited to be back on the complex to inspect and purchase Kiwi horses, which he has had much success with previously.

Karaka 2023 | David Ellis

King of the Karaka ring - David Ellis - is back purchasing Lot 59, a Savabeel colt out of Bayrock from Windsor Park Stud’s Book 1 draft. This lot was on his “must buy” list for the Te Akau Racing Stable.

Karaka 2023 | Lib Petanga

Selling at Karaka for the first time under his own banner, Lib Petanga of Elsdon Park brought fierce quality to the sale ring. Andrew Williams, Forsman Racing and Bevan Smith purchased his Savabeel filly (ex Chiaretta) Lot 97 for $600,000.

Karaka 2023 | Rodney Schick

Rodney Schick of Windsor Park Stud was delighted after the sale of Lot 59, his Savabeel colt out of Bayrock which sold for $625,000. This lot was purchased by one of the best judges in the business, David Ellis of Te Akau Racing.

Karaka 2023 | Stephen Marsh

Group One trainer Stephen Marsh is thrilled with his $380,000 purchase of Lot 91, a Super Seth colt out of Chandelier. This colt is a half-brother to Group One winner in Australia Mo’unga and was offered by Waikato Stud.

Karaka 2023 | John O'Shea

Jessie Gower chatted to Australian trainer John O'Shea Racing who was thrilled to be back at Karaka, bringing with him an army of clients who were taken with New Zealand during the O’Shea tour in December.

Karaka 2023 | Tom Magnier

Coolmore’s Tom Magnier is delighted to be back at Karaka and impressed with the calibre of bloodstock he’s seen. We had a chat with him about what sets New Zealand apart when it comes to producing top horses.

Karaka 2023 | Sam Beatson

Best known for selling Hong Kong hero Golden Sixty from NZB’s Ready to Run Sale, Sam Beatson of Riversley Park is now dabbling in selling yearlings at Karaka 2023.

Karaka 2023 | Jamie Richards

Hong Kong-based Jamie Richards has travelled to Karaka 2023 with a full list of orders for his clients. Richards has purchased four lots so far, including highlight purchases of $400,000 for a Deep Field colt and $320,000 for a Per Incanto colt.

Karaka 2023 | Todd Pollard

Young gun Todd Pollard has travelled back to Karaka, purchasing on behalf of Australian trainer Annabel Neasham. Neasham has secured five lots so far, including two Ocean Park fillies and a colt, a Tivaci filly and a Super Seth filly.

Karaka 2023 | Albert Bosma

Albert Bosma of Go Racing has been busy setting the Karaka sale ring alight, securing six yearlings from Karaka 2023. Included is a stunning Almanzor filly out of High Chaparral mare Hi Appiel (NZ). This filly will be heading to the stable of Annabel Neasham.

Karaka 2023 | Brent Taylor

NZB’s Jessie Gower is back with Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud after Lot 294, a bay colt by Too Darn Hot out of Lady Sayyida sells for $750,000. Taylor is delighted to have the current sale topping lot, let us see what he has to say.

Karaka 2023 | Danny Rolston

A familiar face around Karaka, Danny Rolston of the Hong Kong Jockey Club returns to New Zealand after venturing abroad to embark on his new role as International Sales Manager. As NZB’s previous Director of Sales, we could not wait to catch up with Danny.

Karaka 2023 | Cameron Cooke

Cameron Cooke purchased Lot 294 for $750,000, a colt by first season sire Too Darn Hot out of elite Trelawney Stud mare Lady Sayyida. This lot is from the same family as super sires Ocean Park and Grunt.

Karaka 2023 | Peter Moody

It comes as no surprise that Australian trainer Peter Moody purchased the sibling to his $10 million Golden Eagle winner I Wish I Win (NZ). Lot 328, an Ocean Park colt out of Make a Wish was bought for $375,000 from Waikato Stud.

Karaka 2023 | Sam Williams

Sam Williams of Little Avondale offered Lot 329, a colt by fire sire Per Incanto out of Makkura. This Lot was purchased by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for $360,000.

Karaka 2023 | Stephan Marsh

Stephen Marsh has been active at Karaka, securing six yearlings in various partnerships. Let’s hear what the trainer had to say about his new purchases.

Karaka 2023 | Mark Purdon

Champion harness trainer Mark Purdon of All Stars Racing secured Lot 257 for $200,000. The Savabeel colt out of Pink Graffiti was purchased from Waikato Stud.

Karaka 2023 | Josh Murphy

NZB Airfreight’s Australian Manager Josh Murphy has a wealth of expertise and unrivalled understanding of the need for safety and reliability when it comes to flying horses around the globe.

Karaka 2023 | Lindsay Park Racing

Jessie Gower chatted poolside with Josh Rix and Ben Hayes of Lindsay Park at the DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka this morning. The team are delighted with their three purchases so far, highlighted by a $140,000 spent on a Per Incanto filly and an Ocean Park filly they purchased for $140,000

Karaka 2023 | Gordon Cunningham

Gordon Cunningham of Curraghmore is thrilled by his 100% clearance rate at Karaka 2023. His Sale is highlighted by two $450,000 purchases made from his draft on Day One of Book 1, both purchased by Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock.

Karaka 2023 | Johnny McKeever

Travelling all the way from England, Johnny McKeever of Johnny McKeever Bloodstock is ecstatic to finally be back here on the complex for Karaka 2023. Let's see what he had to say.

Karaka 2023 | Kevin 'Millie' Walls

Kevin ‘Millie’ Walls of KPW Bloodstock has purchased 11 lots so far at Karaka 2023, including highlight purchases of $450,000 for a Per Incanto colt and $380,000 for a Grunt colt.

Karaka 2023 | Andrew Forsman

After purchasing a stellar filly for $600,000 on Day One of Book 1 Forsman Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock / Bevan Smith Bloodstock went to $460,000 for a Written Tycoon Filly out of Save the Date. A future Karaka Million filly perhaps?