NZB Announces Changes to 2006 Sales Calendar

New Zealand Bloodstock has announced key changes to its sales calendar for next year. Replacing the National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale that is currently conducted in early May, and the Spring Bloodstock Sale in August, will be three new sales:

• Autumn Mixed Bloodstock Sale - 9 April 2006
• National Weanling Sale - 7 & 8 May 2006
• National Broodmare & Mixed Sale - 23 & 24 July 2006

New Zealand Bloodstock's Marketing & PR Manager, Petrea Vela, explained the reason for the changes: "Since our May Sale this year we have been discussing with some of our key vendors our options to enhance the sales opportunity for our weanlings and breeding stock in New Zealand.

"Our view, and one that is supported by those we have canvassed, is that early April is a good time for a lower cost mixed stock sale, leaving vendors free to concentrate on their weanling activities in May. We still have a lot of potential in our weanling market and we hope that by having a dedicated weanling sale we will be able to continue to grow and develop this into a strong complement to the yearling sales."

"Our Spring Sale in August already has a solid record of success for broodmares and we have therefore decided to make this the focus in July. We believe it is preferable to bring the sale forward to July as it is more timely for breeders and owners planning for the new breeding season and the results from the Spring Sale support that. Further to that, by selling in July rather than August it will allow those mares foaling early to still go through the ring and it works in favour of buyers who would rather acquire an empty mare at this time of year than in May."

"We will also look at conducting a Central Districts Sale next year if there is the demand for it."

"There's no question that we experienced a weaker National Weanling and Broodmare Sale this May, although a number of factors contributed to this and so it is not the only reason we have decided to make these changes. In the interests of our breeders and vendors we believe it is time to update our formula and we hope to see a positive impact throughout the industry as a result."

New Zealand Bloodstock's full sales calendar for the forthcoming year is as follows:

• South Island 2YO & Mixed Bloodstock Sale - 12 August 2005

• Spring Bloodstock Sale - 21 August 2005

• Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs - 15 & 16 November 2005

• National Yearling Sales Series - 30 January - 6 February 2006

• Autumn Mixed Bloodstock Sale - 9 April 2006

• National Weanling Sale - 7 & 8 May 2006

• National Broodmare & Mixed Sale - 23 & 24 July 2006

• South Island 2YO & Mixed Bloostock Sale - 11 August 2006

• Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs�- 14 & 15 November 2006