The catalogue for New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2021 National Weanling Sale at Karaka features progeny by an outstanding range of stallions, including rising stars whose early sons and daughters are set to shine in the coming seasons, superior performers with limited chances remaining to access their progeny, and everything in between.
Proven Sires
Contributer (IRE)
A multiple Group One-winning son of High Chaparral, Contributer stands at Mapperley Stud for a 2021 service fee of $22,000 – more than double his $10,000 service fee last spring.
From just 41 runners, Contributer has so far had 17 winners including two at stakes level. The headline act has been star Sydney three-year-old Lion’s Roar (NZ), who stormed to victory in the Group One Randwick Guineas (1600m) before placing in the Group One Australian Derby (2400m) and finishing fourth in the Group One Rosehill Guineas (2000m). Bought for $65,000 from Book 2 of Karaka 2019, Lion’s Roar has earned more than A$1 million in stakes.
Contributer filly Llanacord (NZ) won the Group Two Lowland Stakes (2000m), then placed in the Group One New Zealand Oaks (2400m). Trained by Stephen Nickalls, who shares ownership with his mother and stepfather Dianne and Kevin Hopson, Llanacord has earned $99,000 in stakes. She cost just $15,000 from Book 2 of Karaka 2019.
Lily’s Lady (NZ) has placed at Group Two level, while Follow Your Dreams (NZ) and Miss Dixie (NZ) have been Listed placegetters.
Contributer features in the National Weanling Sale as the sire of Lot 31 – a colt out of Tavy Two Step (NZ) (Tavistock), from the family of Group One winners Spartacus (Danehill), Blazing Speed (Dylan Thomas) and Laganore (Fastnet Rock).
Darci Brahma (NZ)
A blue-blooded son of Danehill and Group One winner Grand Echezeaux (NZ) (Zabeel), from the exceptional Pencarrow Stud family of the likes of Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm), Romanee Conti (NZ) (Sir Tristram), Burgundy (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) and more than a dozen other stakes winners, Darci Brahma (NZ) himself was a $1.1 million purchase at Karaka as a yearling in 2004.
Four years, 10 wins and five Group One victories later, Darci Brahma retired to The Oaks Stud, where he stands for a service fee of $15,000.
He is a six-time champion sire in Singapore, a two-time leading New Zealand sire of three-year-olds, and has finished in the top three on the New Zealand premiership in six of the last eight seasons.
From 674 runners, Darci Brahma has sired 484 winners including 53 individual black-type winners. He has sired 11 Group One winners, including the likes of champion Kiwi three-year-old Catalyst (NZ), classic-winning fillies Gust of Wind (NZ), Risque (NZ), Artistic (NZ) and Kahma Lass (NZ), and elite Hong Kong sprinter D B Pin (NZ).
Darci Brahma is the sire of Lot 39 in the National Weanling Sale catalogue – a colt out of Wafer (NZ) (Alamosa), whose four wins included the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m).
Iffraaj (GB)
Superb stallion Iffraaj ceased shuttling to New Zealand in 2019, meaning this is his final crop of weanlings in this part of the world.
The former Haunui Stud sire made a massive impression in his 12 seasons on these shores. Among his southern hemisphere-bred progeny, he has sired 331 winners from 559 runners with 28 individual stakes winners.
His star performers include Group One winners Turn Me Loose (NZ), Jon Snow (NZ) and Wyndspelle (NZ), who are all now themselves standing at stud in New Zealand, along with New Zealand Derby (2400m) and Rosehill Guineas (2000m) hero Gingernuts (NZ).
Two members of Iffraaj’s final New Zealand crop will go through the ring during the National Weanling Sale:
- Lot 11, a filly out of Rockelle (Rock of Gibraltar), who is a half-sister to Group One winner Calveen (NZ) (Canny Lad) and stakes winners Kosi Bay (NZ) (Spinning World), Fireworks (Snitzel) and Striker (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy).
