$1.1million Filly Stars - Lightning Strikes Twice as Book 1 Concludes

Media Release - Tuesday January 28

Day Three of NZB’s 2025 National Yearling Sales Series rounded out Book 1 on Tuesday, with a solid day of trade on par with last year’s results.

At the close of selling, the Book 1 aggregate reached $75,322,500 from a slightly smaller offering of 588 yearlings, while the average rounded out at $164,819 and the clearance rate improved to 78%.

$2.4million Savabeel filly from Symphonic made history as the highest priced filly ever sold at Karaka.

$2.4million Savabeel filly from Symphonic made history as the highest priced filly ever sold at Karaka.

The Book 1 session was one for the history books when a record-breaking $2.4 million sale of Lot 345 took place on the second day, marking the most expensive filly to be purchased at Karaka and the highest priced yearling in 25 years.

NZB’s Managing Director Andrew Seabrook was pleased following the final day of Book 1. 

“We said if we could get close to the incredible result of 2024, we’d be thrilled, and we are down just 5% for now, so we could not be happier.”

“We’ve been talking about how strong the international buying bench was here this week, but our domestic bench was outstanding.

“Given the state of the economy, we’ve just proven how resilient this industry is.”

$1.1million Proisir filly from Donna Marie.

$1.1million Proisir filly from Donna Marie.

It was a case of déjà vu when the highlight of Day Three, Lot 564, a full sister to Prowess (Proisir) offered by Hallmark Stud, was knocked down to Roger James and Robert Wellwood for $1.1 million.

Only a year earlier, Hallmark’s Mark Baker sold another full-sister to the star for $1.6 million.

“It’s a dream result,” he commented.

“To repeat these results two years in a row, that is surreal. It hasn’t sunk in yet.”

“It’s great for the family, her (Donna Marie’s) family, but our family. We are a small family-run stud farm.

“It was a great Sale. Our clients were well-rewarded for nice horses and our pinhooks were good to us.”

$850,000  Proisir filly from Golden Hind.

$850,000 Proisir filly from Golden Hind.

The second top lot of the day came when Lot 637 (Proisir x Golden Hind) sold for $850,000 to the bid of agent Dean Hawthorne.

The filly was offered by Curraghmore, who led the vendor by average tables and sold all 18 yearlings offered for an average of $322,222.

Securing his leading buyer title for another year was Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis, who purchased 26 yearlings over the last three days for a total spend of $4,497,500.

“We’re so lucky to have such a large group of owners here at the Sale, it makes us determined to buy more horses,” he commented.

“There are horses at all levels to purchase this week. We’ve bought some good horses out of Book 2 in the past too,” added Ellis.

For the first time, Karaka-based Haunui Farm took the title of leading vendor, selling 24 yearlings for $6,740,000.

“It’s an honour to be entrusted with such quality horses. We have some great clients that support us to bring their yearlings to the market, and it’s great to see them rewarded,” commented a delighted Mark Chitty.

“It’s a massive team effort not only by Haunui but also by NZB to bring the buyers to Karaka to participate in a wonderful sale.”

Wootton Bassett (GB) was the leading sire by average.

Wootton Bassett (GB) was the leading sire by average.

The leading sire for Book 1 was Coolmore’s popular Wootton Bassett, who sold nine yearlings for an average of $361,667, while his stablemate St Mark’s Basilica took the honours for the freshman stallions, with seven sold for an average of $235,714.

St Mark's Basilica (Fr) was the lading first season sire by average.

St Mark's Basilica (Fr) was the lading first season sire by average.

Attention now turns to Book 2 on Wednesday where the selling of lots 662 to 860 will get underway from 12pm (NZT) at Karaka. 

Book 2 has been a happy hunting ground for Group One winners, highlighted by the likes of Queensland Derby winner Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree), Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) and Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood).

