Exciting New Stallions Embark Karaka 2021

All eyes will be on a number of sensational new names from stallion line-ups on both sides of the Tasman when their first crops of yearlings go through the ring during Karaka 2021.

The catalogues for Book 1 and Book 2 feature a total of 17 first season sires, with anticipation building ahead of their debut offerings.

ALMANZOR

Standing at Cambridge Stud, Almanzor is one of the best-credentialled stallions to shuttle to New Zealand in the last decade. 

He is a son of Wootton Bassett, who himself was champion two-year-old in France in 2010. Wootton Bassett’s sire is Iffraaj, who has been highly successful over many years of shuttling to Haunui Farm, siring the likes of Group One winners Turn Me Loose (NZ), Gingernuts (NZ), Jon Snow (NZ) and Wyndspelle (NZ).

Almanzor was Europe’s champion three-year-old colt in 2016 and claimed the same honour in Ireland and France, and he received a Timeform rating of 133 and World Thoroughbred Rating of 129.

He won eight of his 11 starts, six of them at stakes level including three Group One titles. His first black-type credit came in the Listed Grand Criterium de Bourdeaux (1600m) as a two-year-old, and the following year he added the Group One Prix du Jockey Club (2100m), Irish Champion Stakes (2000m) and British Champion Stakes (2000m), along with the Group Two Prix Guillaume d’Ornano (2000m) and Group Three Prix de Guiche (1800m).

Among the horses he defeated in those Group One victories were Found (Galileo), who won the Group One Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) and Breeders’ Cup Turf (2400m), along with multiple Group One winners Minding (Galileo) and Jack Hobbs (Halling).

Almanzor received strong support from breeders in his first season shuttling to Cambridge Stud, producing 93 live foals. His progeny are sure to be the centre of attention come Karaka 2021. The catalogue for Book 1 features 48 Almanzor yearlings, with another two in Book 2.

 

CARAVAGGIO 

Elite sprinter Caravaggio shuttled to Coolmore Australia in 2018, where he served 143 mares. He is by the late, great American star Scat Daddy, sire of 31 Group or Grade One winners including Triple Crown champion Justify and exceptional stallion No Nay Never.

The dam of Caravaggio is Mekko Hokte (Holy Bull), who won at Listed level and is also the dam of Grade Two winner and black-type producer My Jen (Fusaichi Pegasus).

Caravaggio won seven of his 10 starts, including the Group One Phoenix Stakes (1200m), Group One Commonwealth Cup (1200m) and Group Two Coventry Stakes (1200m). He also finished third in the Group One British Champions Sprint (1200m) and fourth in the Group One July Cup (1200m).

The catalogue for Book 1 of Karaka 2021 features five yearlings by Caravaggio.

 

CHURCHILL 

Four-time Group One winner Churchill is another promising stallion shuttling to Coolmore Australia. His sire Galileo needs no introduction, being an 11-time champion sire of Britain and Ireland and the sire of 89 individual Group One winners. His sire sons include Teofilo, Frankel, New Approach, Rip Van Winkle, Australia, Cape Blanco and many more.

Churchill is out of Meow (Storm Cat), who won at Listed level and placed in the Group Two Queen Mary Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot. Meow is the dam of five foals to race, three of them stakes winners. Churchill’s full-sister Clemmie (Galileo) won the Group One Cheveley Park Stakes (1200m), while Blenheim Palace (Galileo) captured last year’s Group Three Dundalk Diamond Stakes (2100m).

Churchill was champion two-year-old colt in Europe in 2016 and champion three-year-old miler the following year. His juvenile campaign featured victories in the Group One National Stakes (1400m) and Dewhurst Stakes (1400m), and he added the Group One English 2000 Guineas (1600m) and Irish 2000 Guineas (1600m) as a three-year-old.

There are five Churchill yearlings catalogued in Book 1 for Karaka 2021, and one in Book 2.

 

DERRYN 

Grangewilliam Stud’s new recruit Derryn is by Hinchinbrook, sire of four Group One winners including superb Hong Kong sprinter Beat the Clock and Caulfield Guineas hero Press Statement.

Derryn won three races, headed by the A$600,000 Group Two Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m) during The Championships at Randwick, where he defeated a star-studded field. The second and third placegetters were subsequent Group One winners Global Glamour (Star Witness) and Impending (Lonhro).

He also won at Listed level and placed in another four black-type events, including the Group One Doomben 10,000 (1200m) in Brisbane, in which he was beaten by the dual Everest (1200m) and Group One winner Redzel (Snitzel).

Derryn produced 53 live foals in his first crop. There are two yearlings in Book 1 of Karaka 2021, with 12 in Book 2.

