Cover image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
At A Glance
The Day 1 aggregate of NZ$22,605,000 is down from last year’s record of NZ$30,725,5000 and is on par with the 2023 first day figure of NZ$22,420,000. In 2025, of the 250 lots catalogued for the first day, 224 yearlings went through the ring compared to 215 in 2024.
Sunday’s average of NZ$172,557 was down on 2024’s day 1 average of NZ$195,704, but is better than the previous two years with an average of NZ$160,143 in 2023, and NZ$159,067 in 2022.
As with the other markers, the median finished lower at NZ$120,000, down from 2024's record of NZ$150,000, and this was also down on both 2023’s median NZ$147,500 and 2022 at NZ$125,000.
At the conclusion of Sunday’s trade, the clearance rate with 164 lots sold sat at 73.6 per cent, was higher than the 155 lots sold in 2024 at 73 per cent, so vendors are meeting the market.
Lot 6 was the Day 1 sale-topper selling to Michael Freedman/Tom Magnier/Mick Wallace for NZ$725,000, which is well down on the 2024 sale topping figure of N$1.6 million. The Wootton Bassett (GB) colt was sold by Curraghmore.
Te Akau’s David Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) was the leading buyer by aggregate on Day 1, spending NZ$2.2 million on 12 yearlings at an average of NZ$168,333. This was down on his Day 1 leading spend of NZ$3.4 million in 2024 at an average of NZ$242,900.
The leading buyer by average (three or more) was Hong Kong Jockey Club; they averaged NZ$436,670 on three yearlings.
The leading vendor by aggregate was Curraghmore, who sold 8 lots for a gross of NZ$2.4 million at an average of NZ$267,500, assisted by the top lot.
The leading sire by aggregate is Proisir whose 14 yearlings on Day 1 sold for NZ$2.55 million, while the leading sire by average (three or more sold) was Wootton Bassett (GB), with four yearlings averaging NZ$496,250.
The leading first season sire was Cambridge Stud’s Sword Of State, whose 11 sales on Day 1 grossed NZ$1.49 million at an average of NZ$139,450.
#1. The vibe is strong
With carparks hard to find, one of the noticeable things about day 1 was the crowd size at the Karaka sale yard. This didn’t translate to the same record figures seen in 2024, but a higher clearance rate shows that the crowds did result in more horses finding new homes.
“The traffic’s been really good through the complex. We’ve noticed that the last year numbers are up on every day, and with both domestic and international buyers. From our end we are very happy with the reception and how our stock have been received,” said Nick Fairweather of Carlaw Park.
Karaka Auditorium on Day 1 | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“I wasn’t there (at Karaka Millions day) but I’ve had good feedback on the night. It sounds like it was a very successful night, especially given prizemoney and how that relates to the sale here. It just continues to build into a very good event and an amazing few days for buyers and vendors alike. Very happy with how it’s been going.”
James Harron has extended his fillies strategy to include the New Zealand Bloodstock sale, and he purchased Lot 168, a Too Darn Hot (GB) filly for NZ$675,000. “It’s great to be back. It’s fantastic, the (New Zealand) horses do the talking. We see how well they perform in the autumn in Sydney, some superstars that we dream about getting our hands on,” said Harron.
“We’ll be looking for what New Zealand does well, the mile and middle distance fillies and Classic types.”
Lot 168 - Too Darn Hot (GB) x On The Ball (NZ) (filly) | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
#2. Ellis is still the King of Karaka
Fresh off his eighth winner in the R. Listed Karaka Millions 2YO on Saturday with La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth), David Ellis resumed his usual position as the leading buyer at the Karaka sale. He opened the sale with strength buying Lots 3 and 4 for NZ$100,000 and NZ$320,000 respectively, then grabbed Lot 55, a Wootton Bassett (GB) filly for NZ$320,000. He ended Day 1 with 12 lots purchased on his own, and another in conjunction with Fortuna Racing.
