Karaka: The Value Sale of the World

With 47 graduates in the last six seasons blossoming from sale prices of $200,000 or less to Group One glory on the racetrack, Karaka has a strong claim to the title of the best-value yearling sale on the planet.

The standout example is Hong Kong legend Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock), who was bought for just $60,000 by Hermes Syndications from Highden Park’s draft at the 2014 Premier Sale.

He went on to establish himself as an all-time great of the Sha Tin turf, winning 20 of his 41 starts including eight at Group One level. He earned HK$106.2 million in stakes – the equivalent of NZ$20.4 million, which is 340 times his purchase price.

More recently, the 2020-21 season in Australia saw no fewer than five Group One triumphs in Australia by three-year-olds who were sourced at Karaka for $130,000 or less.

The A$2m Group One Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington was won by Johnny Get Angry (NZ) (Tavistock), who was a $50,000 purchase from Bradbury Park’s Book 1 draft at Karaka 2019.

The same Sale featured Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry), who was sold for $100,000 and went on to win the A$2m Group One Australian Derby (2400m) and A$500,000 Group One South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville, along with the A$150,000 Listed Tasmanian Derby (2200m) at Hobart.

Explosive Jack later also ventured to Brisbane and finished third in the A$600,000 Group One Queensland Derby (2400m), which was won by the $130,000 Karaka Book 1 purchase Kukeracha (NZ) (Night Of Thunder).

Lion’s Roar (NZ), who was secured by Champion Thoroughbreds for just $65,000 from Book 2, won last season’s A$1m Group One Randwick Guineas (1600m), along with placings in the Group One Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and Australian Derby.

But good value Karaka yearling purchases excelling in Australian three-year-old features is nothing new. Jon Snow (NZ) (Iffraaj), who was bought by co-trainer Andrew Forsman for $65,000 from the 2015 Select Sale, won the Australian Derby in April 2017 and eventually retired with more than $2 million in prize-money to his name in a 22-start, four-win career. A few years earlier, 2015 Victoria Derby winner Tarzino (NZ) (Tavistock) was bought for just $45,000 by Rick Connolly Bloodstock at the 2014 Select Sale.

Meanwhile, two-time New Zealand Horse of the Year Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) was famously purchased for $57,500 by Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis at the 2016 Premier Sale. She won 19 of her 41 starts, including a New Zealand record 14 Group One victories. She earned more than $4.2 million in stakes and later sold for another A$2.6 million as a broodmare prospect.

Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park) cost $170,000 at Karaka 2017 and has become one of Australian racing’s top earners, amassing more than A$6.4 million through his 33-start career to date. As well as three Group One victories, Kolding also won the inaugural A$7.5m Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill.

The full list of Group One winners in the last six seasons whose purchase price at Karaka was $200,000 or less:

• Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls), bought for $150,000 by Andrew Forsman from Waikato Stud’s draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2019. He has won five of his 12 starts and more than $1.16 million, headed by the Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1400m), the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) and Sydney’s Group Two Hobartville Stakes (1400m). 
• Aerovelocity (NZ) (Pins) was offered by Windsor Park Stud at the 2010 Premier Sale, where Paul O’Sullivan secured him for $120,000. He earned the equivalent of more than $7 million, winning 12 races including the Group One KrisFlyer International Sprint (1200m), Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) and two editions of the Hong Kong Sprint (1200m).
• Aloisia (NZ) (Azamour) was passed in with a $60,000 reserve at the 2016 Select Sale. The Group One Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield was the highlight of a career that earned over $800,000.
• Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road To Rock) was offered by Highden Park at the 2014 Select Sale, where Hermes Syndications bought him for just $60,000. Eight Group One triumphs later, he retired with earnings the equivalent of more than $20 million.
• Bonham (Per Incanto) was bought by Gary Harding for $160,000 from Little Avondale Stud in Book 1 of Karaka 2019. She won four of her six New Zealand starts including the Group One Levin Classic (1600m), earning a total of $185,500. She was later sold for A$1.6 million.
• Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi) is a graduate of Westbury Stud’s draft at the 2015 Premier Sale, where she was recruited by Baker Racing for $150,000. A two-time New Zealand Horse of the Year, she won seven of her 12 starts and $1.68 million in stakes. She won the Group One New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and Australian Oaks (2400m) in an all-conquering three-year-old season, then added the Group One Underwood Stakes (1800m) as a four-year-old.
• Chenille (NZ) (Pentire) was a $55,000 purchase by Chris Waller Racing from Longlands Stud at the 2013 Premier Sale. She was a Group One Auckland Cup (3200m) winner in 2017, earning $548,000 in a 27-start, nine-win career.
• Cool Aza Beel (NZ) (Savabeel) went through Fairdale Stud’s draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2019, where Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis bought him for $150,000. He raced six times for four wins, including the $1m Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) and Group One Sistema Stakes (1200m), and earned over $707,000 in stakes. He now stands at stud in New South Wales.
• Coventina Bay (NZ) (Shamexpress) became the most recent addition to this list with an irresistible burst out of the pack to take out this month’s $400,000 Group One Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa. Passed in at the 2017 Select Sale with a reserve of a mere $20,000, she has now won 10 of her 21 starts and more than $550,000.
• D B Pin (NZ) (Darci Brahma) was consigned by The Oaks Stud at the 2014 Premier Sale. Bought by John Foote Bloodstock for $200,000, he became a standout sprinter in Hong Kong, earning the equivalent of more than $4 million through a 22-start, six-win career. His biggest triumph came in the Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m), along with two runner-up finishes in the Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1200m).
• Danzdanzdance (Mastercraftsman) is the lowest-priced graduate on this list, bought for just $5000 from the draft of Blandford Lodge at the 2016 Select Sale. She won four races and more than $550,000, including Group One triumphs in the Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) and Zabeel Classic (2000m).
• Devise (NZ) (Darci Brahma) was passed in at the 2015 Premier Sale with a reserve of $175,000. Retained by The Oaks Stud, she won four races and $282,000, most notably the Group One Haunui Farm WFA Classic (1600m).
• Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry) was offered by Novara Park in Book 1 of Karaka 2019, and he was sold to Moody Racing for $100,000. He has so far won five of his 13 starts and more than $1.8 million, including a rare Derby treble in the Group One Australian Derby (2400m), Group One South Australian Derby (2500m) and Listed Tasmanian Derby (2200m), along with a third placing in the Group One Queensland Derby (2400m).
• Hasahalo (NZ) (Savabeel) caught the eye of syndicators Go Racing at the 2016 Premier Sale, where she was bought for $110,000 from the draft of Waikato Stud. She won the Group One New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and earned a total of $426,000, later selling for $670,000 on Gavelhouse as a broodmare prospect.
• Inspirational Girl (NZ) (Reliable Man) went through Jamieson Park’s draft at the 2017 Premier Sale and was knocked down to John Chalmers Bloodstock for $190,000. Her 14-start career has so far featured nine wins, headed by the Group One Railway Stakes (1600m), and she has earned more than A$1.1 million.
• Johnny Get Angry (NZ) (Tavistock), who was a $50,000 purchase from Bradbury Park’s Book 1 draft at Karaka 2019, won the A$2 million Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington the following year.
