First Season Sires Shine at Booming National Weanling Sale
Demand was evident at NZB’s 2026 National Weanling Sale on Thursday, with all key metrics increasing and a total aggregate of $3,593,000 (up 49%) for the 102 weanlings sold at Karaka.
The compact 143-lot catalogue also witnessed an increased average of $35,255 (up 23%), an impressive 89% clearance rate, and a strong buying bench from Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong and Japan.
The highlight of the day came early when Lot 3, a colt by first season sire Chaldean out of Novashow on account of Haunui Farm, was purchased by Mike Fleming of major Australian players Bhima, who secured the quality chestnut colt for $250,000.
“I bought a couple here a few years ago and I’m always happy to come over for the right horse that’s forward and well-moving,” Fleming said.
“This colt’s a lovely horse. I came in yesterday, and with the rain I didn’t get out so I waited until this morning. He was right at the top of my list.
“It’s always hard to know when you’ve got someone on the phone, but we were thinking that with the horse he was, and how he stacked up with the others, he was always going to make that sort of money.
“I suppose when you get to $200,000, you start converting it back to Australian dollars. In the end he probably landed at about $200,000 Aussie,” he added.
The second top lot was secured by Western Australia’s Byerley Bloodstock for $190,000. Lot 141, a son of another first season sire in Paddington, and half-brother to Group One winner Lion’s Roar (NZ) (Contributor), was prepared by Seaton Park.
At the end of selling Paul Pertab was the leading buyer, purchasing three lots for $310,000. Headlined by Lot 16, a colt by the leading sire of the session in Super Seth, who Pertab purchased for $180,000. The colt out of Popular was one of two weanlings to realise $180,000 for the leading sire, with a total of eight lots by Super Seth selling for an average of $120,625.
Coincidingly, the leading vendor by both aggregate and average was Waikato Stud, selling nine lots for $704,500 at an average of $78,278.
“The results today are very encouraging for the season ahead for both the Ready to Run and National Yearling Sale,” commented NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook.
“The first season sires all sold very well, and the only disappointment was that we didn’t have enough horses to sell.
“Hopefully breeders will have a look at the results today and realise the wonderful opportunities that this Sale presents. It’s vital that this physical Weanling Sale continues, so NZB’s goal for next year is to increase the size of the catalogue.”
All weanlings offered are eligible to be nominated for NZB’s lucrative Karaka Millions Series featuring the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and the TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m). Entries close 27 July 2026.
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale is the next Sale to take place, with the catalogue going live on Gavelhouse Plus this Friday 26 June and bidding closing from 6pm (NZT) on Wednesday 8 July. Following this, the 2026 edition of the Ready to Run Sale will take place at the Karaka Sales Centre on Wednesday 18 & Thursday 19 November with Breeze Ups to be held at Te Rapa Racecourse on Monday 12 & Tuesday 13 October.
Entries for Karaka 2027 are now open, with the iconic week of selling taking will take place from 24 - 28 January. Entries close via the NZB Portal at 5pm (NZT) on Monday 13 July.
To enquire about a Passed In Lot, contact Kane Jones on +64 27 274 4985 or email Kane.Jones@nzb.co.nz, or Andy Buick on +64275550640 or email Andrew.Buick@nzb.co.nz.
View the full results click here.
Catch the highlights and Lot-by-Lot footage from the Karaka Summer Sale here.
