Cambridge Stud’s Karaka resurgence continued on Tuesday after the renowned farm sold an Embellish filly out of Queen Of Wizardry for $200,000 to top Book 2 where trade topped $12.1 million.
Book 1 of the 100th New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale has concluded on a $1.1 million high, thanks to an in-demand son of Sword Of State.
Elsdon Park is just four years in, but Lib Petagna’s investment in quality bloodstock is paying off with an Alabama Express colt making $850,000 on day two of the NZB Karaka Yearling Sale on Monday.
In this week’s Rowe On Monday, Tim Rowe has been busy on the sales grounds at Karaka, with the state of the New Zealand industry and the tight sales calendar turnaround on everyone’s lips.
An extended opening day of the 100th edition of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale saw averages, median and aggregate soar, and an $850,000 Snitzel colt topping trade.
David Payne admits he thought there wouldn’t be a reason for him to end his 10-year absence from Karaka but long-time stable supporter Wayne Shelton made the master Sydney trainer think again - and he has Ceolwulf to thank.
Long-serving managing director Andrew Seabrook believes the strength of the Karaka catalogue and the continued performance of New Zealand-bred horses in Australia, Hong Kong and beyond remain the key drivers as buyers reassess value in a softer currency environment.
Winx’s second foal, a colt by Snitzel, will hog the headlines but Inglis’ Sebastian Hutch believes the just-released 2026 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale catalogue offers buyers the best opportunity to buy a top-class racehorse.
While the spotlight this week is firmly on New Zealand Bloodstock’s centenary Karaka sale, a quieter but significant shift in the Asian thoroughbred market will take place in Malaysia, where the Selangor Turf Club is set to launch its maiden Community Horse Project online sale.
Behind the sales rings of Australasia’s major thoroughbred auction houses sits another asset class altogether, with Inglis, New Zealand Bloodstock and Magic Millions collectively holding land valued at more than $1 billion. While the temptation to cash in looms as urban sprawl closes in, Magic Millions co-owner Gerry Harvey says the company remains committed to selling horses.