• Jon Snow (NZ) (Iffraaj), who was bought by co-trainer Andrew Forsman for $65,000 from the 2015 Select Sale, won the Australian Derby in April 2017 and eventually retired with more than $2 million in prize-money to his name in a 22-start, four-win career.
• Julius (NZ) (Swiss Ace) was a $44,000 purchase from the 2013 Select Sale. He made a real impact in an injury-curtailed career, winning nine of his 23 starts and more than $445,000. The pinnacle was his victory in the Group One Sistema Railway (1200m) at Ellerslie in January 2020.
• Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park) cost $170,000 at Karaka 2017 and has become one of Australian racing’s top earners, amassing more than A$6.4 million through his 33-start career to date. As well as three Group One victories, Kolding also won the inaugural A$7.5m Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill.
• Kukeracha (NZ) (Night Of Thunder) was bought by Mulcaster Bloodstock for $130,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2019 and won last year’s Group One Queensland Derby (2400m). He has earned A$651,245 in his 18-start career to date.
• Ladies First (NZ) (Dylan Thomas) was offered by Blandford Lodge at the 2014 Select Sale, where she failed to meet her $30,000 reserve. Later bought for $8000 by Humphrey O’Leary from the National Weanling, Broodmare and Mixed Bloodstock Sale, Ladies First won the Group One Auckland Cup (3200m) in 2018. She won nine of her 26 starts and more than $513,000.
• Lion’s Roar (NZ), who was recruited by Champion Thoroughbreds for just $65,000 from Book 2, won last season’s A$1m Group One Randwick Guineas (1600m), along with placings in the Group One Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and Australian Derby. He has earned more than A$1.1 million in a 15-start, four-win career.
• Madison County (NZ) (Pins) was selected by Michael Wallace for the China Horse Club at the 2017 Select Sale, selling for $36,000. He won four of his 11 starts and more than $1.05 million, including the Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and Levin Classic (1600m), as well as a second placing in the Australian Derby.
• Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) cost Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis just $57,500 at the 2016 Premier Sale. She won 19 of her 41 starts, including a New Zealand record 14 Group One victories, and was a two-time New Zealand Horse of the Year. She earned more than $4.2 million in stakes and later sold for another A$2.6 million as a broodmare prospect. 
• Miami Bound (NZ) (Reliable Man) went through Westbury Stud’s draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2018 and was bought by O’Brien Thoroughbreds for $120,000. She won the Group One VRC Oaks (2500m) and has earned over A$1.8 million.
• Mighty Boss (Not A Single Doubt) was a $180,000 purchase from the 2016 Premier Sale. The Group One Caulfield Guineas (1600m) was the highlight of a 17-start career that netted A$1.27 million in stakes.
• Montoya’s Secret (High Chaparral) fetched $130,000 when offered by Phoenix Park at the 2015 Premier Sale. She won the Group One Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and earned over A$430,000. She was later bought by Coolmore Australia for A$875,000.
• Nicoletta (NZ) (Savabeel) was secured by Bruce Perry for $90,000 from Goodwood Stud’s draft at the 2015 Select Sale. She won five races headed by the Group One New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), earning $389,350.
• Ocean Billy (NZ) (Ocean Park) fell short of his $20,000 reserve when he was offered by Kirkwall Thoroughbreds at the 2017 Select Sale. He is a seven-race winner and has earned over $550,000, including Group One glory in the Auckland Cup (3200m).
• On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau) was recruited by Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis for $90,000 in Book 1 of Karaka 2020. He has had nine starts for five wins and three second placings, triumphing in last season’s $1m Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) and Group One Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). His career earnings currently stand at $814,450.
• On The Rocks (NZ) (Alamosa) was selected by Paul Moroney for $40,000 from the 2016 Select Sale draft of Wellfield Lodge. He has earned over $520,000 in his 37-start career, most notably winning the Group One Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) in 2019.
• Princess Jenni (NZ) (High Chaparral) was a $120,000 purchase from Phoenix Park at the 2017 Premier Sale. From 26 starts, she has won six races and over A$1 million in stakes, including the Group One Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville in 2019.
• Rock On Wood (NZ) (Redwood) made just $26,000 when he went through the ring during the 2016 Festival Sale, but he earned $336,100 in a 19-start career. His eight victories included the Group One Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Trentham.
• Saint Emilion (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) had a reserve of $80,000 and was passed in when offered by Little Avondale Stud at the 2013 Select Sale. The classy grey won 15 races and more than $500,000, including the Group One New Zealand Stakes (2000m).
