The atmosphere was electric during the final session of Book 1 at Karaka 2023, with a late flurry of bidding setting the sale ring alight.
At the conclusion of selling, the total turnover reached $70,063,000. The average and median rose to $151,980 and $130,000 respectively, while the clearance rate climbed to 79%.
“It was a great start to the week naming the sale auditorium after Sir Patrick Hogan, which set the scene for a strong three days,” commented NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook.
“All the big guns were here. It was fantastic to see the Australian spend up by $11.5 million and tremendous to have them back.
“There is still work to be done and the nice horses in Book 2 are going to be very hard to buy. There are plenty of kiwis who will be looking to buy and I believe Book 2 will provide some good opportunities for them,” he said.
The leading purchaser by aggregate at the end of Book 1, for the eighteenth consecutive year, was none other than king of the Karaka ring David Ellis. The Te Akau Racing principal purchased 27 yearlings for a total of $6,115,000 and an average spend of $226,481.
Ellis left his best until last, with enough fuel in his tank to spend $1,000,000 on what he considered to be the ‘filly of the Sale’.
Lot 586, by Fastnet Rock out of Test the World (NZ), was purchased from Gordon Cunningham’s Curraghmore draft.
“She was the best filly I have seen since 1988. She had a beautiful pedigree out of a mare who had a lot of speed.”
“I was not going home having done all of this work without this beautiful filly. We are so happy that we finally won and we can take her home.”
“I’ve bought some pretty good fillies over the years, Avantage of course was by the same sire. I have had a lot of luck out of this Sale with fillies I have really liked.
“The quality this year was extremely high and the breeders have done an excellent job. They’ve had a great growing season this year and I think there will be some excellent horses that come out of this sale in a few years’ time.
Gordon Cunningham was thrilled by the result, which topped off a standout Book 1 session for the renowned horseman.
“It was a great price for a gorgeous filly. I’m thrilled for David Ellis and his owners and wish them the best of luck.”
“Curraghmore and our clients have had a brilliant week. I’m thankful to all our staff for their work and commitment to presenting our horses to the highest standard.
“I’m very proud of what they achieved and to cap it off with a million dollar filly has made it even more rewarding,” Cunningham said.
The second highlight of the day came when Laguna Partnership, Barry Lee Bloodstock and John Sargent Racing purchased Lot 616 for $625,000. The filly by first season sire Super Seth out of Valpolicella (NZ) descends from one of Haunui Farm’s foundation families.
Sydney-based trainer John Sargent identified her as one of the fillies on the complex.
“Eion Moses, who has been in the game a long time, wanted to purchase the best-bred filly from the Sale. It’s clear she has the residual value to go to stud and we’re very happy to get her for that price.”
“Super Seth’s progeny look really good for a first season sire. That’s a gamble you take but the residual value found in that family is hard to get into,” Sargent said.
Waikato Stud claimed the leading vendor by aggregate table for the second consecutive year at the end of Book 1, selling 52 yearlings for a total turnover of $7,742,500.
Studmaster Mark Chittick was thrilled by the results, as well as the reception of Waikato Stud’s first season sire Super Seth.
“The highlight of the Sale for us was how successful Super Seth’s progeny sold. Obviously, you take on a big risk when you bring these colts to the farm. There is no doubt about it, he was a phenomenal racehorse with a massive pricetag.”
“These stallions are key to our business and the breeding industry. It’s a big hill to climb but I’m glad they were accepted by the buying bench.”
“I think all of the vendors left no stone unturned, there was a great vibe leading into the Sale when the sun was out. I think we can all be very proud by what we achieved,” Chittick said.
The leading vendor by average at the end of Book 1 was Brent and Cherry Taylor’s Trelawney Stud, who sold 100 percent of their offerring in Book 1. The nursery sold 12 yearlings for an average spend of $248,333. This was highlighted by Lot 294, a Too Darn Hot colt (ex Lady Sayyida) who was purchased for $750,000 by Cameron Cooke Bloodstock on Day Two.
To enquire about Passed Lots contact Regan Donnison on +64 21 512 466 or email regan.donnison@nzb.co.nz or Kane Jones on +64 27 274 4985 or email kane.jones@nzb.co.nz.
Book 2 commences tomorrow, Wednesday 1 February, with the first of three sessions beginning at 11AM each day of selling.
Catch the highlights and Lot-by-Lot footage from Book 1 online.
View the full results of Book 1 Results here.
