The date may be different, but when buyers and consignors converge on Karaka for the 96th annual New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales Series in March, the stars of the show will be the same stellar selection of yearlings that New Zealand is famous for.
Catalogues have been released for Book 1 and Book 2 of Karaka 2022, which has been pushed back from its long-standing late-January slot due to COVID-19. Book 1 will now run from Monday 7 to Wednesday 9 March, followed immediately by Book 2 from Thursday 10 to Saturday 12 March.
A total of 1103 yearlings are set to go through the ring during the six-day sale extravaganza, including an exceptional line-up of 636 yearlings showcased in the elite Book 1 session.
The pedigree pages are saturated with black type, with 30 siblings to Group One winners, plus the progeny of 99 stakes-winning mares including 10 at the elite level.
Steeped in history and respected around the world for the racetrack heroics of its graduates, NZB’s flag-bearing Karaka Sales Centre regularly produces champions across all jurisdictions and at all distances.
- In the last six years alone, there have been 141 Group One victories recorded by 83 individual Group One stars sourced from NZB Sales.
- Just last season, Karaka graduates won 32 Group One races and scored a total of 108 blacktype successes.
- On average, New Zealand-bred horses earned 56% more than Australian-breds during the 2020-21 season in Australia.
- NZB graduates claimed four consecutive Hong Kong Derbys, with Sky Darci (NZ) victorious in the 2021 edition, cementing Karaka as the number one source of winners.
The high-quality line up features the progeny of 97 different sires, including all of the top five names on this season’s stallion premierships on both sides of the Tasman.
Leading technology and world-famous kiwi hospitality, will again combine for an unforgettable Karaka experience at Karaka 2022.
For the second year, buyers who are unable to physically attend the Sale will be able to participate via NZB’s user-friendly online bidding platform.
New Zealand-based agents are also available to complete inspections on behalf of international buyers at on farm parades and at the iconic Karaka Sales Centre.
View the full Book 1 and 2 catalogues online here.
Important Dates
2022 Karaka Million Twilight meeting at Ellerslie: Saturday 22 January
Book 1: Monday 7 – Wednesday 9 March, commencing 11AM (NZT)
Book 2: Thursday 10 – Saturday 12 March, commencing 11AM (NZT)
Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day at Ellerslie, Sunday 13 March