AT the close of Wednesday’s third and final session of Book 1 of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka Yearling sale, almost NZ$80 million had been grossed from 473 yearlings sold of 607 offered, a 14% increase on 2023. The clearance rate of 78% matched last year’s, while the average increased 11% to $168,257.

“To increase the turnover by $9.5 million is a great result to go back into the pockets of our vendors,” said NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook.

“Seventeen yearlings sold for $500,000 or more, in comparison to six during last year’s sale. The Australian spend was up $7 million, while the domestic bench was up $2 million on last year. There’s an energy, a vibe and an enthusiasm in the New Zealand industry at the minute.”

Top lot

The top lot for the sale was the Proisir filly out of Donna Marie, a full-sister to the 2023 dual Group 1 winner Prowess, bought by Peter Moody Racing for $1,600,000.

The leading vendor was Windsor Park Stud who grossed $8.73 million from their 59 yearlings to sell.

Wootton Bassett was the leading first season sire, his seven sold yearlings averaging $328,571, while Proisir was the leading New Zealand-based sire with 27 of his 32 yearlings selling at an average of $274,444.

Orchestral on tune

CO-trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood competed back-to-back wins in the Karaka Millions 3YO when their Savabeel filly Orchestral matched the feat of Prowess 12 months earlier.

Second favourite in the NZ$1.5 million event over Ellerslie’s 1,600 metres, Orchestral made a decisive move from mid-field that had her poised on the final bend.

Accelerating in style under James McDonald, Orchestral had the race won a long way out, putting a three-length margin into the second-placed US Navy Flag gelding Pendragon with the Swiss Ace gelding Just As Sharp third.

Loyal owners

“We buy only six or eight (yearlings) a year, and it means so much to have such loyal owners who are prepared to back us to buy the horses that we want,” said Roger James.

“To win New Zealand’s richest race two years in a row is something that dreams are made of. It was some performance. Silent Achiever and Prowess (both trained by James) were both multiple Group 1 winners, which is something this filly still has to do. But on what she’s done so far, there’s every reason to think that she can get there.”

Purchased for $625,000 at the 2022 Karaka Yearling Sale, Orchestral has won three of her six starts.

Velocious wins Millions

“THIS is bloody great,” said James McDonald on dismounting after winning the NZ$1 million 2YO Karaka Millions at Ellerslie last Saturday aboard the Stephen Marsh-trained Velocious. “This race has eluded me a little bit and I’ve finished second a few times. I was on the right filly today, trained to the absolute minute. She gave me a beautiful ride today and produced the goods. It was unreal.

“Ellerslie was my headquarters growing up. It was my favourite track and it still is. To get success here is just awesome. There’s nothing like home. Even though I live in Australia these days, it’s always great to come back and win races, especially big ones. That crowd is massive!”

Purchased for $190,000 from Karaka Book 1 last year Velocious has now won three from four having been sent out a $2 favourite. Winning by two lengths, Te Akau’s Savabeel filly Damask Rose was consigned to second ahead of the Cosmic Force gelding Full Force in third.

DESERT Lightning, a gelding by Pride Of Dubai and trained by Peter and Dawn Williams, took out the inaugural running of the NZ$1 million Aotearoa Classic at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Held over 1,600 metres at set-weights for four-year-olds, Desert Lightning defeated the Prosir filly Legarto and the Charm Spirit gelding Rudyard.

“This is a very good horse,” said jockey Vinnie Colgan. “His (last start Group 1) TAB Classic win was outstanding. I know he hadn’t run for seven or eight weeks in between times, but I rode him in a gallop two weeks ago and I knew they had him peachy-perfect.”

RACING New Zealand in conjunction with TAB New Zealand and Entain Group have announced New Zealand Bloodstock as sponsors of a new slot race, the NZB Kiwi, which at a value of NZ$3.5 million, rising to $4.5 million in 2027, making it the richest three-year-old race in the southern hemisphere.

The inaugural slot race will headline a major revamp of the New Zealand summer racing calendar next year, with The NZB Kiwi the centrepiece of a ‘Champions Day’ to be held in March 2025.

Eoin Walsh settles in

EOIN Walsh is the latest Irish-born latest jockey attempting to make a mark in Australia and had his first metropolitan ride at The Valley on Friday.

The Irishman arrived in Australia last year. The 29-year-old has been staying with fellow jockey and friend Declan Bates since his arrival in Ballarat.

“He (Bates) loves the place and he says it’s always a great atmosphere on a Friday night,” he said.

He rode in the third race of the evening when he partnered the Anthony Cosgriff-trained Attaboom. Walsh will be hoping to win earlier in the day at Werribee on board the Paul Preusker-trained Sunny Times. Walsh has enjoyed two wins since he resumed race riding down under.