Gallery: Some of the yearlings purchased by David Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ), images courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“(Lot 55) could run in the race (Karaka Millions) next year, she has a lot of quality. A good mature filly, a lovely moving type and reinforces our opinion that Wootton Bassett is going to be a great sire in Southern Hemisphere, just as he is in the North.” Bought from Landsdowne Park, the filly is out of Lady Iveagh (More Than Ready {USA}), a winning half-sister to Champion 3YO Filly Samantha Miss (Redoute’s Choice) dam of Miss Fabulass (Frankel {GB}).
“This filly was bought from Landsdowne Park, they are a really good operator who breed really good horses. We are thrilled to have her to train.”
On the first day of the sale, Ellis said, “There's been some great buying. The really top horses are making their money, but in the middle of the market, there’s been some great buying. We’ve bought 11 so far and hope to get a few more.”
David Ellis inspecting yearlings at Karaka | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
His 13 purchases ranged from NZ$340,000 to NZ$50,000 and averaged NZ$166,000. His aggregate spend on day 1 of NZ$2.55 million was down on his Day 1 leading spend of NZ$3.4 million in 2024 at an average of NZ$242,900.
#3. Boomer Bloodstock bounced off a great day
Boomer Bloodstock won two of the juvenile races in Australia on Saturday with Shining Smile (Spirit Of Boom) and Open Secret (King’s Legacy), and immediately backed that up with several purchases on Sunday for the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Bred by Mr SB Seamer, Shining Smile was a $160,000 weanling purchase for Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA) from Robyn Wise’s Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale draft in 2023.
“It’s exciting to have a runner in those races and for them to perform how they did was brilliant for the owners and everyone involved,” said Craig Rounsefell of Boomer Bloodstock.
“It’s exciting to have a runner in those (juvenile) races and for them to perform how they did was brilliant for the owners and everyone involved.” - Craig Rounsefell
“Scott Seamer bred Shining Smile, and I’ve bought two out of the mare before. One of the early ones from the mare, he showed a lot of ability, then one night in a storm, he jumped the fence and broke his elbow. He came back as an older horse. He didn’t reach the heights we wanted but he was still a city class horse.
“I bought a filly, a half to Shining Smile, and she had shown a lot of ability and then she had a foot abscess that blew out and she’s just getting back now. So there’s a bit of back knowledge on the family.
“When I saw him, he was an absolute standout as a physical. (Buying) at the weanling sales is not something I do often but I loved him and with the knowledge on the mare, I thought we really should try and buy this horse. Fortunately I had a client, Victor Lee in Hong Kong who came in. After we bought him we sent him to Three Bridges to grow out to be a racehorse in their really big paddocks. He's just one of those sound tough natural 2-year-olds, a good fun horse.
“He’s a colt too, he has a fantastic pedigree too out of a Canny Lad mare, he’s got Vain, and the dam’s a half to the mother of Starspangledbanner. If he can pull it off (the G1 Blue Diamond), he’s got stallion potential too.”
Craig Rounsefell | Image courtesy of Angelique Bridson
Open Secret was offered by Middlebrook Valley Lodge at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale on behalf of breeders M & R Services, where she was bought for $150,000 by her trainer, John Thompson, in conjunction with Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA).
“Open Secret looks a very exciting filly. I’ve started helping John Thompson at the yearling sales and she was lot 1 at the Classic Sale, we just loved her. My dad owns a share, Bill Andrews, Bill Fletcher and others and it was great to get that result. We had another owner in her that got sick, so there was a delay in naming her and she missed those early races before Christmas. We had to tip her out and she’s done that off one trial.”
Boomer Bloodstock purchased three lots on behalf of the Hong Kong Jockey Club for NZ$1.3 million, starting out early with Lot 11, a Savabeel colt who cost NZ$625,000 from Trelawney Stud’s draft. He is the third foal of Listed winner Indecision (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA). “He is a Savabeel colt who is ideal for our program. He is a late November type, a later-maturing type. He is off a great farm in Trelawney, one of the best farms in New Zealand. We just loved him on type. He is a very athletic, sound looking horse with a great temperament.”
