Valachi Downs’ annual broodmare reduction online

Media Release - Tuesday April 26

Valachi Downs’ annual broodmare reduction is now live on Gavelhouse Plus with 30 entries including empty mares, in foal mares and mares with foals at foot.

Blue Valley is among the entries.

Following last year’s successful approach, all Lots are unreserved with bidding running through until 7pm (NZT) on Wednesday 4 May.

General Manager Gareth Downey said of the entries “”

A quality roster of broodmare sires is represented with plenty of big international names among them including Bated Breath, Bernardini, Cape Cross, Danehill Dancer, Fastnet Rock, Gallant Guru, Hawk Wing, High Chaparral, Lawman, Lope de Vega, Makfi, Nathaniel, Oasis Dream, Redoute’s Choice, Rip Van Winkle, Showcasing, Starspangledbanner, Vespa, Volksraad, War Decree, Zabeel and Zed.

Advertisement

Of the in foal mares, covering sires include Contributer, Redwood, Reliable Man, Savile Row, Telperion, Time Test, Turn Me Loose, Vadamos and Vespa while there are foals at foot by Almanzor, Belardo, Contributer, Reliable Man, Ten Sovereigns, U S Navy Flag, Vadamos, Vespa and War Decree.

Inspections are welcome by appointment at the Matamata nursery and can be arranged by contacting Nicole Brown on 027 292 9296 or Gareth Downey 027 205 6687. Prospective buyers are reminded that Gavelhouse Plus account must be set up well in advance of the auction closing to ensure they are approved. Set up your registration here.

Running concurrently with this sale on Gavelhouse Plus is the regular fortnightly gavelhouse.com mixed bloodstock auction with this edition featuring 52 Lots and closing from 7pm (NZT) Monday 2 April.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Kinnaird Looking to Extend Te Akau Dominance
The Karaka Millions twilight meeting is always a key focus for Te Akau Racing, and they are set to have another strong hand in this year’s edition.
51st National Yearling Sale for International Bloodstock Agent John Foote
For over 51 years, respected international bloodstock agent John Foote has been attending the National Yearling Sale in New Zealand, and he has returned to Karaka for the historic 100th National Yearling Sale this week. 
2026 Inglis Easter Revealed - Galaxy of Stars
A world-class catalogue of 472 lots has been confirmed for what is shaping as a spectacular Easter Yearling Sale, for which the catalogue is now available online.
Opportunity Knocks - Adelaide to Deliver Again in 2026
One of the Southern Hemisphere's most regarded and best producing auctions is ready to deliver more life changing moments this March with the online release of a quality catalogue for 2026.
Inglis Easter Sire and Vendor Break Up
Inglis released their catalogue for the 2026 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale on Thursday with 50 more yearlings than last year and the big change on face value from last year is the increased participation from Yulong.
Vendors Count Down to Historic NZ National Yearling Sale
Some of the most respected names in the New Zealand thoroughbred industry will be out in force at Karaka over the next few days during the milestone 100th edition of the National Yearling Sale.
Sliders tops Inglis January Online as Anamoe breeding right confirmed for Feb (Early) auction
The first Inglis Digital auction of 2026 was topped by well related mare Sliders – with an I Am Invincible colt foal at foot – selling for $400,000.
Justify Double At Canterbury – Relations to both sell at Inglis Easter
Favourite backers were cheering on Friday night at Canterbury when odds on chances Willingham and Just Maz took out races three and four with the promising pair of winners both 3yos by Coolmore’s Justify (USA).
First NH G1 Winner Ghaiyyath – Opera Ballo Wins Jebel Hatta
2020 European Horse of the Year Ghaiyyath (IRE) got his first Group I winner in Australia last spring in Victoria Derby hero Observer and had his second overnight when Opera Ballo took the G1 Jebel Hatta (1m1f), while the other G1 on the card at Meydan also had a winner of serious interest for a different reason.
People at Karaka
The 100th New Zealand National Yearling Sale kicks off on Sunday at Karaka and Maree McEwan has been out talking to some optimistic vendors and looking for their highlights.