Final Results for Karaka 2023

After a strong six days of trading at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 97th National Yearling Sales Series, final results have been accumulated for its Book 1 and Book 2 yearling sessions held from 29 January to 3 February. 

This year’s Sale saw the return of international buyers and pre-pandemic hospitality in full swing at the iconic Karaka Sales Centre.

Over six days of selling at Karaka 2023, 742 yearlings sold for an aggregate of $82,158,500, an increase of over $7.7 million on last year’s figure. The combined average has risen from $106,109 to $110,726 and the median increased from $70,000 to $80,000. The combined clearance rate also increased on last year’s result, rising from 75% to 77%.

The highlight of the week was the $1,000,000 purchase by Te Akau Racing Principal David Ellis (Lot 586). The Fastnet Rock filly out of Test the World (NZ) (Testa Rossa) was purchased from Gordon Cunningham’s Curraghmore operation and was the first million dollar filly to be purchased at Karaka since 2005.

Victorian agent Cameron Cooke purchased the second highest-priced lot for $750,000. Lot 294 is a colt by first season sire Too Darn Hot, out of Iffraaj mare Lady Sayyida (NZ). The lot hails from one of Trelawney’s great families, himself a close relative to standout racehorses-turned-sires Ocean Park (NZ) and Grunt (NZ).

The leading buyer for the eighteenth consecutive year was David Ellis, who purchased 31 yearlings for a total spend of $6,290,000. Kevin Walls (KPW Bloodstock) was the second-highest purchaser at Karaka 2023, securing 11 horses for a total aggregate of $3,115,000.

After a whirlwind week of selling, entertaining and unforeseen weather events, NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook commented on the final results.

“The success story of Karaka 2023 was undoubtedly having our international buyers back on the grounds at a yearling sale for the first time since 2020.”

“Despite the weather, the Australians loved being back on the complex and it was very heartening to see their spend increase by $14.5 million on 2022’s result.

“We were impressed by the year-on-year increase of the Book 1 median, rising to $130,000 from $100,000 in 2022.

“Our leading buyer David Ellis was well supported by some of our traditional kiwi buyers, however, New Zealand’s spend was down some $9 million on 2022’s results.

“We must commend the vendors for the incredible job they did in extremely trying circumstances due to the horrendous weather.

“We realise that it was not easy for anyone on site but we believe we got through it remarkably well,” Seabrook said.

All yearlings purchased at Karaka are eligible for the lucrative Karaka Million Series with two $1 million races available for graduates as two and three-year-olds, plus the $120,000 CollinsonForex Karaka Cup for the duration of their career. Nominations must be received by 5PM (NZT) on Monday 5 March 2023.

Revisit all the highlights and Lot-by-Lot footage from the week here.

To make enquiries about Passed Lots contact NZB’s Kane Jones on +64 27 274 4985 or email kane.jones@nzb.co.nz or Regan Donnison on +64 21 512 466 or email regan.donnison@nzb.co.nz.

View the Passed Lots for each catalogue here:

Upcoming NZB Sale Calendar
  • 2023 National Online Yearling Sale – Wednesday 19 April on Gavelhouse Plus
  • 2023 National Weanling & Broodmare Sale – Friday 16 June at the Karaka Sales Centre

Karaka 2023 Combined Final Statistics

  2023 2022 2021 2020
Aggregate $82,158,500 $74,382,500 $60,996,500 $78,458,188
Average $110,726 $106,109 $94,276 $91,443
Median $80,000 $70,000 $62,500 $55,000
Clearance 77% 75% 82% 76%
Catalogued 1079 1103 918 1265
Withdrawn 121 156 127 143
Offered 958 947 791 1122
Passed 216 246 144 264
Lots Sold 742 701 647 858
Top Price $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $800,000 $900,000

