breednet.com.au

NZB Counts Down to 100th National Yearling Sale

Media Release - Tuesday July 8

Karaka 2026, set to take place at NZB’s Karaka Sales Centre from 25 – 29 January, will mark the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand.   

A century of thoroughbred excellence has shaped the National Yearling Sale, from guineas to dollars, Trentham to Karaka and Wrightsons to NZB. 

The first sale took place at Trentham in 1927.

It is the beating heart of trade within the New Zealand breeding and racing industry, where breeder meets buyer, where years of careful planning and preparation meets astute judgement and ambition. It is where winning begins. 

From this centenary of sales ring moments have emerged many legends of the racetrack, among them the titans Phar Lap, Rising Fast, Tulloch, Dulcify, Octagonal and So You Think. 

In the countdown to Karaka 2026, NZB will be celebrating the horses, people and moments that have graced the sale ring over the past century, while also looking towards the future to continue the legacy of the National Yearling Sales Series as the preeminent thoroughbred sales event of New Zealand. 

NZB's John Cameron auctioneering.

For 60 years, NZB’s International Bloodstock Manager John Cameron has been a key part of the team as the National Yearling Sale has evolved.  

“It was around 1966, when I first attended the National Yearling Sale at Trentham. Michael Floyd was at the helm of the Wright, Stephensons and Co. bloodstock division. My job was on the rostrum, clerking the sale alongside auctioneers Peter Kelly, Bill Patterson and Dave Clarkson.”  

“The National Yearling Sale is the flagbearer. It’s a time when New Zealand breeders present the very best yearlings to the market for international and domestic buyers.  

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“The impact and recognition that our NZ-bred horses have had on not only on Australian racing, but also jurisdictions like Hong Kong, since I've first attended the yearling sales is tremendous. Graduates have, and continue to, compete at the highest level on the international stage. 

“Our breeders and vendors of today are carrying forward the tradition of breeding and presenting top class horses and are continuing the future success of the National Yearling Sale. 

“I look forward to Karaka 2026 this January to celebrate the milestone. 100 years is of great significance, there are a lot of memories and people past and present,” added Cameron. 

To follow along on all of the news, blogs, videos and more, visit 100years.nzb.co.nz. Enthusiasts can also get involved in the Facebook community group to share memories of the Sale here, or follow NZB’s social media platforms for more.  

Entries for Karaka 2026 are currently open and close this Friday 11 July via NZB’s Portal. 

100th NATIONAL YEARLING SALE SCHEDULE (KARAKA 2026): 

  • 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  

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