Vendors Showcase Quality Drafts at Karaka 2020

There are many reasons why buyers from all around the world flock to Karaka every January.

They are drawn here by the achievements of graduates of previous New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales, who provide the very best form of advertising with top-quality performances in some of the biggest races and carnivals throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Another major attraction is New Zealand’s high-quality pedigrees and bloodlines, which have earned long-standing respect from around the thoroughbred world.

And last but certainly not least, the talents of New Zealand’s vendors are justifiably held in enormously high regard internationally.

New Zealand is well proven as a world-class nursery for young thoroughbred talent. Grown on nutrient-rich soils and in temperate climates, Kiwi-reared racehorses are given the best possible upbringing under the watchful eye of highly skilled horsepeople.

New Zealand’s vendors have a proven track record for producing high-class horses, and they will present superb drafts through an outstanding week of selling action in Karaka 2020.

Waikato Stud

The biggest name among New Zealand’s vendors is the world-renowned Waikato Stud, home of an elite stallion line-up headed by the champion Savabeel, and a blue-blooded broodmare band.

Waikato Stud has been leading vendor at Karaka for the last six years, and they topped the table last year by both aggregate ($16,115,000) and average.

Graduates of Waikato Stud’s Karaka yearling drafts in the last decade include the Group One winners Madison County (NZ) (Pins), Embellish (NZ) (Savabeel), Savvy Coup (NZ) (Savabeel), Hasahalo (NZ) (Savabeel), Brambles (NZ) (Savabeel), Diademe (NZ) (Savabeel) and Scarlett Lady (NZ) (Savabeel).

Karaka 2020 is the only Sale that will showcase Waikato Stud yearlings this season, with 100% of their high-class draft committed to the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.

Waikato will offer 73 yearlings, all in Book 1, including 36 sons or daughters of Savabeel. There are quality pedigrees throughout the draft, including Lots 1, 549, 583 and 635, who are all siblings to Group One winners.

Lot 190 is by Savabeel out of a full-sister to Waikato Stud’s triple Group One winner Daffodil (NZ) (No Excuse Needed). Lot 223, also by Savabeel, is out of a half-sister to four-time Group One winner Metal Bender (NZ) (Danasinga).

Cambridge Stud

Another major vendor offering 100% of their draft at Karaka is the highly esteemed Cambridge Stud. One of New Zealand’s most iconic farms, Cambridge has a proud history at Karaka – a legacy that new owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay are committed to carrying on.

Under previous owners Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, Cambridge Stud was leading vendor at New Zealand’s National Yearling Sales for 31 consecutive years. They finished second by aggregate in 2019.

Group One winners sold through Cambridge’s Karaka yearling drafts in the last decade include Tavago (NZ) (Tavistock), Tarzino (NZ) (Tavistock), Preferment (NZ) (Zabeel), O’Marilyn (O’Reilly) and Linky Dink (NZ) (Keeper).

Cambridge Stud will offer 53 yearlings in Book 1 of Karaka 2020. They include Lot 13, a colt by Australia’s super-sire Snitzel out of the multiple Group One winner Katie Lee (Pins).

Lot 18 is an Iffraaj half-brother to dual Group One winner (The) Bostonian (NZ) (Jimmy Choux).

Lot 50 is by the American Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, whose first yearlings have made a massive impact across the Tasman.

Haunui Farm

The third placegetter on aggregate last year was Haunui Farm, who have enjoyed an outstanding run of success with their graduates in recent seasons.

New Zealand’s reigning Horse of the Year Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) was a $57,500 purchase from Haunui’s draft at Karaka in 2016. She has won 10 Group One races and more than $3 million, and she made history as the first-ever winner of the Hawke’s Bay spring Triple Crown of the Group One Tarzino Trophy (1400m), Windsor Park Plate (1600m) and Livamol Classic (2040m).

During the Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington, Melody Belle won the Group One Empire Rose Stakes (1600m), then produced a huge finish for second in the Group One Mackinnon Stakes (2000m).

Another Haunui graduate is Jon Snow (NZ), by the stud’s outstanding shuttle stallion Iffraaj. He was a $65,000 purchase in 2015 and won the A$2 million Group One Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick.

Haunui’s other yearling graduates in the last decade include six Group Two winners, three Group Three winners and 11 Listed winners.

Haunui will offer 27 yearlings in Book 1 of Karaka 2020, including the first crop of new shuttle stallion Belardo.

A yearling in the draft that immediately stands out is Lot 86 – a Tavistock half-brother to Melody Belle.

Lot 337 is an Iffraaj filly out of Talaria (NZ) (O’Reilly), who was a stakes winner as a two-year-old and is a full-sister to the brilliant Group One Doncaster (1600m) winner Brutal (NZ) (O’Reilly).

Lot 380 is an Iffraaj colt who is a half-brother to three stakes winners and the current Group One performer Rondinella (NZ) (Ocean Park).

