Gearing Up For Karaka 2005

With the 2004 National Yearling Sales a not-so-distant memory, it is hard to believe it is time again to start gearing up for January 2005. But in the wake of the fantastic Yearling Sale at Karaka, and the buying frenzy at the Sydney Easter Sale, prospective buyers are already interested in what will be offered at Karaka in 2005.

New Zealand Bloodstock has confirmed that the Sale will start on 31 January and continue through the first week of February. The actual split between Premier, Select and Festival sessions will be determined once entries are received. New Zealand Bloodstock's nomination forms will go out in the next fortnight, and nominations will close on 14 July.

Earlier this year, vendors saw record results at the Karaka Yearling Sales with the Sales average, median and clearance rates right across the three sales sessions all increasing from 2003. Most notably, the overall sales aggregate increased by 28%, showing a significant growth in returns to vendors.

The proven successful format will remain largely unchanged from this year with one notable difference - the Premier Sale will commence two hours earlier each day at 11am.

New Zealand Bloodstock Marketing & PR Manager, Petrea Vela commented, "This was a decision we have thought long and hard about in response to widespread demand from many vendors who felt that the Sale was starting too late at 1pm. We strongly believe that 2005 will be the best year ever to have a yearling at Karaka, and we want the Sale to be profiled to the world as an industry collective effort. If this means that we have to make this change to ensure vendors feel confident in our Sale format, then we think it is worthwhile."

Undoubtedly one of the biggest talking points of next year's Sale is the presence of the 19 Danehill yearlings. Purchased in 2003 from Coolmore Stud in Ireland in utero, these yearlings have all got Northern Hemisphere pedigrees guaranteeing an interest from international buyers. But while many buyers won't necessarily be in a position to be shopping for a Danehill, New Zealand Bloodstock is confident they will serve to put Karaka 2005 firmly on the international buying radar.

"The Danehills are certainly serving as a 'carrot' to get a lot of the overseas buyers to New Zealand in 2005, and indeed we have already got a commitment from a number of them to be there. Having those buyers ringside should have enormous benefit to our entire Sale because it gives all vendors offering yearlings for sale at Karaka next year an opportunity to showcase their yearlings to the best possible buying audience," said Ms Vela.

But there is no doubt that Karaka 2005 will have more than just Danehills to shout about. Leading International bloodstock agent, Grant Pritchard-Gordon agrees: "Danehill was undoubtedly The King�but the king is dead and I sense a groundswell of confidence in a fresh wave of New Zealand sires that aspire to his vacant throne."

Stravinsky is clearly emerging as a very promising sire and is currently leading the first season's sires tables in both New Zealand and Australia. Zabeel's influence continues its upward climb with colts like Reset selling for a reported AU$15,000,000, and fantastic performances recently from Greys Inn in South Africa and Winning Belle in Australia. Pentire is producing the goods, most recently with Gr.1 Adelaide Cup winner Pantani, and many other promising sires will also feature.

With still eight months to go, it is already starting to look as though Karaka 2005 might be a very exciting sale indeed. You would be advised to watch this space.