• Savvy Coup (NZ) (Savabeel) was a $65,000 purchase from Waikato Stud’s draft at the 2016 Premier Sale. Her 16-start career yielded six wins and $669,569, with Group One triumphs in the New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and Livamol Classic (2040m). She later sold for A$1 million to Coolmore’s Tom Magnier and James Bester Bloodstock.
• Sentimental Miss (NZ) (Reliable Man) was a bargain buy for Go Racing at $40,000 during the 2017 Select Sale. She earned over $300,000, triumphing in the Group One New Zealand Oaks (2400m), and was later bought for A$470,000 as a broodmare prospect.
• Shadows Cast (NZ) (Per Incanto) was passed in at the 2014 South Island Sale with a reserve of only $10,000. He has won 11 races and more than $585,000, with three stakes wins including the Group One Thorndon Mile (1600m).
• Sierra Sue (NZ) (Darci Brahma), who was passed in at Karaka 2018 before later selling for just $2000 at the 2019 Karaka May Sale, stepped up to the big time in this season’s A$1m Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. She has now had 20 starts for eight wins and over A$1.1 million.
• Sky Field (Deep Field), who was bought for $175,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2018, flew the Karaka flag in Sha Tin’s Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) in November. The high-class performer has had 19 starts for six wins, eight placings and more than HK$26.7 million in stakes.
• Sword Of Osman (NZ) was offered by Trelawney Stud at the 2017 Premier Sale, where David Ellis bought him for $165,000. He had 12 starts for five wins and $289,200, with his career pinnacle coming in the Group One Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie.
• Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) was passed in with a $70,000 reserve at the 2016 Premier Sale, then returned for the Ready to Run Sale, where David Ellis bought him for $230,000. The super-talented chestnut had just 14 starts for seven wins and more than $1.5 million. His wins included the Group One BCD Group Sprint (1400m) and Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m), while he placed in another three Group Ones including the Cox Plate (2040m).
• The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) had a reserve of $150,000 when he was passed in at the 2017 Premier Sale. He has gone on to earn $2.3 million in a 38-start career to date, winning the Group One Thorndon Mile (1600m) along with placings in the Caulfield Cup (2400m), Sydney Cup (3200m) and two editions of the Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m). He has also finished fourth and fifth in the last two Melbourne Cups.
• Tiptronic (NZ) (O’Reilly) was bought by Richardson Racing for $100,000 at the 2015 Premier Sale. His 47-start career has so far featured eight wins including the Group One Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and Zabeel Classic (2000m), earning $772,971.
• Ugo Foscolo (NZ) (Zacinto) was picked out by Bruce Perry and cost $50,000 at the 2015 Select Sale. He won six races and $384,962, including the Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m).
• Volkstok’n’barrell (NZ) (Tavistock) cost just $50,000 at the 2013 Select Sale. He earned over $1.4 million, capturing the Group One Rosehill Guineas (2000m), Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m), New Zealand Stakes (2000m) and WFA Classic (1600m), along with placings in the New Zealand Derby (2400m) and Australian Derby (2400m).
• Wyndspelle (NZ) (Iffraaj) was a $75,000 purchase by Phill Cataldo at the 2015 Select Sale. He was a Group One performer on both sides of the Tasman, winning the Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) and placing in another seven elite races including the Cantala Stakes (1600m). He earned $695,116.
• Yourdeel (NZ) (Dundeel) was bought for $100,000 by Chris Rutten in Book 1 of Karaka 2018. He earned $375,600 in a brilliant two-year-old season, winning the Group One Sistema Stakes (1200m) and Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) and placing in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m).

Leading technology and world-famous Kiwi hospitality will again combine for an unforgettable Karaka experience at Karaka 2022.

For the second year, buyers who are unable to physically attend the Sale will be able to participate via NZB’s user-friendly online bidding platform. Register for online bidding 24 hours prior to the Sale here.

Domestic buyers wishing to physically attend Karaka 2022 will need to pre-register to attend the Sale here.

All buyers will also need to register to purchase at Karaka 2022. Buyers can register to purchase by filling out the Buyer Registration form here or fill in an Appointment of Agent form here.

New Zealand-based agents are also available to complete inspections on behalf of international buyers at on-farm parades and at the iconic Karaka Sales Centre. Contact a New Zealand-based Agent here. 

View the full Book 1 and 2 catalogues online here.

IMPORTANT DATES

Vodafone New Zealand Derby Day at Ellerslie, Saturday 5 March

Book 1: Monday 7 – Wednesday 9 March, commencing 11am (NZT)

Book 2: Thursday 10 – Saturday 12 March, commencing 11am (NZT)

Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day at Ellerslie, Sunday 13 March