- Lot 15, a filly whose winning dam Sand’ior (NZ) (Scaredee Cat) is a half-sister to Group One performer The Big Chill (NZ) (O’Reilly) and closely related to the multiple Group Two winner (I Am) Coldplay (NZ) (Savabeel).
Ocean Park (NZ)
Cox Plate winner Ocean Park (NZ) has gone from strength to strength in the last few seasons, even edging out his champion fellow Waikato Stud stallion Savabeel to be the leading New Zealand sire by combined New Zealand and Australian earnings in 2019-20.
From 294 runners, Ocean Park has sired 180 winners including 14 individual stakes winners. He has sired Group One performers from sprint distances all the way up to 3200 metres:
- As well as winning the Group One All Aged Stakes (1400m), Tofane (NZ) collected a placing in last season’s Group One Galaxy (1100m).
- Kolding (NZ) has won 11 races including the Group One All Aged Stakes (1400m), Epsom Handicap (1600m) and George Main Stakes (1600m). He also won the inaugural running of the A$7.5m Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill.
- Ocean Billy (NZ) triumphed in the Group One Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie in early March of this year, while Rondinella (NZ) stormed home for a close second in the Group One Sydney Cup (3200m) a month later.
- Star of the Seas (NZ) has placed in the Group One Doncaster Handicap (1600m), Winx Stakes (1400m), Epsom Handicap (1600m) and George Main Stakes (1600m).
- Mongolianconqueror (NZ) was runner-up in the Group One New Zealand Derby (2400m), Another Dollar (NZ) placed in the Group One Queensland Oaks (2200m), Arrogant (NZ) was a close second in the Group One Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and Marine (NZ) finished a luckless third in the Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m).
There are four Ocean Park weanlings in the catalogue for the 2021 National Weanling Sale, including:
- Lot 32, a colt out of a half-sister to Group One winner Marky Mark (Makfi) and stakes-placed Aquilo (Snitzel).
- Lot 44, whose dam is a half-sister to Group One winner Shootoff (NZ) (Duelled).
Per Incanto (USA)
Little Avondale Stud’s Per Incanto is a prolific source of winners, currently topping premierships in both New Zealand and Hong Kong this season by number of wins.
Per Incanto has sired a total of 245 winners from 380 runners, with 19 individual stakes winners including Group One stars Shadows Cast (NZ), Santa Monica (NZ), Dal Cielo (NZ) and Bonham.
He is also the sire of rising star Sydney sprinter Lost and Running (NZ), who has won five of his six starts including a spectacular four-length romp in sizzling time at Randwick last Saturday.
Many of these results have come from seasons where Per Incanto’s service fee was only $5,000, but his performances have prompted a significant rise to $25,000 and a corresponding increase in the quality of his books of mares.
Two Per Incanto weanlings feature in the National Weanling Sale catalogue:
- Lot 80, a filly whose dam is a three-quarter-sister to the dam of Group One Queensland Oaks (2400m) winner Provocative (NZ) (Zabeel).
- Lot 104, a colt out of a half-sister to the multiple Singapore stakes winner Spanish Bay (Nadeem).
Proisir (AUS)
Outstanding performances up to the highest level on both sides of the Tasman have led to an increase in the service fee of Rich Hill Stud’s Proisir, rising from $9,000 last year to $12,500 in 2021.
Himself a Group Three winner and placed twice behind Dundeel (NZ) (High Chaparral) at Group One level as a three-year-old, Proisir has sired 58 winners from 112 runners to date. He has four stakes winners:
- Levante (NZ), who has scored dazzling come-from-behind victories in the Group Two Westbury Classic (1400m) and Listed Counties Bowl (1100m) this season. She also stormed home for a placing in the Group One Railway Stakes (1200m).
- Riodini (NZ), who won the Group Three Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) and placed in the Group One Levin Classic (1600m) before relocating to Sydney, where his placings include the Group One Epsom Handicap (1600m).
