NZB South Island Sale Catalogue Available Now

The catalogue for the New Zealand Bloodstock South Island Sale, featuring the inaugural South Island Session of the National Yearling Sales Series, is available online and in the post now.

To be held at Canterbury Agricultural Park in Christchurch on Sunday 13 April commencing at 11am, the Sale has been shifted from its traditional position in August as a sale of untried two-year-olds and mixed bloodstock.

The 2014 edition of the Sale is predominantly an auction of yearlings therefore the Sale now forms part of the National Yearling Sales Series. One advantage of being incorporated into the National Yearling Sales Series is that yearlings entered in the Sale can be nominated in the Karaka Million Series.

In addition to featuring New Zealand’s richest race, the Karaka Million, the Karaka Million Series received a boost this year with an increase in prizemoney for the Karaka 3YO Mile from $100,000 to $250,000 for 2016, when this year’s crop of yearlings are three-year-olds. The $100,000 Karaka Stayers Cup was run for the first time this year, open to all Yearling Sale graduates of Karaka until 2018 when it will become exclusive to Karaka Million nominated horses, when this crop of yearlings will be five-year-olds.

South Island graduates have a rich heritage of performing at the highest level. Among the most accomplished alumni of the Sale are Group 1 Caulfield Cup winner Master O’Reilly (NZ) (O’Reilly) and Group 1 VRC Derby winner Second Coming (NZ) (Oak Ridge).

In recent times the Sale has enjoyed success in New Zealand with sprinters Natuzzi (NZ) (Coats Choice) and Pizzazz (NZ) (Bertolini) both winning stakes races last year, Natuzzi was also runner-up in the Group 1 Telegraph Handicap this year.

Success last year was also tasted by Blood Brotha (NZ) (Danzighill) winning the Group 2 Wellington Cup, adding to his two Group 3 New Zealand Cups. Internationally, Martin (NZ) (Colombia) triumphed at stakes level in Singapore.

There is a strong representation from South Island vendors along with a number of North Island vendors travelling down for the Sale. The largest draft will be offered by Berkley Stud with 24 yearlings catalogued. Their resident sire Coats Choice is well-represented in their draft and across the Sale with a total of 11 yearlings catalogued.

Another South Island vendor with a large representation is White Robe Lodge, their draft is comprised of progeny by their resident sires Gallant Guru and Raise the Flag, the latter was the leading sire by average at the Karaka Select Sale with an average of $86,667.

There are a total of 54 stallions represented with progeny at the Sale including Alamosa, Bachelor Duke, Darci Brahma, Guillotine, Makfi, Mastercraftsman, No Excuse Needed, Nom du Jeu, O’Reilly, Paco Boy, Per Incanto, Pins, Rip Van Winkle, Shocking, Showcasing and many more.

There are also weanlings, two-year-olds, unraced stock, racehorses and broodmares catalogued for Sale.

Catalogues for New Zealand Bloodstock's South Island Sale will be sent out today and can be viewed online by clicking here.