Pencarrow Stud

Pencarrow Stud were among the leading vendors by average at Karaka last year, coming second on the table with $200,000 from 14 yearlings sold. Aside from the table-toppers Waikato Stud at $226,972, they were the only other vendor to average $200,000 or more with at least three yearlings sold.

Founded by Sir Peter and the late Philip Vela, Pencarrow has a proud honour roll that features Group One-winning Karaka yearling graduates De Beers (NZ) (Quest for Fame), Darci Brahma (NZ) (Danehill), Hoeberg (NZ) (Maroof), Allez Suez (NZ) (Canny Lad), Linesman (NZ) (Touching Wood), Star Dancer (NZ) (Star Watch) and Tethys (NZ) (Kings Island).

Pencarrow will offer another select draft at Karaka 2020 with 18 well-related yearlings in Book 1, most of which are sons, daughters or siblings of black-type performers. Stallions represented in the draft include Snitzel, American Pharoah and Capitalist.

Buyers will again have access to these sensational dam lines in Pencarrow’s draft, Lot 43 is out of Lafleur (NZ) (Zabeel), who carried Pencarrow colours to Group Two victories in the Group Two Royal Stakes (2000m) and Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic (2000m). She has already been the dam of Pencarrow Racing’s stakes-winning mares Amaryllis (NZ) (Red Ransom) and Papilio (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice).

Lot 189 is out of Posavina (NZ) (Tiger Hill), who won the Group Three Lowland Stakes (2100m) for Pencarrow. She is the dam of stakes-placed Pencarrow mare Podravina (NZ) (Bel Esprit).

Lot 212 is a daughter of Pencarrow’s Group Two Travis Stakes (2000m) winner Rasa Lila (NZ) (Darci Brahma), who is a half-sister to Posavina.

Lot 373 is out of the Group One-placed Uberalles (NZ) (Giant’s Causeway), a daughter of Ethereal and half-sister to the dam of Supera and Eleonora.

Rich Hill Stud

Another vendor committing 100% of their yearling crop to Karaka this season, Rich Hill Stud has sold a series of top-class racehorses through previous Karaka drafts. Their Group One-winning graduates include Melbourne Cup hero Prince of Penzance (NZ) (Pentire), two-time New Zealand Horse of the Year (King) Mufhasa (NZ) (Pentire), plus Xtravagant (NZ) (Pentire), Zarita (NZ) (Pentire) and Ferlax (NZ) (Pentire).

Their 2020 consignment features 20 yearlings in Book 1, including the first crop of new stallion Vadamos.

Lot 169 is by that first-season sire out of Penthouse Princess (NZ) (Pentire), who is a full-sister to Prince of Penzance.

Lot 262 is another by Vadamos, this time out of the multiple Group One-winning mare Say No More (NZ) (Pentire).

Lots 30 and 271 are closely related to the multiple Group One winners (King) Mufhasa and (The) Bostonian (NZ) (Jimmy Choux).

Westbury Stud

Five Group One winners have been sold through Westbury’s Karaka yearling drafts in recent years. The leading stud finished fourth on aggregate at last year’s sale at just under $4 million.

Two-time New Zealand Horse of the Year Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi) heads that list, while two of them have won at the elite level this season – Julius (NZ) (Swiss Ace) won the Railway (1200m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, while Miami Bound (NZ) (Reliable Man) captured the VRC Oaks (2500m). The other two Group One-winning Westbury Karaka graduates in recent years have been Sofia Rosa (NZ) (Makfi) and Music Magnate (NZ) (Written Tycoon).

Westbury will offer 33 yearlings in Book 1 of Karaka 2020, including the first crops of yearlings by their new stallions Tarzino and Telperion.

Lot 145 is a half-brother to Julius by Reliable Man, while Lot 195 is a full-brother to the high-quality Hong Kong sprinter Little Giant (NZ) (Swiss Ace).

Windsor Park Stud

Windsor Park Stud has a well-earned reputation for producing quality performance, and that’s backed up by a recent Karaka yearling honour roll that features the champion So You Think (NZ) (High Chapparal), Derby winners Monaco Consul (NZ) (High Chaparral) and Military Move (NZ) (Volksraad), two-time Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) hero Aerovelocity (NZ) (Pins), and multiple Sydney Group One winner Norzita (NZ) (Thorn Park).

Windsor Park will offer 40 yearlings in Book 1 of Karaka 2020, including the yearling sale debuts of their new stallions Rageese, Turn Me Loose and Vanbrugh.

Lot 12 is a full-brother to Consensus (NZ) (Iffraaj), who was a Group One winner in New Zealand and won at Group Two level in Melbourne.

Lot 38 is out of the multiple Group Two winner and Group One placegetter Lady Kipling (NZ) (Savabeel), who is already the dam of this season’s Group Two Moonee Valley Fillies’ Classic (1600m) winner Fascino (NZ) (Charm Spirit).

Lot 454 is by Savabeel out of a full-sister to Merchant Navy (Fastnet Rock), who won the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington and the Group One Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot and now stands for a fee of A$55,000 at Coolmore Australia.