Karaka 2023 Final Statistics by Catalogue

  BOOK 1 BOOK 2
Aggregate $70,545,500 $11,583,000
Average $149,778 $42,742
Median $130,000 $31,000
Clearance 81% 72%
Catalogued 644 435
Lots Sold 471 271
Top Price Lot 586 Fastnet Rock – Test the World (B.F) $1,000,000 Lot 789 Proisir – Harriet Wilson (G.C) $180,000

Karaka 2023 Top 20 Lots

LOT TYPE BREEDING VENDOR PURCHASER PRICE
586 B.F Fastnet Rock / Test the World Curraghmore Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) $1,000,000
294 B.C Too Darn Hot / Lady Sayyida Trelawney Stud Cameron Cooke Bloodstock $750,000
59 B.C Savabeel / Bayrock Windsor Park Stud Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) $625,000
616 B.F Super Seth / Valpolicella Haunui Farm Laguna Partnership / Barry Lee Bloodstock / John Sargent Racing $625,000
97 B.F Savabeel / Chiaretta Elsdon Park Forsman Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock / Bevan Smith Bloodstock $600,000
344 B.F Pierro / Meleka Belle Haunui Farm Mr T Stakemire $500,000
488 Ch.F Written Tycoon / Save the Date Cambridge Stud Forsman Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock / Bevan Smith Bloodstock $460,000
189 B.F Vadamos / Floramour Curraghmore Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock $450,000
196 B.F Pierro / Forever Loved Curraghmore Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock $450,000
505 BR.C Per Incanto / Sharvasti Little Avondale Stud KPW Bloodstock $450,000
621 B.C Deep Field / Via Veneto Beaufort Downs The Hong Kong Jockey Club $450,000
210 B.C Savabeel / Glee Waikato Stud The Oaks Stud $400,000
423 B.C Per Incanto / Petite en Jeu Prima Park The Hong Kong Jockey Club $400,000
507 B.C Zoustar / Shenandoah Wentwood Grange Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) $400,000
632 BB.C Deep Field / Waruna Carlaw Park Jamie Richards Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock $400,000
91 B.C Super Seth / Chandelier Waikato Stud Stephen Marsh Racing  / Dennis Foster / Bourbon Lane / Dylan Johnson Bloodstock $380,000
267 B.F Grunt / Joan’s a Jett Trelawney Stud KPW Bloodstock $380,000
326 Ch.F Extreme Choice / Majestueux Woburn Farm Annabel Neasham Racing $380,000
49 B.F So You Think / Aurora Lights The Oaks Stud KPW Bloodstock $375,000
328 B.C Ocean Park / Make a Wish Waikato Stud Moody Racing $375,000

Karaka 2023 Leading Purchasers by Aggregate

PURCHASER BOUGHT AGGREGATE AVERAGE TOP PRICE TOP LOT
Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) 31 $6,290,000 $202,903 $1,000,000 586
KPW Bloodstock 11 $3,115,000 $283,182 $450,000 505
Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock 11 $2,880,000 $261,818 $450,000 189
Go Racing 11 $1,935,000 $175,909 $325,000 363
Ciaron Maher Racing 12 $1,905,000 $158,750 $300,000 608
John Foote Bloodstock 13 $1,730,000 $133,077 $250,000 318
Wexford Stables 14 $1,507,500 $107,679 $220,000 385
Mr RA James / Mr R Wellwood 9 $1,490,000 $165,556 $260,000 391
The Hong Kong Jockey Club 5 $1,470,000 $294,000 $450,000 621
Ballymore Stables / Paul Moroney Bloodstock  / Catheryne Bruggeman 14 $1,437,000 $102,643 $280,000 299
John O’Shea Racing / Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) 9 $1,425,000 $158,333 $300,000 41
Tartan Meadow Bloodstock 10 $1,422,500 $142,250 $320,000 572
Jamie Richards Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock 5 $1,225,000 $245,000 $400,000 632
Forsman Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock / Bevan Smith Bloodstock 2 $1,060,000 $530,000 $600,000 97
Moody Racing 4 $1,050,000 $262,500 $375,000 328
Stephen Marsh Racing / Dylan Johnson Bloodstock 7 $1,005,000 $143,571 $240,000 434
Patella Bloodstock 13 $838,500 $64,500 $170,000 131
Annabel Neasham Racing 5 $795,000 $159,000 $380,000 326
Rogerson Bloodstock 7 $785,000 $112,143 $225,000 269
Cameron Cooke Bloodstock 1 $750,000 $750,000 $750,000 294

