Photo: Trish Dunell
Fresh off the back of another record-breaking Ready to Run Sale, the cream of New Zealand’s yearling crop has been revealed for a landmark Karaka 2026, with a total of 1009 yearlings catalogued.
Karaka 2026 will take place at the Karaka Sales Centre from 25 - 29 January, the iconic week on the sales calendar marking the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand.
Featuring a refreshed format in line with the momentous occasion, Book 1 will be conducted across two days, composed of 567 horses. Book 2 will follow immediately with a further 281 yearlings, while a third session has also been re-introduced with 161 yearlings catalogued to sell on the Thursday for the new Karaka Summer Sale.
“Coming off the back off what was an incredible week for the Ready to Run Sale, there is sense of momentum building ahead of Karaka 2026,” commented NZB’s Managing Director Andrew Seabrook.
“The support and interest from people eager to attend in January, including those that have not been here in a few years is very encouraging, and a sign of how incredible the milestone of 100 National Yearling Sales is.
“Auction houses are renowned for claiming they have assembled their best yearling catalogue, but I’m confident that rings true this year given the increased vendor support, the smaller numbers catalogued and tough selection decisions, which naturally has increased the quality across the board.
“We’re also incredibly proud of the New Zealand-bred and Karaka graduates over the last twelve months, as they just continue to get results and prove themselves wherever they race.”
New Zealand’s climate and pristine countryside provide a natural advantage as a breeding ground of thoroughbred excellence, and blockbuster performances by Kiwi-bred horses on major stages across Australasia and Asia in recent times have given ample reason for buyers from around the world to converge on Karaka in January.
In the history of the 100 years of the National Yearling Sale, many legends of the racetrack have emerged. Among them the titans Phar Lap (NZ), Rising Fast (NZ), Tulloch (NZ), Dulcify (NZ), Octagonal (NZ) and So You Think (NZ). The pedigrees contained in the catalogues for Karaka 2026 have all the right credentials for many more names to be added to that list.
The week of Karaka 2026 is set to kick off in style at Ellerslie Racecourse on Saturday 24 January with the famous TAB Karaka Millions raceday, now worth more than $5 million in prizemoney and headlined by the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) for graduates.
That will be followed by Book 1, which runs from Sunday 25 January to Monday 26 January with selling starting at 10am each day. Book 2 will start at 10am on Tuesday 27 January while the Karaka Summer Sale will take place from 11am on Thursday 29 January.
“The new Karaka Summer Sale is a fresh addition to the week, we’ve committed a variety of resources for it, and it has been supported by a number of top vendors,” added Seabrook.
“We look forward to seeing everyone back at Karaka to celebrate the 100th National Yearling Sale, and of course to view an incredible line up of yearlings. If there was ever a year to ensure you’re at Karaka, this is it.”
All yearlings purchased at Karaka 2026 are eligible for the Karaka Millions Series including the new NZB Mega Maiden Series which sees horses racing for an additional $1m in bonuses across 40 maiden races each season in New Zealand. The Karaka Summer Sale is further boosted by a new $200,000 Karaka Summer Sale bonus for yearlings purchased this year. For the first Karaka Summer Sale graduate home in both the 2027 $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO and 2028 $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO, $100,000 will be split evenly between the vendor and purchaser.
The catalogues for Karaka 2026 can be viewed online at www.nzb.co.nz, or downloaded on the Equineline app for tablets or Thoroughworks app for mobile, with physical copies set to arrive in mailboxes soon.
Online bidding is available for all prospective purchasers via bidonline.nzb.co.n z, plus an extensive online catalogue via www.nzb.co.nz that will host pedigrees, parade videos and photos, updates, and important information to assist buying decisions.
All prospective buyers are welcome to attend the on-farm parades, with the schedule to be announced soon. NZB and NZ-based agents are also available to inspect on your behalf should you require a head start on inspections and evaluations.
International buyers wishing to physically attend Karaka 2026 can enquire about accommodation options and travel assistance by emailing travel@nzb.co.nz.
To request a catalogue or for general sale information, contact info@nzb.co.nz or call +64 9 298 0055. For bloodstock enquiries, contact NZB Bloodstock Sales Manager Kane Jones on kane.jones@nzb.co.nz or call +64 27 274 4985.
SALE SCHEDULE:
TAB Karaka Millions Raceday: Saturday 24 January at Ellerslie
Book 1 Sale: Sunday 25 & Monday 26 January at Karaka
Book 2 Sale: Tuesday 27 January at Karaka
Karaka Summer Sale: Thursday 29 January at Karaka
National Online Yearling Sale: April (date tbc) on gavelhouse Plus