 

HELLBENT 

A speedy son of champion Australian stallion I Am Invincible, Hellbent stands alongside his champion sire at Yarraman Park.

I Am Invincible has been Australia’s leading sire of winners in each of the last two seasons, and he has sired 555 winners from 709 progeny to race, with 59 individual stakes winners. Nine of his progeny have won at the highest level, including the likes of Viddora, Brazen Beau, Loving Gaby and the New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) heroine Media Sensation. I Am Invincible now has nine sons at stud in Australia.

The dam of Hellbent is the winning Volksraad mare Volkaspray (NZ), who is also the dam of the stakes-placed Hulk (I Am Invincible).

Hellbent had 23 starts for seven wins, headed by the Group One William Reid Stakes (1200m). He also placed in the William Reid and the Oakleigh Plate (1100m).

Buyers will have access to two Hellbent yearlings in Book 1 of Karaka 2021.

 

IMPENDING 

Darley’s Impending stands in Victoria and is by Australian Horse of the Year and highly successful sire Lonhro, who has produced 916 winners from 1264 progeny to race including 89 stakes winners. His standout performers include the likes of Pierro, Denman, Exosphere and star Kiwi sprinter Bounding.

Impending’s dam is Mnemosyne (Encosta de Lago), the winner of the Group One Thousand Guineas (1600m) and Queen of the Turf Stakes (1500m). Mnemosyne has produced five winners from six foals to race, with Forget (Exceed and Excel) and Epidemic (Lonhro) also winning at stakes level. Her placed daughter Erato (Street Cry) is the dam of Group One winner Lyre (Lonhro).

Impending himself won five races, headed by the Group One Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) and Kingsford-Smith Cup (1350m). He also placed in Group One races in Sydney and Melbourne.

There are three yearlings by Impending in Book 1 of Karaka 2021.

 

INVADER 

Aquis Farm stands Invader by record-breaking Aussie stallion Snitzel, a four-time champion Australian sire who has been represented by 888 winners from 1159 progeny to race. His 105 stakes winners include 14 Group One winners. He now has a number of young sons at stud, including Shamus Award, Trapeze Artist and Russian Revolution.

Invader is out of Flame of Sydney (Encosta de Lago), a Listed winner who also placed at Group Two level. She is the dam of five winners from six foals to race. Notlistenin’tome (Dylan Thomas) won Group races in both Australia and Hong Kong, and was also Group One-placed in both places.

Invader himself was a high-class juvenile, winning the Group One ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) and finishing second in the Group One Champagne Stakes (1600m).

Invader has one yearling in Book 1 of Karaka 2021.

 

MERCHANT NAVY 

Coolmore’s Merchant Navy is by Fastnet Rock, who has been champion sire in Australia and has also made a massive impact worldwide. He is the sire of 1314 winners from 1851 progeny to race, with 164 stakes winners including 40 at Group One level. His elite performers include the likes Atlantic Jewel, Avantage, Mosheen and Shoals. He has also made an impression as a sire of sires with sons such as Hinchinbrook, Foxwedge, Smart Missile, Atlante, Highly Recommended, El Roca and Rock ‘n’ Pop.

Merchant Navy is out of Legally Bay (Snippets), whose three wins included the Group Three Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m). She also placed in the Group One Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and Australia Stakes (1200m).

Legally Bay is the dam of six winners, and Merchant Navy’s full-sister Jolie Bay (Fastnet Rock) won the Group Two Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) and placed in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m). Jolie Bay is also the dam of Group Two performer God of Thunder (More than Ready).

Merchant Navy himself won seven of his 10 starts and was a Group One winner in both hemispheres. He won Flemington’s Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) as a three-year-old, then travelled to Royal Ascot and triumphed in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m).

Book 1 of Karaka 2021 will feature five yearlings by Merchant Navy.

 

MONGOLIAN FALCON 

The talented and beautifully bred Mongolian Falcon stands at Willow Glen Stud. He is by Fastnet Rock, who is a renowned source of Group One-quality thoroughbreds in both hemispheres. Mongolian Falcon’s dam is the multiple Group placegetter Amazing Beauty, whose sire is the legendary Galileo.

In a career cut short by injury, Mongolian Falcon won three of his nine starts. He produced a phenomenal performance in the Group Two Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Hastings in the spring of his three-year-old year, winning by five lengths against a field that featured past or future Group One winners Jon Snow (NZ) (Iffraaj), Heroic Valour (Fastnet Rock), Ugo Foscolo (NZ) (Zacinto) and Wyndspelle (NZ) (Iffraaj).