- Aimee’s Jewel (NZ) and Vitesse Bo (NZ) each won Group Three races at Riccarton in the spring, capturing the Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and War Decree Stakes (1600m) respectively.
- Two of Proisir’s other progeny, Feel the Rush (NZ) and Vancooga (NZ), both placed in the Group One New Zealand Oaks (2400m).
Five progeny of Proisir feature in the catalogue for the National Weanling Sale, including:
- Lot 26, a colt out of Sunrise Ruby (NZ) (Jimmy Choux), who is a placed daughter of the Group One winner A Touch of Ruby (NZ) (Pins). A Touch of Ruby is also half-sister to fellow Group One winner Loire (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice).
- Lot 76, whose dam Genus (NZ) (Zabeel) won two races and comes from the family of recent Listed winner Lady Maroal (NZ) (Power) and Group Two placegetter The Irishman (NZ) (Tavistock).
Sacred Falls (NZ)
The class of Sacred Falls (NZ) as a racehorse was immediately clear to see. He was an undefeated winner of the Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) on home soil, then later added elite-level triumphs in the George Main Stakes (1600m) and two consecutive editions of the iconic Doncaster Handicap (1600m).
Retiring to Waikato Stud, his excellence as a stallion has only started to be strongly felt since his untimely death from liver disease in 2019. He has left us wondering what might have been, and this is sadly his final crop of weanlings.
Sacred Falls has sired 58 winners from 125 runners to date, and a number of black-type performers have risen to prominence this season.
- Aegon (NZ) became his first Group One winner in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), along with victories in the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m), the Group Two Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m), and Sydney’s Group Two Hobartville Stakes (1400m).
- Icebath (NZ) has been a big-time performer in Sydney, producing massive performances for desperately close seconds in the Group One Doncaster Handicap (1600m) and the A$7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m).
- Impecunious (NZ) placed in the Group One Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill.
- Zee Falls (NZ) won the Group Three Wellington Stakes (1600m), ran second in the Group Two Waikato Guineas (2000m) and fourth in the Group Two Lowland Stakes (2000m).
- Full-sisters All Saints’ Eve (NZ) and All Hallows’ Eve (NZ) have both won Group Three races in New South Wales this season.
With limited opportunities remaining for buyers to get their hands on the progeny of Sacred Falls, the National Weanling Sale catalogue features four of his progeny, including:
- Lot 4, a colt out of Pink Bubbles (NZ) (Pins), whose dam Madame Echezeaux (NZ) (Montjeu) is a half-sister to multiple Group One winner and star sire Darci Brahma (NZ), along with four-time stakes winner and successful sire Burgundy (NZ).
- Lot 23, a close relative to the Irish champion Siskin (First Defence) and American five-time Grade One winner Close Hatches (First Defence). Close Hatches is also the dam of Kentucky Derby (2000m) placegetter Tacitus (Tapit).
Sweynesse (AUS)
Novara Park’s Sweynesse was New Zealand’s leading first season sire in 2019-20, and he is a close second behind Contributer in a tight race for second season honours in 2020-21.
The son of Lonhro was himself a Group Three winner and multiple Group One placegetter, and his progeny so far feature 14 winners from 43 runners. Bonita Aurelia (NZ), Only Words (NZ) and Brix (NZ) have all won at black-type level, while another three of his progeny have been stakes-placed.
There are four Sweynesse weanlings in the National Weanling Sale catalogue, including:
- Lot 8, whose dam is an unraced half-sister to New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Dijon Bleu (NZ) (Burgundy) and two other black-type performers.
- Lot 38, a colt who is a half-brother to the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) and Hong Kong Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1400m) placegetter Morethanlucky (NZ) (Per Incanto).
Tavistock (NZ)
Outstanding Cambridge Stud stallion Tavistock (NZ) died in late 2019, meaning this is his final crop of weanlings.