Karaka 2023 Leading Vendors by Aggregate

VENDOR ENTRIES SOLD AGGREGATE AVERAGE TOP PRICE TOP LOT
Waikato Stud 62 53 $7,792,500 $147,028 $400,000 210
Cambridge Stud 46 38 $5,967,500 $157,039 $460,000 488
Curraghmore 27 23 $5,625,000 $244,565 $1,000,000 586
Haunui Farm 60 41 $4,403,000 $107,390 $625,000 616
Westbury Stud 77 41 $4,130,000 $100,732 $240,000 104
Little Avondale Stud 46 34 $3,933,500 $115,691 $450,000 505
Wentwood Grange 39 30 $3,881,000 $129,367 $400,000 507
Windsor Park Stud 47 28 $3,627,500 $129,554 $625,000 59
Carlaw Park 29 24 $3,510,000 $146,250 $400,000 632
Trelawney Stud 15 12 $2,980,000 $248,333 $750,000 294
Landsdowne Park 31 22 $2,762,000 $125,545 $330,000 545
Woburn Farm 39 27 $2,571,500 $95,241 $380,000 326
Pencarrow Stud 23 17 $2,455,000 $144,412 $260,000 253
Rich Hill Stud 40 28 $2,311,000 $82,536 $240,000 424
Elsdon Park 16 13 $2,300,000 $176,923 $600,000 97
Hallmark Stud 21 16 $2,242,500 $140,156 $340,000 107
Mapperley Stud 31 21 $1,600,000 $76,190 $190,000 111
The Oaks Stud 10 7 $1,280,000 $182,857 $375,000 49
Milan Park 22 13 $1,250,000 $96,154 $200,000 534

Karaka 2023 Leading Vendors by Average (three or more sold)

VENDOR ENTRIES SOLD AVERAGE AGGREGATE TOP PRICE TOP LOT
Trelawney Stud 15 12 $248,333 $2,980,000 $750,000 294
Curraghmore 27 23 $244,565 $5,625,000 $1,000,000 586
The Oaks Stud 10 7 $182,857 $1,280,000 $375,000 49
Elsdon Park 16 13 $176,923 $2,300,000 $600,000 97
Cambridge Stud 46 38 $157,039 $5,967,500 $460,000 488
Riversley Park 4 4 $152,500 $610,000 $250,000 200
Waikato Stud 62 53 $147,028 $7,792,500 $400,000 210
Carlaw Park 29 24 $146,250 $3,510,000 $400,000 632
Pencarrow Stud 23 17 $144,412 $2,455,000 $260,000 253
Hallmark Stud 21 16 $140,156 $2,242,500 $340,000 107
Windsor Park Stud 47 28 $129,554 $3,627,500 $625,000 59
Beaufort Downs 10 8 $129,375 $1,035,000 $450,000 621
Wentwood Grange 39 30 $129,367 $3,881,000 $400,000 507
Lyndhurst Farm 6 6 $127,500 $765,000 $260,000 113
Landsdowne Park 31 22 $125,545 $2,762,000 $330,000 545
Ardsley Stud Limited 12 6 $120,167 $721,000 $275,000 84
Little Avondale Stud 46 34 $115,691 $3,933,500 $450,000 505
Phoenix Park 18 10 $115,500 $1,155,000 $250,000 353
Kilgravin Lodge 17 10 $109,450 $1,094,500 $260,000 406
Kaha Nui Farm 5 4 $107,500 $430,000 $200,000 517