Book 1 Statistics (at end of selling)
| 2023 BOOK 1 TOTAL | 2022 BOOK 1 TOTAL | 2021 BOOK 1 TOTAL | 2020 BOOK 1 TOTAL | |
| AGGREGATE | $70,063,000 | $63,127,500 | $50,778,000 | $67,130,000 |
| AVERAGE | $151,980 | $146,808 | $123,248 | $138,698 |
| MEDIAN | $130,000 | $100,000 | $95,000 | $107,500 |
| CLEARANCE | 79% | 77% | 80.47% | 79% |
| CATALOGUED | 644 | 636 | 579 | 677 |
| SOLD | 461 | 430 | 412 | 484 |
| TOP LOT | Lot 586 Fastnet Rock – Test the World (B.F) $1,000,000 | Lot 161 Savabeel – Chandelier (B.C) $1,000,000 | Lot 94 Zoustar – Scintillula (B.F) $800,000 | Lot 155 Pierro – Our Squeezer (B. or Br.C) $900,000 |
Book 1 Top Lots Day Three
| Lot | Breeding | Vendor | Purchaser | Price |
| 586 | Fastnet Rock / Test the World B.F | Curraghmore | Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) (Te Akau) | $1,000,000 |
| 616 | Super Seth / Valpolicella B.F | Haunui Farm | Laguna Partnership / Barry Lee Bloodstock / John Sargent Racing (New South Wales) | $625,000 |
| 488 | Written Tycoon / Save the Date Ch.F | Cambridge Stud | Forsman Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock / Bevan Smith Bloodstock (New South Wales) | $460,000 |
| 505 | Per Incanto / Sharvasti Br.C | Little Avondale Stud | KPW Bloodstock (Queensland) | $450,000 |
| 621 | Deep Field / Via Veneto B.C | Beaufort Downs | The Hong Kong Jockey Club (Hong Kong) | $450,000 |
| 507 | Zoustar / Shenandoah B.C | Wentwood Grange | Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) (Te Akau) | $400,000 |
| 632 | Deep Field / Waruna BB.C | Carlaw Park | Jamie Richards Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock (Hong Kong) | $400,000 |
| 546 | Tivaci / Splitsecond B.F | Waikato Stud | KPW Bloodstock (Queensland) | $350,000 |
| 560 | Savabeel / Style by Design BB.F | Waikato Stud | Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) (Te Akau) | $350,000 |
| 518 | Spirit of Boom / Sienna Rose B.C | Cambridge Stud | Proven Thoroughbreds / Mr S O’Dea / Hoysted Racing (New South Wales) | $330,000 |
| 545 | Proisir / Spirit of Sandford B.C | Landsdowne Park | Mr WK Choy / Mr P Wong (Hong Kong) | $330,000 |
Book 1 Top Lots Overall
| Lot | Breeding | Vendor | Purchaser | Price |
| 586 | Fastnet Rock / Test the World B.F | Curraghmore | Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) (Te Akau) | $1,000,000 |
| 294 | Too Darn Hot / Lady Sayyida B.C | Trelawney Stud | Cameron Cooke Bloodstock (Victoria) | $750,000 |
| 59 | Savabeel / Bayrock B.C | Windsor Park Stud | Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) (Te Akau) | $625,000 |
| 616 | Super Seth / Valpolicella B.F | Haunui Farm | Laguna Partnership / Barry Lee Bloodstock / John Sargent Racing (New South Wales) | $625,000 |
| 97 | Savabeel / Chiaretta B.F | Elsdon Park | Forsman Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock / Bevan Smith Bloodstock (Waikato) | $600,000 |
| 344 | Pierro / Meleka Belle B.F | Haunui Farm | Mr T Stakemire (New South Wales) | $500,000 |
| 488 | Written Tycoon / Save the Date Ch.F | Cambridge Stud | Forsman Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock / Bevan Smith Bloodstock (New South Wales) | $460,000 |
| 189 | Vadamos / Floramour B.F | Curraghmore | Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock (New South Wales) | $450,000 |
| 196 | Pierro / Forever Loved B.F | Curraghmore | Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock (New South Wales) | $450,000 |
| 505 | Per Incanto / Sharvasti Br.C | Little Avondale Stud | KPW Bloodstock (Queensland) | $450,000 |
| 621 | Deep Field / Via Veneto B.C | Beaufort Downs | The Hong Kong Jockey Club (Hong Kong Jockey Club) | $450,000 |
Book 1 Leading Purchasers by Aggregate
| Purchaser | Bought | Aggregate | Average | Top Price | Top Lot |
| Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) (Te Akau) | 27 | $6,115,000 | $226,481 | $1,000,000 | 586 |
