New Sales Season Kicks off with Yearling Inspections        

The countdown to the annual highlight on the thoroughbred calendar, Karaka 2025, kicks off again when yearling inspections get underway next month ahead of NZB’s 2024/25 sales season.

Breeders, owners and vendors have until this Friday 12 July to get their entries in for Karaka 2025, and soon after NZB’s bloodstock agents will be visiting farms across the country, inspecting the next class of potential stars.

Off the back of a record 2024 National Yearling Sales Series where the Book 1 Sale was the best on file since 2008, NZB’s Bloodstock Sales Manager Kane Jones is looking forward to the next season of sales.

“With Spring just around the corner, we are looking forward to getting on the road and spending around eight weeks travelling the country, inspecting close to 2,000 yearling entries.”

“We are typically looking at the conformation of the yearlings and combined with their pedigree and sire, we are able to work with vendors to suitably place them where they can fully realise their potential value.”

“Between first inspections and eventually selling at Karaka, we will view these yearlings several times. This gives us a wonderful insight into their development and what they might eventually grow into over the next few years.”

“Coming off the back of another phenomenal season and with all the positivity in the industry at the moment, it is an exciting time and we are looking forward to kicking off the season with inspections very soon,” he added.

While entries close this Friday for yearlings, NZB is also underway with taking entries for the Ready to Run Sale of Two-Year-Olds.

Noted as the best of its kind anywhere in the world, the Sale has seen record results on the racetrack and in the sale ring with the 2023 edition of the Sale turning over $35.1 million (up 39%) and no less than 12 lots selling for $500,000 or more. 

Graduates of the Sale have claimed no less than 29 Group One victories and 116 stakes wins in the last five seasons alone.

While the lead in for many vendors of this Sale might be shorter, the expert Kiwi horsemen and women who prepare these exceptional horses are experts in their field.

Recording a 100% clearance rate in his first year of selling two-year-olds under the BMD Bloodstock banner, vendor Barry Donoghue is happy with the progress of his 2024 Ready to Run Sale draft.

“I’ve been really pleased with how our rising two-year-olds’ education is going,” commented Donoghue.

“While the preparations are typically short, they take everything in their stride, working around the big tracks, walking through wooden gates, going on the walker and just being acclimatised to being part of a stable with a routine.”

“I work backwards from the Breeze Up dates which allow us to ensure each horse gets the proper education and program, while not being rushed.”

“They really thrive in their routines, and I look forward to the warmer months where we’ll see them really develop and grow into themselves,” he added.

Entries for NZB’s Karaka 2025 and 2024 Ready to Run Sale can be made online at portal.nzb.co.nz. For assistance, contact NZB's Bloodstock Administrator Mary Jane Harvey (+64 9 298 0055 or email maryjane.harvey@nzb.co.nz).

For the full details on upcoming sales, visit www.nzb.co.nz.

SALE CALENDAR

NZB Ready to Run Sale of Two-Year-Olds
Entries Close: Friday 2 August 2024
Breeze Ups: 21 & 22 October 2024 at Te Rapa
Sale: 20 & 21 November 2024 at Karaka

Karaka 2025: National Yearling Sales Series
Entries Close: Friday 12 July 2024
Book 1 Sale: 26 – 28 January 2025
Book 2 Sale: 29 & 30 January 2025