Countdown to Karaka 2023

New Zealand Bloodstock’s 97th National Yearling Sale Series National Yearling Sales Series is just moments away, set to ignite the Karaka Sales Centre over six-actioned packed days of selling from Sunday 29 January to Friday 3 February. 

Horses have now arrived on site at Karaka and the grounds are teeming with buyer inspections and parades. NZB is thrilled to be able to welcome back international buyers to this Sale for the first time in three years, who will provide tough competition in the ring for our domestic buying bench.

As NZB counts down to the commencement of selling at 11AM on Sunday, here are a few details for those wanting to participate in the live sale action.

Sale Broadcast 

Book 1 of Karaka 2023 will feature on SKY Pop Up Channel 263, while both Book 1 and Book 2 will appear on Freeview Channel 200 in New Zealand. Selling will also be streamed live on NZB’s website and its online bidding platform, as well as live streamed on NZB’s Facebook page. Sale highlights will go to air on Trackside 1 in New Zealand and Racing.com and SKY Racing in Australia.

Each day of Book 1 will be bookended with a 30 minute Preview and Review show. A special commemoration of Sir Patrick Hogan will be held at 10.45AM on the first day of Book 1 (29 January), meaning the Preview Show on Day One will begin at an earlier start time of 10:15AM (NZT). For the remainder of selling during Book 1, the Preview Show will begin at 10:30AM prior to the opening of each sale day. As usual, the Review Show will take place immediately after the conclusion of selling. Hosted by Michael Guerin, these shows will feature catalogue highlights, interviews with key personalities, sales analysis and colour from right around the Karaka Sales Centre.

Onlookers around the globe can also expect Michael Guerin and NZB’s Client and Public Relations Manager Jessie Gower to bring key sale highlights and interviews across selling. All the live action will be published on NZB’s social media and Sale TV channels. 

• To view the live broadcast online, visit nzb.co.nz and click on the Sale link. This will bring you to the catalogue and live video stream, where results will be updated regularly throughout the Sale.
• The action can also be viewed from the live stream on NZB’s facebook page: facebook.com/NewZealandBloodstock.
• Lot-by-lot footage, Sale highlights and interviews will be posted on NZB’s Karaka TV channel after selling.

Purchasing at Karaka 2023 

Buyers who are physically onsite at Karaka need to make sure they register to purchase at NZB’s Sale Day Office at least 24 hours prior to selling.

For those wishing to purchase horses remotely, online bidding registrations are open Karaka 2023 this week. Buyers are encouraged to visit bidonline.nzb.co.nz to register and verify their accounts 24 hours prior to the Sale.  Should you require any assistance with NZB’s online bidding platform, contact support@nzb.co.nz or call +64 9 298 0055.

Phone bidding is another welcomed option for buyers, for enquiries contact NZB Bloodstock Executive Kane Jones on +64 27 274 4985 or email kane.jones@nzb.co.nz or Regan Donnison on +64 21 512 466 or email regan.donnison@nzb.co.nz.

All yearlings entered have been inspected by NZB and New Zealand-based agents, who will be able to provide inspection notes and evaluations for buyers.

With horses now onside, vendors are also available to contact for parades at the Karaka Sales Centre, view the full vendor contact list here.

One Stop Shop

Once the gavel falls, every aspect of the purchaser’s bloodstock interests can be managed in one location at Karaka, with NZB’s Airfreight, Insurance and Finance divisions available to service buyers' needs post-sale. . If you are at Karaka, see the team in the Sale Day Office, or call NZB via +64 9 298 0055 for assistance.

The Karaka Experience 

NZB is pleased to invite all public to attend Karaka 2023 this week, with an array of hospitality options available for sale enthusiasts to experience. Entry into the Karaka Sales Centre is free and all are welcome to attend.

One of the unique aspects of NZB’s ‘Karaka Experience’ is the vendor’s lavish hospitality marquees for entertaining and catering for clients. Enjoy a wide and varied range of gourmet delicacies and kiwi favourites and get to know the people behind the studs.

For a café style menu and an extensive selection of beverages, the Karaka Garden Bar can be found of the ground level of the complex. Snack items and sweet treats are also located on the first level at the Tulloch Café, with all registered buyers welcome to enjoy the Phar Lap Room on sale days. For a delectable meal, head to the Ethereal Artisan Kitchen at NZB’s brand new DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka hotel, with signature Karaka cocktails flowing at the Horseshow Bar.

For enquiries or sale information, contact Bloodstock Executive Kane Jones (Kane.Jones@nzb.co.nz or +64 27 274 4985) or Sales Representative Regan Donnison (Regan.Donnison@nzb.co.nz or +64 21 512 466).

View the full Karaka 2023 online catalogue, lot media and important documentation here.

Selling Schedule 

Book 1 Sale: 29 - 31 January at Karaka 
Book 2 Sale: 1 - 3 February at Karaka