Optimism at many levels in countdown to National Yearling Sales Series

Pre-sale expectations are never easy to foretell, however days out from the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales Series, Andrew Seabrook finds himself in a positive frame of mind.
The managing director of the country’s premier auction house points to a standout 2022-23 season by New Zealand horses in Australia, a record-breaking Ready to Run Sale at Karaka in November, impressive sire depth and overall quality in the catalogue that will go before an international buying bench when the sale kicks off on Sunday morning, and massive boosts to domestic racing in the six months that have followed the formation of the strategic partnership between the New Zealand TAB and international betting provider Entain.
“In my 31 years here, I don’t think I’ve seen such positive vibes as what’s out there now,” Seabrook told RaceForm. “The joint venture with Entain came in the nick of time, our domestic industry was really struggling, and now look where we are.
“There’s a whole new attitude amongst our stakeholders and when you look at the results from our Ready to Run Sale you can’t help but feel optimistic. That 40 per cent lift in results put another $10 million in vendors’ pockets, and that’s got to be great for pinhookers, breeders, across the board.
“At any sale the top of the catalogue will always appeal to buyers, but the impact of the Ready to Run Sale combined with the surge in domestic stakes augurs well for that middle market.”
Last season was a landmark period for New Zealand horses in Australia, headlined by a raft of major wins by a quartet of locally-trained, owned and bred three-year-olds.
“Our horses have always performed well in Australia and elsewhere, but last season was like the good old days, when New Zealand-trained horses like Legarto, Sharp ’N’ Smart, Prowess and Pennyweka could head across and do what they did, that really does put the spotlight on the quality of the horses we produce here.”
Seabrook points to New Zealand’s current stallion depth, headed by perennial star Savabeel and the big mover in sire ranks, Proisir, as a genuine positive, while also recognising the Australian sire content in the Karaka catalogue.
“I believe our stallion strength has not been as good for a long time – we’ve got some fantastic established and emerging sires to draw upon – and of course it’s always good to have that smattering of leading Australian sires there too.”
Seabrook and NZB’s Sydney-based Mike Kneebone attended the first major thoroughbred auction of the year, the Gold Coast Magic Millions earlier this month, and came away knowing they were being heard.
“Mike and I received a very good response at the Gold Coast, the Aussies wanted to talk about our sale, they’re well aware of what we’ve got to offer. I’m confident they’ll be here in strong numbers, and after coming out of the Covid period I haven’t had that feeling for a long time.”
New Zealand Bloodstock has been to the forefront over many years in efforts to incentivise domestic racing, and in recent months has joined the new impetus inspired by Entain’s arrival. NZB Insurance has under-written the Pearl Series Bonus scheme since inception, leading to a recent doubling in payments to fillies and mares participating in the nationwide series.
The jewel in the crown of NZB’s involvement has over the past decade and a half been the iconic Karaka Millions twilight meeting that heralds the National Yearling Sales Series. From a single Karaka sales graduates’ race with a stake of $1 million, to seven-figure races for both two and three-year-olds and now a $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO and the inaugural $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic for four-year-olds, total stakes on offer at Saturday’s Karaka Millions meeting will be $4.45 million.
On Monday at Ellerslie, New Zealand Bloodstock’s input was further emphasised with the unveiling of New Zealand thoroughbred racing’s first slot race – and Australasia’s richest race for three-year-olds – the $4.5 million NZB Kiwi.
That race for New Zealand-bred as well as Karaka-sourced horses is the linchpin to another innovation in the raft of major stakes announcements, Champions Day at Ellerslie in March 2025. A nine-race card headed by the NZB Kiwi and four Group One races will offer stakes of more than $9 million and the following year that is forecast to increase past the $10 million mark.
“New Zealand Bloodstock has a history of supporting racing through sponsorship and other industry incentives,” Seabrook said. “Now to see the momentum that has developed off the back of Entain’s involvement, it’s fantastic to get the opportunity to put our support behind the NZB Kiwi.
“Racing has some exciting times ahead of it and right now we’re looking forward to showcasing our industry to an international audience at the Karaka Millions on Saturday.”
The National Yearling Sales Series comprises Book 1 from Sunday through Tuesday, followed by Book 2 from Wednesday through Friday. It should be noted that Book 1 selling commences each day at 10am.