With a series of spring racetrack successes followed by a blockbuster Ready to Run Sale, the New Zealand thoroughbred industry has been on a high in recent weeks, and now New Zealand Bloodstock is keen to keep that momentum rolling through to its main event — Karaka 2023.
A star-studded catalogue has been unveiled for the 97th National Yearling Sales Series, which returns to its traditional timeslot in late January. The stage is set for a six-day selling extravaganza, with Book 1 running from January 29-31 and Book 2 February 1-3.
The quality of the New Zealand thoroughbred has been clear for all to see on the big stage in Australia this spring, and Book 1 of Karaka 2023 will shine a spotlight on yearling siblings to the likes of A$10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) hero I Wish I Win, Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) winner and Cox Plate (2040m) runner-up I’m Thunderstruck and elite-level performers Mo’unga and Mr Brightside.
Karaka 2023 marks a return to normal following an unprecedented sale this year, which was shifted to March due to restrictions arising from Covid-19 and was also closed to the general public.
Another impact of the pandemic in recent seasons has been the absence of international buyers, whose last visit to a Karaka yearling sale was in January of 2020. Last week’s successful Ready to Run Sale clearly showed what a difference that foreign flavour makes at the sales complex, and New Zealand Bloodstock is looking forward to welcoming a full complement of overseas buyers back through its doors in January.