Lot 22 followed for NZ$160,000 and he’s a Per Incanto (USA) colt from Elsdon Park’s draft, out of Isla’s Dream (Rothesay) who is a half-sister to Listed winner and G1 ARC Railway S.-placed Evalina (I Am Invincible). The third buy of the day for Hong Kong Jockey Club was Lot 149, and the Satono Aladdin (Jpn) colt cost NZ$525,000.
Gallery: Some of Craig Rounsefell's purchases for the Hong Kong Jockey Club
“This guy, I absolutely loved him, he was the physical we are always looking to see and when I found him, it’s pretty exciting. He’s a stallion whose done very well in this part of the world. From where he started, he’s done such a fantastic job, and with the mare being proven on the cross but he was the right physical which is the main thing, he’s just perfect for our system. He’ll go to the Hong Kong sale in a couple of years.
“The mares proven, the full sibling is a Group 2 winner and I’m really excited to get this one.”
Out of unraced mare No More Doubt (Redoute’s Choice), Lot 149’s 4-year-old full brother Lantern Way (NZ) won the G2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas last season and his granddam is G1 Thorndon Mile winner Say No More (NZ) (Pentire {GB}).
“There’s always opportunities here, but the buying bench is here so for the nice horses, you do have to step up,” said Rounsefell on the state of the market on day one.
#4. Wootton Bassett progeny fly off the shelves
Coolmore Stud struck early in the sale with Lot 6, a Wootton Bassett (GB) colt from Curraghmore’s draft. Bought for NZ$725,000 by Michael Freedman/Tom Magnier/Mick Wallace, the colt is the first foal of Group 2-placed winner Il Affare (Dundeel {NZ}) who is a half-sister to G3 HKJC National Day Cup winner Full Of Beauty (Darci Brahma {NZ}). He remained the sale topper for the whole day.
“I just loved him,” Freedman said. “He’s a lovely moving horse and the stallion couldn’t be going any better.
“I just loved him (Lot 6). He’s a lovely moving horse and the stallion (Wootton Bassett) couldn’t be going any better.” - Michael Freedman
“We’ve known the Coolmore boys for a long time and back in the day, we trained quite a few for them. Tom and I have been chatting for a little while about trying to do something together and obviously he is by their stallion. He was a colt that he really liked, so it just worked out well.”
Mick Price Racing and Breeding purchased Lot 103 for NZ$600,000. “I think he (Wootton Bassett) is an amazing stallion. His stock go very well. He is a beautiful colt and could be a stud type if we get the right form with him,” Price said.
Sold by Windsor Park Stud, Lot 103 is a three-quarter brother to G3 Rotorua S. winner Francesa (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) and they are both out of winning mare Matagouri (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}). This is the family of $1 million earner and G3 Gunsynd Classic winner Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}).
Gallery: Progeny of Wootton Bassett (GB) was in high demand on Day 1, images courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
All up, Wootton Bassett had four yearlings on offer on Day 1, and all four sold for NZ$725,000, NZ$600,000, NZ$340,000 and NZ$320,000. He has six remaining to go through over the next couple of days.
#5. Waikato buyers lead the way
Waikato based buyers led the day with 44 lots purchased for a gross of NZ$6 million, while it was Victoria who led the Australian buyers with 28 lots for a tick over NZ$5 million at an average of NZ$179,000. NSW chimed in at third place by gross with 17 lots bought for NZ$3.97 million at a stronger average than Victoria, being NZ$233,000.
Hong Kong was the leading region for Day 1 by average with 8 lots bought at an average of NZ$356,000.