Mongolian Falcon also placed in the Group Two Sarten Memorial (1400m) and the Listed (now Group Three) Matamata Slipper (1200m).

Three Mongolian Falcon yearlings feature in the catalogue for Book 2 of Karaka 2021.

 

PARIAH 

Arrowfield Stud’s Pariah is by one of Australia’s all-time greats, the late Redoute’s Choice. A three-time champion Australian sire, Redoute’s Choice has been represented by 1145 winners from 1487 progeny to race, with 177 individual stakes winners including the likes of Miss Finland, Lankan Rupee, The Autumn Sun and Snitzel.

Pariah’s dam Secluded (Hussonet) won three races and is a half-sister to the two-time Group One winner Melito (Redoute’s Choice).

Pariah was a Group winner at the ages of two and three, capturing the Group Three Canonbury Stakes (1100m) as a juvenile and later adding the Group Three San Domenico Stakes (1100m). He also placed in the Group One Blue Diamond (1200m) and Group Two Run to the Rose (1200m).

There is one Pariah yearling in Book 1 of Karaka 2021.

 

RIBCHESTER 

A Group One-winning son of the influential Iffraaj, Ribchester stands at Haunui Farm this season.

Haunui is the former southern hemisphere home of Iffraaj, whose 11 years shuttling to this part of the world produced the likes of Group One winners Turn Me Loose (NZ), Gingernuts (NZ), Jon Snow (NZ) and Wyndspelle (NZ).

Ribchester’s dam is Mujarah (Marju), a half-sister to Group One winner Matterhorn (Raven’s Pass) and stakes winners Bangkok (Australia), Tactic (Sadler’s Wells) and Yaazy (Teofilo).

From 16 starts, Ribchester won six races including the Group One Prix Jaques le Marois (1600m), Lockinge Stakes (1600m), Queen Anne Stakes (1600m) and Prix du Moulin (1600m). He also placed in the Group One English 2000 Guineas (1600m), Dubai Turf (1800m), and two editions of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (1600m) and Sussex Stakes (1600m).

Three yearlings from Ribchester’s first Australian crop feature in Book 1 of Karaka 2021.

 

RUSSIAN REVOLUTION 

Slick sprinter Russian Revolution stands at Newgate Farm and is by the record-breaker Snitzel, a four-time champion Australian sire who has been represented by 888 winners from 1159 progeny to race. His 105 stakes winners include 14 Group One winners. He now has a number of young sons at stud, including Shamus Award, Trapeze Artist and Invader.

Russian Revolution is out of the Stravinsky mare Ballet D’Amour, a winning half-sister to stakes winner Taletobetold (Tale of the Cat). Ballet D’Amour is the dam of six winners from six foals to race, with Turbo Miss (Sebring) also winning at black-type level.

From 11 starts, Russian Revolution won seven races including the Group One Galaxy Handicap (1100m) and Oakleigh Plate (1100m).

Four yearlings by Russian Revolution feature in the catalogue for Book 1 of Karaka 2021.

 

SATONO ALADDIN 

Satono Aladdin stood at Rich Hill Stud but was unfortunately unable to return in 2020 due to travel complications arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alongside Staphanos, Satono Aladdin was one of only two sons of the mighty Deep Impact at stud in New Zealand.

Himself a two-time Japanese Horse of the Year, Deep Impact has been that country’s champion sire every year since 2012. He has sired a total of 1123 winners from 1526 progeny to race, including 165 individual stakes winners.

Satono Aladdin won eight of his 29 starts, reaching his pinnacle in the Group One Yasuda Kinen (1600m). His winning time was a scintillating 1:31.5, fractions of a second outside the race record.

He also won the Group Two Mainichi Broadcasting System Sho Swan (1400m) and Group Two Keio Hai Spring Cup (1400m).

Satono Aladdin was a stakes performer every year from the age of two to six, contesting 10 Group One events and 21 stakes races.

From his first season at Rich Hill Stud, Satono Aladdin produced 60 live foals. He has nine yearlings in Book 1 of Karaka 2021, and 15 in Book 2.

 

SPIETH (NZ)

Group One performer Spieth (NZ) stands at Aquis Farm Hunter Valley.

He is by Thorn Park, a Group One winner on the racetrack who made a name for himself at stud with star progeny such as Jimmy Choux (NZ), Ocean Park (NZ), Veyron (NZ), Suavito (NZ), Norzita (NZ), Ryan Mark (NZ) and The Party Stand (NZ). Ocean Park is now a highly successful sire in his own right.

Spieth’s dam Stella Livia (Titus Livius) won two races and is a half-sister to the Group One winner Ransom O’War (Red Ransom).