He boasted an extraordinary Derby record, winning the Victoria Derby (2500m) with Tarzino (NZ) and Johnny Get Angry (NZ), the Australian Derby (2400m) with Tavago (NZ), the Hong Kong Derby (2000m) with the multiple Group One winner and Hong Kong Horse of the Year Werther (NZ), and the Singapore Derby (2000m) with Infantry (NZ).
Volkstok’n’barrell (NZ) won the Group One Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and another three elite races in New Zealand, while Toffee Tongue (NZ) captured the Australasian Oaks (2000m).
Overall, Tavistock is the sire of 364 winners from 550 runners, with 28 of his progeny winning at stakes level.
There won’t be any more Tavistock weanlings after this season, and five of them will go through the Karaka sale ring during the 2021 National Weanling Sale, including:
- Lot 16, a filly out of a winning Snitzel mare who comes from the family of Group One winner Sea Siren (Fastnet Rock) and the quality racehorse and broodmare Lady Dehere (NZ) (Dehere) – dam of the recent Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) winner Lady Maroal (NZ) (Power).
- Lot 47, a filly who is closely related to the quality mare Valpolicella (NZ) (Red Ransom) and her four stakes-performed progeny, including the recent Group One Sydney Cup (3200m) placegetter Rondinella (NZ) (Ocean Park).
Rising Stars
Almanzor (FR)
Standing for a service fee of $30,000 at Cambridge Stud this season, Almanzor is fully booked for 2021, and his early progeny have made a massive impression.
His first yearlings have sold for up to $800,000 this season, and he averaged an impressive $193,571 with his first crop at Karaka 2021. He has also made the perfect start with his northern hemisphere progeny, siring his first winner with his very first runner in late April in France.
Almanzor himself was a racehorse of the highest class, crowned Champion 3YO Colt in Europe in 2016. His eight wins from 11 starts included defeats of star-studded Group One fields in the Prix du Jockey Club (2100m), Irish Champion Stakes (2000m) and Ascot Champion Stakes (2000m).
Buyers will have access to nine of his progeny during the National Weanling Sale, including:
- Lot 14, out of the Listed-placed Ruthless Lady (NZ) (Keeper), whose dam Lady Dehere (NZ) (Dehere) won at Group Two level and is the dam of three stakes winners – most recently the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) winner Lady Maroal (NZ) (Power) in late April. Lady Dehere is also a half-sister to multiple Group One winner Sea Siren (Fastnet Rock) and stakes winner and sire Oratorio (Stravinsky).
- Lot 91, from the family of Australian Group One winners Serenade Rose (Stravinsky) and Trekking (Street Cry), along with rising star staying mare Tralee Rose (NZ) (Tavistock).
Belardo (IRE)
Haunui Farm’s Belardo stands for a service fee of $10,000. He himself was a Group One performer at the ages of two, three and four, and his progeny have made a strong start in both hemispheres.
Belardo has sired 25 winners from 83 runners to date, with five individual stakes winners. Those include the Group winners Isabella Giles, Lullaby Moon and Elysium in the northern hemisphere, while Avonallo (NZ) has been an early headline act in New Zealand with a victory in the Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m) and a placing in the $1m Karaka Million 2YO (1200m).
Yearlings by Belardo sold strongly at Karaka 2021, fetching up to $380,000.
The National Weanling Sale catalogue features seven of Belardo’s progeny, including:
- Lot 19, closely related to Group One winners Headturner (Anabaa), O’Marilyn (O’Reilly) and Anacheeva (Anabaa), as well as this season’s Group Two-winning Sydney two-year-old O’President (Fastnet Rock).
- Lot 109, a colt whose dam is a full-sister to Group One winner Perlin (NZ) (Carnegie) and half-sister to the dams of multiple stakes winners including $1m Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) winner Hardline (NZ) (Showcasing).