Lots by buyer location
| Waikato | 44 | $6,045,000 | $137,386 |
| Victoria | 28 | $5,015,000 | $179,107 |
| New South Wales | 17 | $3,970,000 | $233,529 |
| Hong Kong | 8 | $2,855,000 | $356,875 |
| Auckland | 17 | $2,150,000 | $126,471 |
Top buyers
| Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) | 12 | $2,020,000 | $168,333 |
| The Hong Kong Jockey Club | 3 | $1,310,000 | $436,667 |
| Mick Price Racing and Breeding | 5 | $1,185,000 | $237,000 |
| Go Racing / Blandford Bloodstock | 6 | $1,175,000 | $195,833 |
| Mulcaster Bloodstock Ltd / Chris Waller Racing | 5 | $1,160,000 | $232,000 |
| Wexford Stables | 7 | $915,000 | $130,714 |
| Tartan Meadow Bloodstock | 2 | $825,000 | $412,500 |
| Ciaron Maher Bloodstock | 4 | $730,000 | $182,500 |
| Michael Freedman / Tom Magnier / Mick Wallace | 1 | $725,000 | $725,000 |
| James Harron Bloodstock Pty Ltd / Michael Freedman Racing / Tony Fung Filly Partnership | 1 | $675,000 | $675,000 |
Vendors by aggregate
| Curraghmore | 8 | $2,140,000 | $267,500 |
| Haunui Farm | 14 | $1,850,000 | $132,143 |
| Landsdowne Park Ltd | 14 | $1,755,000 | $125,357 |
| Waikato Stud Ltd | 19 | $1,590,000 | $83,684 |
| Rich Hill Stud | 8 | $1,495,000 | $186,875 |
| Hallmark Stud | 11 | $1,460,000 | $132,727 |
| Elsdon Park | 10 | $1,440,000 | $144,000 |
| Riversley Park Ltd | 11 | $1,280,000 | $116,364 |
| Windsor Park Stud | 12 | $1,055,000 | $87,917 |
| Cambridge Stud | 17 | $1,035,000 | $60,882 |
Vendors by average (3 or more sold)
| Curraghmore | 8 | $2,140,000 | $267,500 |
| Rich Hill Stud | 8 | $1,495,000 | $186,875 |
| Trelawney Stud Ltd | 6 | $975,000 | $162,500 |
| Carlaw Park | 5 | $790,000 | $158,000 |
| Lyndhurst Farm | 3 | $450,000 | $150,000 |
| Elsdon Park | 10 | $1,440,000 | $144,000 |
| Hallmark Stud | 11 | $1,460,000 | $132,727 |
| Haunui Farm | 14 | $1,850,000 | $132,143 |
| Landsdowne Park Ltd | 14 | $1,755,000 | $125,357 |
| Milan Park | 4 | $480,000 | $120,000 |
Sires by aggregate
| Proisir | 14 | 11 | $2,550,000 | $231,818 |
| Wootton Bassett (GB) | 4 | 4 | $1,985,000 | $496,250 |
| Savabeel | 15 | 9 | $1,900,000 | $211,111 |
| Hello Youmzain (Fr) | 22 | 16 | $1,785,000 | $111,563 |
| Per Incanto (USA) | 13 | 10 | $1,665,000 | $166,500 |
| Satono Aladdin (Jpn) | 11 | 6 | $1,615,000 | $269,167 |
| Sword of State | 11 | 9 | $1,490,000 | $165,556 |
| Too Darn Hot (GB) | 6 | 4 | $1,315,000 | $328,750 |
| Home Affairs | 9 | 5 | $990,000 | $198,000 |
| Almanzor (Fr) | 16 | 7 | $985,000 | $140,714 |
Sires by average (2 or more sold)
| Proisir | 14 | 11 | $2,550,000 | $231,818 |
| Wootton Bassett (GB) | 4 | 4 | $1,985,000 | $496,250 |
| Savabeel | 15 | 9 | $1,900,000 | $211,111 |
| Hello Youmzain (Fr) | 22 | 16 | $1,785,000 | $111,563 |
| Per Incanto (USA) | 13 | 10 | $1,665,000 | $166,500 |
| Satono Aladdin (Jpn) | 11 | 6 | $1,615,000 | $269,167 |
| Sword of State | 11 | 9 | $1,490,000 | $165,556 |
| Too Darn Hot (GB) | 6 | 4 | $1,315,000 | $328,750 |
| Home Affairs | 9 | 5 | $990,000 | $198,000 |
| Almanzor (Fr) | 16 | 7 | $985,000 | $140,714 |