Stella Livia’s seven foals to race include six winners. Spieth’s three-quarter-brother Star of the Seas (NZ) (Ocean Park) is a Group Three winner and has placed in the Group One Doncaster Handicap (1600m), Winx Stakes (1400m), Epsom Handicap (1600m) and George Main Stakes (1600m).

Spieth won five races headed by the Listed Lightning Handicap (1100m), but he also placed in the Group One Lightning Stakes (1000m) and VRC Sprint Classic (1200m).

There is one Spieth yearling in Book 1 of Karaka 2021.

 

TIME TEST 

Shuttling to Little Avondale Stud, Time Test is by Dubawi, who was a multiple Group One winner and was champion of his generation in Ireland at the age of both two and three. He has continued that excellence at stud, claiming multiple titles in Europe and siring 959 winners from 1311 progeny to race.

His 193 individual stakes-winning progeny include the English 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Makfi, who has previously shuttled to New Zealand with great success. Dubawi also sired Postponed, one of the world’s highest-rated horses in 2016, along with the likes of Benbatl, Al Kazeem, Lucky Nine, Too Darn Hot, Srikandi and Night of Thunder.

Time Test won six of his 14 starts, including four victories at Group level. He broke the track record in his victory in the Group Three Tercentenary Stakes (2000m) at Royal Ascot, and he also won the Group Two Joel Stakes (1600m), Group Two York Stakes (2100m) and Group Three Brigadier Gerard Stakes (2000m).

He placed in the Grade One Manhattan Stakes (2000m) and Fourstardave Handicap (1600m) at Belmont and New York respectively, along with the Group One Eclipse Stakes (2000m) at Sandown.

Time Test’s first New Zealand crop produced 76 live foals, he is the sire of eight yearlings in Book 1 of Karaka 2021, and 16 in Book 2.

 

WAR DECREE 

War Decree has been an exciting new addition to the South Island’s stallion ranks, standing at Inglewood Stud.

He is by War Front, an elite sprinter who has become an influential stallion with 471 winners from 654 progeny to race, 95 of them at stakes level.

War Front has sired a dozen Group or Grade One winners, including the dual Group One winner Declaration of War, who has made an impact in this part of the world as the sire of last season’s Victoria Derby (2500m) winner Warning and Melbourne Cup winner Vow and Declare.

War Decree is out of a Street Cry mare. Street Cry is best known in Australasia as the sire of champion mare Winx, but he is also the broodmare sire of 77 individual stakes winners around the world.

From 11 starts, War Decree won three times including the Group Two Vintage Stakes (1400m) at Goodwood, beating the Dubai World Cup winner Thunder Snow. He also won the Group Three Dundalk Diamond Stakes (2300m) and placed in another two Group Two events.

His first crop at Inglewood Stud numbered 55 live foals. Karaka 2021 will feature nine War Decree yearlings in Book 1 and eight in Book 2.

 

WHAT’S THE STORY (NZ) 

Group One performer What’s the Story (NZ) stands at Norwegian Park. He is by New Zealand’s six-time champion sire Savabeel, who has sired 706 winners from 990 progeny to race. His 105 individual stakes winners include 20 at Group One level. What’s the Story is the first Group One-performed son of Savabeel to go to stud in New Zealand.

The dam of What’s the Story is Tall Story (NZ) (Carnegie), a half-sister to Group One winner Tall Poppy (NZ) (Kaapstad) and daughter of Group One winner Fun on the Run (NZ) (Racing is Fun).

What’s the Story recorded two impressive victories in his short racing career, and he produced an enormous finishing burst to finish second in the Group One New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie.

What’s The Story has one yearling entered for Book 1 of Karaka 2021.

The yearling class of 2021 boasts an exceptional catalogue of 579 yearlings in Book 1, with another 339 quality youngsters for sale in Book 2.

While prospective international buyers may be unable to travel to Karaka in January, all yearlings will be available for on-farm inspections as well as onsite at Karaka prior to the Sale, with NZB and New Zealand-based agents available to inspect on behalf.

A strong benefit of the Sale, all yearlings offered at Karaka 2021 are eligible to be nominated for the lucrative Karaka Million Series. The exciting racing prospects will have an opportunity to race for their share of two million dollar features - the $1m DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) in 2022 and the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) in 2023. Karak 2021 graduates also have the opportunity to contest the $100,000 CollinsonForex Karaka Cup (2200m) for the remainder of their careers.

Karaka 2021 Schedule

Karaka Million Twilight meeting: Saturday 23 January

Book 1: Sunday 24 – Tuesday 26 January

Book 2: Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 January  

National Online Yearling Sale: Wednesday 3 February