All yearlings purchased at Karaka 2025 are eligible to be nominated for NZB’s lucrative Karaka Millions Series, featuring the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO, $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO and the $1m NZB Mega Maiden Series. To nominate your yearling, contact finance@nzb.co.nz or call +64 9 298 0055.  Entries close Monday 3 March 2025.

To enquire about Passed Lots from Book 1 contact Patrick Cunningham on +64 21 181 5898 or email Patrick.Cunningham@nzb.co.nz, or Andrew Buick on +64 27 555 0640 or email Andrew.Buick@nzb.co.nz

View the full Book 1 results here.  
Catch the highlights and Lot-by-Lot footage from Book 1 here.

Book 2 will be televised live in New Zealand on Freeview Channel 200, as well as on NZB’s website, online bidding platform and Facebook page.

 

Karaka 2025: Book 1 Statistics (as at end of selling)
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  2025 BOOK 1 TOTAL 2024 BOOK 1 TOTAL 2023 BOOK 1 TOTAL 2022 BOOK 1 TOTAL 2021 BOOK 1 TOTAL
AGGREGATE $75,322,500 $79,585,500 $70,063,000 $63,127,500 $50,778,000
AVERAGE $164,819 $168,257 $151,980 $146,808 $123,248
MEDIAN $110,000 $120,000 $130,000 $100,000 $95,000
CLEARANCE 78% 78% 79% 77% 81%
CATALOGUED 661 682 644 636 579
OFFERED 588 607 582 560 506
SOLD 457 473 461 430 412
TOP LOT Lot 345 Savabeel - Symphonic (Br.F) $2,400,000 Lot 21 Proisir - Donna Marie (Ch.F) $1,600,000 Lot 586 Fastnet Rock - Test the World (B.F) $1,000,000 Lot 161 Savabeel - Chandelier (B.C) $1,000,000 Lot 94 Zoustar - Scintillula (B.F) $800,000

 

Karaka 2025: Book 1 Day Three Top Lots
Lot Sire Dam Sex Vendor Purchaser Price
564 Proisir Donna Marie Filly Hallmark Stud Mr RA James / Mr R Wellwood (Waikato) $1,100,000.
637 Proisir Golden Hind Filly Curraghmore Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock (Waikato) $850,000.
628 Sword of State Fuld's Bet Colt Cambridge Stud Mulberry Racing (NSW) $540,000.
579 Savabeel Embedded Filly Kilgravin Lodge Busuttin Young Racing / Cameron Cooke Bloodstock (VIC) $450,000.
638 Dundeel Grace Augusta Colt Curraghmore Stephen Marsh Racing / Dylan Johnson Bloodstock (Waikato)

$450,000.

Karaka 2025: Book 1 Top Lots Overall
Lot Sire Dam Sex Vendor Purchaser Price
345 Savabeel Symphonic Filly Haunui Farm Mulcaster Bloodstock Ltd / Chris Waller Racing (NSW) $2,400,000.
564 Proisir Donna Marie Filly Hallmark Stud Mr RA James / Mr R Wellwood (Waikato) $1,100,000.
637 Proisir Golden Hind Filly Curraghmore Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock (Waikato) $850,000.
6 Wootton Bassett Il Affare Colt Curraghmore Michael Freedman / Tom Magnier / Mick Wallace (NSW) $725,000.
335 Proisir Strada Cavallo Filly Curraghmore DGR Thoroughbred Services (FBAA) / John Sargent Racing / Spicer Thoroughbreds (NSW) $700,000.
168 Too Darn Hot On the Ball Filly Curraghmore James Harron Bloodstock Pty Ltd / Michael Freedman Racing / Tony Fung Filly Partnership (NSW) $675,000.
Karaka 2025: Book 1 Leading Purchasers by Aggregate
Purchaser Aggregate Bought Top Price Top Lot
Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) (Te Akau) $4,497,500. 26 $350,000 446
Mulcaster Bloodstock Ltd / Chris Waller Racing (NSW) $4,330,000. 11 $2,400,000 345
KPW Bloodstock (QLD) $2,410,000. 14 $170,000 78
The Hong Kong Jockey Club (Hong Kong) $2,370,000. 6 $625,000 11
Mr RA James / Mr R Wellwood (Waikato) $2,220,000. 7 $1,100,000 564
Wexford Stables (Waikato) $2,175,000. 13 $340,000 399
Go Racing / Blandford Bloodstock (Waikato) $1,855,000. 10 $375,000 188
Stephen Marsh Racing / Dylan Johnson Bloodstock $1,850,000. 10 $450,000 638
Tartan Meadow Bloodstock (Hong Kong) $1,685,000. 4 $600,000 457
Mick Price Racing & Breeding (VIC) $1,650,000. 9 $600,000 103

