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NZB National Yearling Sale to debut new format
LOVERACING.NZ News Desk • May 6th, 2025 2:00 pm
Photo: Nicole Troost
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the National Yearling Sales in New Zealand, and it is set to take on a new look for its milestone year.
Book 1 will be conducted across two full days (Sunday, January 25, and Monday, January 26), composed of approximately 580 horses, with Book 2 (Tuesday, January 27) immediately following with a further 290 yearlings the following day.
A third session will also be re-introduced with up to 200 yearlings catalogued to sell on the Thursday (January 29), which will be known as the Karaka Summer Sale, with the day prior (January 28) to be utilised as an inspection day.
“Our goal is to assemble the very best line-up of yearlings, validating our annual yearling harvest as the flag bearing sale for New Zealand breeders with the cream of the crop on offer,” New Zealand Bloodstock managing director Andrew Seabrook said.
“While the condensed Book 1 and Book 2 (sessions) will be full days of selling, the format will be highly advantageous from an international buyer’s perspective. They want to be away from home for as little time as possible during what is an extremely busy sales calendar.
“The introduction of the third session is to ensure we have a complete offering for both vendors and buyers, boosted by some attractive sales terms and a $200,000 Karaka Millions bonus.”
“The 100-year anniversary is truly an exciting occasion. We are thrilled to be celebrating such a milestone on behalf of the wider industry and are looking forward to producing one of the best catalogues seen in New Zealand.”
Entries for the National Yearling Sales Series open in June, while details for the National Online Yearling Sale are in discussions, with the timing of that session to be confirmed shortly.
KARAKA 2026 SALE SCHEDULE
BOOK 1: Lots 1 – 580
Day One: Sunday 25 January
Day Two: Monday 26 January
BOOK 2: Lots 581 – 871
Tuesday 27 January
KARAKA SUMMER SALE: Lots 878 – 1000+
Thursday 29 January
