Karaka 2026 – a Century of NZ Bloodstock

“Celebrate with us,” says New Zealand Bloodstock, “as Karaka 2026 marks the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand at the Karaka Sales Centre from 25 – 29 January 2026.”

“Yes, a century of thoroughbred excellence has shaped the National Yearling Sales Series – first Guineas to Dollars, then Trentham to Karaka and Wrightsons to New Zealand Bloodstock.”

“It’s the beating heart of trade within the New Zealand breeding and racing industry, where breeder meets buyer, where years of careful planning and preparation meets astute judgement and ambition.”

“In celebrating where winning begins, it’s sale ring moments that produced many legends of the racetrack, among them the titans Phar Lap, Rising Fast, Tulloch, Dulcify, Octagonal and So You Think.”

“Let’s raise a glass to one hundred years of rich history, and make it a double, to toast the future of the National Yearling Sales Series as the legacy of the New Zealand thoroughbred continues to unfurl.”

And with all yearlings purchased being eligible for the Karaka Million Series, it’s the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) that is the highlight of Trentham on Saturday.

All yearlings are eligible for the Karaka Million Series featuring the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) in addition to the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m).

The NZB Mega Maiden Bonus Series with $1m in bonuses is open across 40 maiden races each season.

And with David Ellis of Te Akau Racing looking for a record nine Karaka Millions 2YO victories, it’s his unbeaten Eclipse Stakes winner Kinnaird who is $4 favourite with Australian wagering agencies.

Again to be ridden by Opie Bosson for Matamata-based trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, he’ll start from barrier two of 16 runners having been a $340,000 graduate of Karaka Book 1 in 2025.

Consigned by Highview Stud, he’s a half-brother to the Australian Derby winner Jon Snow, sired by the highly fashionable Home Affairs whose yearlings sold up to $700,000 at the Gold Coast.

Also a half-sister to the stakes winner Princess Rhaenys, he’s from the winning O’Reilly mare Orinda, the family of New Zealand Oaks winner Solveig and the grandam of Sydney Cup winner Gallic.

And with Te Akau chasing back-to-back victories in the Karaka Millions 2YO after winning last year with La Dorada, the powerhouse stable previously won seven straight editions of the race from 2018 to 2024.

Also representing Te Akau is last-start Wellesley Stakes third placegetter Out Of The Blue at $19, having been unbeaten in both starts including the Pearl Series 2YO Stakes, and he will be ridden by Craig Williams.

Jumping from barrier 16 and carrying the males’ weight of 57kg, against the fillies’ 55kg, the colt was a $60,000 2025 Book 1 purchase for Waikato Stud and is by Tivaci.

With his Ardrossan half-brother selling on Day 2 of Book 1 Karaka 2026, he is out of the Group 1-placed, Group 2-winning Savabeel mare Cornflower Blue, from the family of Group 1 winners Tiger Tees and Terra Vista.

Rounding out Te Akau’s trio is the $46 chance Zaharias for jockey Rory Hutchings and trainers Walker and Bergerson, having been placed in all three starts and jumping from barrier 14.

A bay filly by leading First Season Sire Super Seth, she was a $60,000 Karaka Book 1 2025 purchase and is out of the stakes-winning Flying Spur mare Green Roller, from the family of Group 1 winner Ugo Foscolo.

And as New Zealand Bloodstock notes: “On average, New Zealand-bred horses earned 58% more than Australian-breds during the 2024–25 season in Australia – with 50% of all Australian Group 1 races over 1600m last season won by New Zealand thoroughbreds.”