| KPW Bloodstock (Queensland) | 11 | $3,115,000 | $283,182 | $450,000 | 505 |
| Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock (New South Wales) | 11 | $2,880,000 | $261,818 | $450,000 | 189 |
| Go Racing (Auckland) | 11 | $1,935,000 | $175,909 | $325,000 | 363 |
| Ciaron Maher Racing (Victoria) | 12 | $1,905,000 | $158,750 | $300,000 | 608 |
| The Hong Kong Jockey Club (Hong Kong) | 5 | $1,470,000 | $294,000 | $450,000 | 621 |
| John O’Shea Racing / Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) (Hong Kong) | 8 | $1,360,000 | $170,000 | $330,000 | 41 |
| Mr RA James / Mr R Wellwood (Waikato) | 7 | $1,320,000 | $188,571 | $260,000 | 391 |
| Wexford Stables (Waikato) | 9 | $1,260,000 | $140,000 | $220,000 | 385 |
| Jamie Richards Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock (Hong Kong) | 5 | $1,225,000 | $245,000 | $400,000 | 632 |
Book 1 Leading Vendor by Aggregate
| Vendor | Entries | Sold | Aggregate | Average | Top Price | Top Lot |
| Waikato Stud | 62 | 52 | $7,742,500 | $148,894 | $400,000 | 210 |
| Cambridge Stud | 46 | 37 | $5,925,000 | $160,135 | $460,000 | 488 |
| Curraghmore | 27 | 23 | $5,625,000 | $244,565 | $1,000,000 | 586 |
| Wentwood Grange | 35 | 25 | $3,635,000 | $145,400 | $400,000 | 507 |
| Carlaw Park | 29 | 24 | $3,510,000 | $146,250 | $400,000 | 632 |
| Little Avondale Stud | 29 | 20 | $3,360,000 | $168,000 | $450,000 | 505 |
| Haunui Farm | 33 | 19 | $3,280,000 | $172,632 | $625,000 | 616 |
| Westbury Stud | 46 | 26 | $3,255,000 | $125,192 | $240,000 | 104 |
| Windsor Park Stud | 30 | 18 | $3,150,000 | $175,000 | $625,000 | 59 |
| Trelawney Stud | 15 | 12 | $2,980,000 | $248,333 | $750,000 | 294 |
Book 1 Leading Vendor by Average (three or more sold)
| Vendor | Entries | Sold | Average | Aggregate | Top Price | Top Lot |
| Trelawney Stud | 15 | 12 | $248,333 | $2,980,000 | $750,000 | 294 |
| Curraghmore | 27 | 23 | $244,565 | $5,625,000 | $1,000,000 | 586 |
| The Oaks Stud | 10 | 7 | $182,857 | $1,280,000 | $375,000 | 49 |
| Lyndhurst Farm | 4 | 4 | $181,250 | $725,000 | $260,000 | 113 |
| Elsdon Park | 16 | 13 | $176,923 | $2,300,000 | $600,000 | 97 |
| Windsor Park Stud | 30 | 18 | $175,000 | $3,150,000 | $625,000 | 59 |
| Haunui Farm | 33 | 19 | $172,632 | $3,280,000 | $625,000 | 616 |
| Hallmark Stud | 16 | 11 | $169,318 | $1,862,500 | $340,000 | 107 |
| Little Avondale Stud | 29 | 20 | $168,000 | $3,360,000 | $450,000 | 505 |
| Ardsley Stud | 7 | 4 | $167,500 | $670,000 | $275,000 | 84 |
Book 1 Leading Sires by Average (three or more sold)
| Sire | Entries | Sold | Average | Aggregate | Top Price | Top Lot |
| Pierro | 6 | 5 | $352,000 | $1,760,000 | $500,000 | 344 |
| Too Darn Hot* | 6 | 4 | $315,000 | $1,260,000 | $750,000 | 294 |
| Written Tycoon | 6 | 6 | $260,833 | $1,565,000 | $460,000 | 488 |
| Zoustar | 4 | 3 | $253,333 | $760,000 | $400,000 | 507 |
| Deep Field | 6 | 5 | $252,000 | $1,260,000 | $450,000 | 621 |
| Savabeel | 39 | 31 | $233,710 | $7,245,000 | $625,000 | 59 |
| Justify | 7 | 4 | $223,750 | $895,000 | $300,000 | 418 |
| Per Incanto | 28 | 17 | $210,000 | $3,570,000 | $450,000 | 505 |
| Proisir | 19 | 19 | $188,947 | $3,590,000 | $330,000 | 545 |
| Pride of Dubai | 3 | 3 | $171,667 | $515,000 | $250,000 | 213 |
*First season sire
Book 1 Leading First Season Sires by Average (three or more sold)
| Sire | Entries | Sold | Average | Aggregate | Top Price | Top Lot |
| Too Darn Hot | 6 | 4 | $315,000 | $1,260,000 | $750,000 | 294 |
| Super Seth | 43 | 33 | $160,758 | $5,305,000 | $625,000 | 616 |
| Microphone | 5 | 5 | $156,000 | $780,000 | $200,000 | 399 |
| Alabama Express | 3 | 3 | $148,333 | $445,000 | $220,000 | 536 |
| Magna Grecia | 5 | 3 | $116,667 | $350,000 | $170,000 | 533 |
| Ten Sovereigns | 5 | 3 | $115,000 | $345,000 | $160,000 | 78 |