 

Karaka 2025: Book 1 Leading Vendors by Aggregate

 

Vendor Aggregate Offered Sold Average Top Price Top Lot
Haunui Farm $6,740,000. 30 24 $280,833 $2,400,000. 345
Waikato Stud $5,880,000. 50 45 $130,667 $380,000. 573
Curraghmore $5,800,000. 18 18 $322,222 $850,000. 637
Cambridge Stud $4,425,000. 39 32 $138,281 $540,000. 628
Elsdon Park $3,860,000. 29 24 $160,833 $450,000. 266
Landsdowne Park $3,685,000. 30 26 $141,731 $400,000. 169
Windsor Park Stud $3,425,000. 30 24 $142,708 $600,000. 103
Wentwood Grange $3,420,000. 28 23 $148,696 $460,000. 377
Trelawney Stud $3,405,000. 14 13 $261,923 $625,000. 11
Hallmark Stud $3,390,000. 18 15 $226,000 $1,100,000. 564

Karaka 2025: Book 1 Leading Vendors by Average (three or more sold)
Vendor Offered Sold Average Top Price Top Lot
Curraghmore 18 18 $322,222 $850,000 637
Haunui Farm 30 24 $280,833 $2,400,000 345
Trelawney Stud Ltd 14 13 $261,923 $625,000 11
Hallmark Stud 18 15 $226,000 $1,100,000 564
Milan Park 6 5 $202,000 $475,000 356
Highline Thoroughbreds 10 7 $192,857 $560,000 440
Kilgravin Lodge 10 7 $184,286 $450,000 579
Blandford Lodge 10 7 $183,571 $600,000 457
Woburn Farm 19 13 $180,769 $400,000 260
Rich Hill Stud 27 18 $169,167 $525,000 149

Karaka 2025: Book 1 Leading Sires by Average (three or more sold)
Sire Offered Sold Average Top Price Top Lot
Wootton Bassett 10 9 $361,667 $725,000 6
Savabeel 42 35 $287,143 $2,400,000 345
Too Darn Hot 8 6 $254,167 $675,000 168
Capitalist 5 5 $238,000 $460,000 377
St Mark's Basilica* 10 7 $235,714 $360,000 595
Proisir 49 41 $233,171 $1,100,000 564
Sword of State* 22 20 $201,500 $540,000 628
Dundeel 6 6 $196,667 $450,000 638
Toronado 6 5 $195,000 $350,000 7
Satono Aladdin 39 29 $170,690 $525,000 149

*First season sire


Karaka 2025: Book 1 Leading First Season Sires by Average (three or more sold)
Sire Offered Sold Average Top Price Top Lot
St Mark's Basilica 10 7 $235,714 $360,000 595
Sword of State 22 20 $201,500 $540,000 628
Home Affairs 13 9 $168,889 $340,000 174
Wild Ruler 3 3 $166,667 $380,000 331
Pinatubo 5 4 $136,250 $230,000 570
Noverre 17 16 $135,625 $310,000 445
Palace Pier 3 3 $123,333 $175,000 206
Acrobat 5 4 $98,125 $160,000 511
Armory 9 6 $73,333 $120,000 604
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