Preferment (NZ)
Himself a $190,000 yearling purchase at Karaka, Preferment (NZ) was a top-quality racehorse who scored superb Group One triumphs in the Victoria Derby (2500m), Turnbull Stakes (2000m), Australian Cup (2000m) and Tancred Stakes (2400m).
Retiring to Brighthill Farm in 2017, his oldest progeny are now juveniles and expected to come into their own during their three-year-old seasons.
This could be the time to get involved with his weanling progeny, with three opportunities in the catalogue for the National Weanling Sale, including:
- Lot 37, a filly out of a winning daughter of Group One winner Insouciant (NZ) (Keeper), from the family of multiple other black-type performers including Group One stars Dorabella (NZ) (Postponed) and Media Sensation (I Am Invincible).
- Lot 112, who comes from the family of several stakes winners including the Group One Victoria Derby (2500m) hero Amalfi (Carnegie).
Time Test (GB)
A blue-blooded multiple Group winner, including in track-record time at Royal Ascot, Time Test stands at Little Avondale Stud for a service fee of $8,500.
His first crop of yearlings received an enthusiastic response at Karaka 2021, averaging $86,667 with a top price of $220,000.
Five of his progeny will go under the hammer in the National Weanling Sale, including:
- Lot 111, a colt who is a half-brother to the Group One Hong Kong Vase (2400m) placegetter Khaya (Librettist), from the family of Group One winner Bentley Biscuit (Peintre Celebre) and Group One winner and champion sire Thorn Park (Spinning World).
- Supplemental entry Lot 118, out of a half-sister to the Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) runner-up Bourbonaire (NZ) (Darci Brahma) and the stakes winners Jacksstar (NZ) (Zed) and Anniesstar (NZ) (Zed.
Vadamos (FR)
By the influential German stallion Monsun, Rich Hill Stud’s Vadamos was a high-class racehorse who has shown all the right signs through the early stages of his stud career.
The Group One Prix du Moulin (1600m) winner has sired 20 winners from his first northern hemisphere crop, including two black-type placegetters. He has also started on the right note in our part of the world, with two-year-old filly Art de Triomphe (NZ) winning at Riccarton in late April and looming as a leading contender for the upcoming Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) at the same venue.
Vadamos was a leading freshman sire in Books 1 and 2 of Karaka 2020, and his progeny continued to sell well a year later with nine yearlings fetching $100,000 or more.
Vadamos is the sire of four lots in the National Weanling Sale catalogue, including:
- Lot 33, from the high-class family of Grand Echezeaux (NZ) (Zabeel), Darci Brahma (NZ) (Danehill) and a multitude of other stakes performers.
- Lot 114, a colt descending from the high-class racemare and broodmare What Can I Say (NZ) (Khozaam).
There will also be a selection of progeny offered by Adelaide (1), Burgundy (1), Dalghar (1), Derryn (1), Dundeel (1), Echoes of Heaven (3), El Roca (1), Epaulette (1), Exosphere (2), Kermadec (1), Niagara (1), Rageese (1), Reliable Man (2), Rip Van Winkle (1), Rock Hero (1), Rubick (1), Satono Aladdin (3), Shocking (1), Shotting to Win (1), Showtime (1), Tivaci (1), Turn Me Loose (3) and What’s the Story (2).
The National Weanling Sale will take place at Karaka on Friday 14 May, with selling commencing at 11am. All supplementary lots will be sold following the last lot, with supplementary entries closing on Friday 7 May.
NZB and New Zealand-based agents will be available to inspect all catalogued weanlings on behalf of prospective buyers, with online bidding services also on offer for international and local buyers who are unable to physically attend the Sale. Register for NZB’s online bidding platform here.
Weanlings offered in the Sale will be eligible to enter in the lucrative Karaka Million Series featuring two $1 million races available for graduates as two and three-year-olds, plus the $100,000 CollinsonForex Karaka Cup for the duration of their career
