The NZB National Yearling Sale has an exciting new addition with the inaugural Karaka Summer Sale, which has already been put in the spotlight by an unbeaten and stakes-winning juvenile.
A select group of 160 yearlings will go under the hammer during the Summer Sale on Thursday 29 January, two days after the Book 2 Sale. There are numerous points of interest in the catalogue that make the Summer Sale well worth a closer look.
One yearling in the catalogue that suddenly has an elevated profile is Lot 860, who is a half-brother to the favourite for the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on the eve of Karaka 2026.
De Armas (NZ) (Ardrossan) has had two starts for two stylish victories, including the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Pukekohe on November 22.
Cambria Park will offer the exciting filly’s half-brother, a colt by Banquo out of the Rip Van Winkle mare Regal Winks (NZ), as one of the highlight lots of the Summer Sale.
Another notable member of the catalogue is Lot 858, from the draft of Timberlee Thoroughbreds, who is a half-brother to Group Three winner Pop Star Princess (NZ) (Makfi) and the stakes-placed Queen Of Zealand (NZ) (Savabeel). This is a colt by Almanzor, who has sired new Group winners on the last two weekends with Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) and Mary Shan (NZ). The dam is Queen Of Pop (NZ) (Pins), who herself finished third in the Group Two Royal Stakes (2000m) and fourth in the Group One Levin Classic (1600m).
Timberlee Thoroughbreds also offers Lot 875, a colt by Staphanos out of the Group Three Mannerism Stakes (1400m) runner-up Simply Put (Charge Forward).
Lot 937, a Sweynesse filly from the Platinum Bloodstock draft, is a half-sister to the Group One Australian Oaks (2400m) placegetter Perfect Rhyme (Poet’s Voice). Another half-sister, Diggilou (NZ) (Iffraaj), is the dam of multiple black-type winner Read About It (NZ) (Wrote).
Grangewilliam Stud offers Lot 957, a colt by resident stallion Derryn out of the multiple black-type winner Halobelle (NZ) (My Halo). This colt is a half-brother to four winners from four foals to race, including Group Three winner Miss Federer (NZ) (Swiss Ace) and the stakes-placed Starlight Angel (NZ) (Swiss Ace).
Other notable lots in the catalogue include:
- Lot 864, a Grangewilliam Stud-offered colt by The Bold One out of the 11-race winner and Group Three placegetter Rosewood (NZ) (Redwood).
- Lot 866, a colt by in-form sire Ardrossan out of the winning mare Run Lee (NZ) (Rock ‘N’ Pop), who is a half-sister to the dam of Group One winner Aloisia (NZ) (Azamour).
- Lot 876, a filly by Sweynesse who is the first foal out of the Listed winner Sitarist (NZ) (Road To Rock).
- Lot 878, a colt from the first crop out of Profondo. The dam is a half-sister to dual Group One winner Julinsky Prince (NZ) (Darci Brahma).
- Lot 879, an Ace High colt out of a half-sister to the dam of multiple Group One winner Danzdanzdance (Mastercraftsman).
- Lot 881, a filly by King Of Comedy out of Group Three West Australian Oaks (2400m) placegetter Spectacular Vision (NZ) (Mastercraftsman).
- Lot 896, a colt by Divine Prophet out of a three-quarter-sister to Shillelagh (NZ) (Savabeel). Herself a Group One winner of the Group One Cantala Stakes (1600m) and Empire Rose Stakes (1600m), Shillelagh is the dam of two black-type performers.
- Lot 900, whose sire Armory made a big impression in the recent Ready to Run Sale. This colt is a half-brother to Melbourne and Sydney black-type performers Wine Bush (High Chaparral) and Wine Tales (Tale Of The Cat).
- Lot 907, a filly by promising sire Hanseatic out of a three-quarter-sister to the Group One Toorak Handicap (1600m) winner He’s Our Rokkii (NZ) (Roc De Cambes).
- Lot 922, an Armory half-sister to Group Two Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) and Sheraco Stakes (1200m) placegetter Dark Glitter (Spieth).
- Lot 930, a half-brother to Group performers Mauna Kea (NZ) (Per Incanto) and Mauna Loa (NZ) (Nom Du Jeu).
- Lot 940, a half-brother to dual Listed winner Read About It (NZ) (Wrote).
- Lot 942, a filly by Noverre (NZ) out of Group Two Royal Stakes (2000m) placegetter Downton Abbey (NZ) (Tavistock).
- Lot 945, a filly by Redwood out of an unraced half-sister to Group One New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Savaria (NZ) (Savabeel).
- Another Redwood yearling, Lot 946, who is a half-brother to the Group Three Widden Stakes (1100m) placegetter Mystic Empire (All Too Hard). Their dam is a half-sister to Group One winner Royal Descent (Redoute’s Choice).
- Lot 964, a colt by in-form sire Ace High out of Group Three placegetter Initiative (NZ) (Reliable Man).
- Lot 978, a Press Statement colt from the high-quality family of the likes of Group One winner Ruthless Dame (NZ) (Tavistock) and unbeaten two-year-old filly Torture (NZ) (Sword Of State).
- Lot 985, a half-sister to the Group Three-placed Whiskey (NZ) (Burgundy). Their dam Likeapins (NZ) (Pins) was also a black-type placegetter.
- Lot 989, an El Roca filly who is a three-quarter-sister to the stakes winner Sacred Man (Fastnet Rock). Their dam Love And Kisses (Encosta De Lago) placed in the Group One Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in Sydney.
- Lot 1003, a half-sister to the Listed winner and Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) runner-up Chambord (NZ) (Zabeel).
- Lot 1007, a filly by Ribchester out of the Listed winner and Group Three-placed Monza Circuito (NZ) (Showcasing).
- Lot 1008, a filly by King Of Comedy out of the stakes-placed My Chino (NZ) (My Halo).
- Lot 1009, a full-brother to the Group Two, Group Three and Listed placegetter Channel Surfer (NZ) (Derryn).
All yearlings purchased are eligible for the Karaka Millions Series featuring the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), followed by the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) as well as the NZB Mega Maiden Bonus Series with $1m in bonuses up for grabs across 40 maiden races each season.
The Karaka Summer Sale is further boosted by a $200,000 Karaka Millions bonus. 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.
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