Little Avondale Stud

Wairarapa’s Little Avondale Stud has done the central districts proud with a long line of outstanding results. Their recent Karaka yearling graduates include Group One winners Yourdeel (NZ) (Dundeel), Dal Cielo (NZ) (Per Incanto), Saint Emilion (NZ) (Mastercraftsman), Viadana (NZ) (Towkay), Roman Emperor (NZ) (Montjeu) and Pasta Post (NZ) (Postponed).

Little Avondale will offer 22 yearlings in Book 1 of Karaka 2020, by a range of sires including their own Per Incanto, leading Kiwi stallions Savabeel and Tavistock, and notable Australians Astern, Pierro, Written Tycoon and Hinchinbook.

Lot 135 is by Tavistock and is out of a half-sister to one of that top-class sire’s standout performers – the Hong Kong Horse of the Year Werther (NZ).

Lot 165 is by Written Tycoon out of Pasadena Girl (NZ) (Savabeel), who won the Group One Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick as a two-year-old.

Lot 403 is by Per Incanto out of Xanadu (NZ) (Elusive City), who won the Group One New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) and Windsor Park Plate (1600m).

Inglewood Stud

The South Island’s colours will be flown with pride by a number of high-quality vendors, starting with Inglewood Stud in Canterbury.

While they haven’t had the numbers at Karaka of some of their North Island counterparts, Inglewood has put together a strong record of yearling graduate success.

Ugo Foscolo (NZ) (Zacinto) won the Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), while Speedy Grey (NZ) (Thorn Park) has won the Group Three Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1400m) in Hong Kong and placed in the Group One Stewards’ Cup (1600m).

Secret Allure (NZ) (Zacinto) has won the Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) and Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and placed in the Group 2 Royal Stakes (2000m).

Inglewood will offer seven yearlings in Book 1 of Karaka 2020 and another three in Book 2.

Lot 76 is by Caulfield Guineas (1600m) winner Shooting to Win and comes from the family of this year’s Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m) winner Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible) as well as the highly promising Kiwi galloper Weaponry (NZ) (Declaration of War).

Lot 266 is a full-brother to Secret Allure.

Lot 438 is out of a half-sister to last season’s Group One Golden Slipper (1200m) winner Kiamichi (Sidestep).

White Robe Lodge

White Robe Lodge is one of the most recognisable names in the South Island and New Zealand thoroughbred landscape.

While they are perennial leading vendors at New Zealand Bloodstock’s South Island Sale, they have also made their presence felt at Karaka.

Karaka graduate King Johny (NZ) (Seasoned Star) won the Group Three Manawatu Classic (2000m) and placed in the Group One New Zealand Derby (2400m) and the Group Two Tulloch Stakes (2000m) in Sydney. He also finished fourth in the Australian Derby.

Another Karaka graduate was Envoy (NZ) (Personal Escort), who won the Group One Wellington Cup (3200m).

Further back, the New Zealand Derby and Cox Plate hero The Phantom Chance (NZ) (Noble Bijou) and triple Group One winner The Phantom (NZ) (Noble Bijou) were also sold by White Robe at Karaka.

White Robe will offer three yearlings in Book 1 of Karaka 2020 and another three in Book 2.

Lot 500 is by White Robe’s promising sire Ghibellines out of Cherry Creek (Monashee Mountain), who won at Listed level and is the dam of multiple Group winner Coulee (NZ) (Gallant Guru).

Lot 664 is by Savabeel out of Include (NZ) (Gallant Guru), won three times at Listed level.

Beltana

Another vendor whose impact far surpasses their numbers, Beltana stole the show at Karaka 2017 with the sale-topper.

They earned $825,000 for a colt by O’Reilly out of Volkrose (NZ) (Volksraad). That high-priced yearling was a full-brother to Shamexpress (NZ) (O’Reilly), who won the Group One Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington and is embarking on a promising stud career.

Beltana sold Shamexpress himself for $130,000 at Karaka 2011, and their other Karaka graduates include Group One placegetters Antonio Giuseppe (NZ) (Shocking), Heidilicious (NZ) (Zabeel), O’Reilly Rose (NZ) (O’Reilly) and Red Chase (NZ) (Zamazaan).

Highflying (NZ) (Entrepreneur) won at Group Two level, while The Big Bopper (NZ) (Zabeel) was a Group Two winner.

Beltana will offer two yearlings in Book 1 of Karaka 2020.

Lot 528 is a Savabeel half-sister to Antonio Giuseppe. Lot 572, also by Savabeel, is out of Emily Monk (NZ) (O’Reilly). A winner of seven races, Emily Monk encountered setbacks that prevented her from entirely fulfilling her potential, but she nevertheless finished fourth in the Group One New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m).

Beaufort Downs

Up-and-coming South Island vendor Beaufort Downs will offer four well-bred yearlings in Book 1 of Karaka 2020, with another two in Book 2.

Lot 402 is a So You Think half-brother to Singapore stakes placegetter Ferocious (Sebring).

Lot 471 is by Vancouver and is a half-brother to the multiple Listed winner Theanswermyfriend (High Chaparral).