Karaka 2023 Leading Sires by Aggregate

SIRE ENTRIES SOLD AGGREGATE AVERAGE TOP PRICE TOP LOT
Savabeel 39 31 $7,245,000 $233,710 $625,000 59
Super Seth* 48 38 $5,447,000 $143,342 $625,000 616
Almanzor 59 43 $5,215,000 $121,279 $260,000 211
Proisir 49 45 $5,088,500 $113,078 $330,000 545
Ocean Park 65 46 $4,649,500 $101,076 $375,000 328
Per Incanto 30 20 $3,820,000 $191,000 $450,000 505
Tivaci 36 28 $2,922,500 $104,375 $350,000 546
So You Think 15 14 $2,275,000 $162,500 $375,000 49
Tarzino 32 15 $1,775,000 $118,333 $250,000 115
Pierro 6 5 $1,730,000 $346,000 $500,000 344
Vadamos 35 19 $1,586,000 $83,474 $450,000 189
Written Tycoon 6 6 $1,565,000 $260,833 $460,000 488
Ardrossan 19 17 $1,517,500 $89,265 $260,000 144
Dundeel 14 10 $1,472,500 $147,250 $220,000 142
Reliable Man 32 18 $1,450,000 $80,556 $170,000 460
Russian Revolution 10 9 $1,340,000 $148,889 $250,000 35
Fastnet Rock 2 2 $1,325,000 $662,500 $1,000,000 586
Contributer 20 16 $1,313,000 $82,063 $240,000 434
Too Darn Hot* 7 5 $1,305,000 $261,000 $750,000 294
Deep Field 6 5 $1,260,000 $252,000 $450,000 621

* First Season Sire

Karaka 2023 Sires by Average (three or more sold)

SIRE ENTRIES SOLD AVERAGE AGGREGATE TOP PRICE TOP LOT
Pierro 6 5 $346,000 $1,730,000 $500,000 344
Too Darn Hot* 7 5 $261,000 $1,305,000 $750,000 294
Written Tycoon 6 6 $260,833 $1,565,000 $460,000 488
Zoustar 4 3 $253,333 $760,000 $400,000 507
Deep Field 6 5 $252,000 $1,260,000 $450,000 621
Savabeel 39 31 $233,710 $7,245,000 $625,000 59
Justify 7 4 $223,750 $895,000 $300,000 418
Per Incanto 30 20 $191,000 $3,820,000 $450,000 505
Nicconi 3 3 $170,000 $510,000 $240,000 620
Hellbent 4 3 $168,333 $505,000 $220,000 385
So You Think 15 14 $162,500 $2,275,000 $375,000 49
Microphone* 6 5 $156,000 $780,000 $200,000 399
Russian Revolution 10 9 $148,889 $1,340,000 $250,000 35
Dundeel 14 10 $147,250 $1,472,500 $220,000 142
Super Seth* 48 38 $143,342 $5,447,000 $625,000 616
Castelvecchio* 3 3 $143,333 $430,000 $200,000 256
Churchill 5 5 $134,000 $670,000 $220,000 228
Pride of Dubai 4 4 $132,500 $530,000 $250,000 213
Alabama Express* 4 4 $131,250 $525,000 $220,000 536
Harry Angel 3 3 $125,000 $375,000 $150,000 358

* First Season Sire

Karaka 2023 First Season Sires by Average (three or more sold)

SIRE ENTRIES SOLD AVERAGE AGGREGATE TOP PRICE TOP LOT
Too Darn Hot 7 5 $261,000 $1,305,000 $750,000 294
Microphone 6 5 $156,000 $780,000 $200,000 399
Super Seth* 48 38 $143,342 $5,447,000 $625,000 616
Castelvecchio 3 3 $143,333 $430,000 $200,000 256
Alabama Express 4 4 $131,250 $525,000 $220,000 536
Magna Grecia 6 3 $116,667 $350,000 $170,000 533
Ten Sovereigns* 12 6 $69,833 $419,000 $160,000 78
Wyndspelle* 5 3 $35,667 $107,000 $65,000 684

*New Zealand First Season Sire

Related posts