Anticipation is building for the 100th edition of New Zealand’s National Yearling Sale, with the catalogue for Karaka 2026 officially unveiled and featuring 1009 yearlings across a restructured and expanded format. Set to run from January 25 to 29 at the Karaka Sales Centre, the milestone sale will coincide with the iconic week on New Zealand’s bloodstock calendar and has been carefully curated to reflect its historic significance. Book 1 will lead proceedings over the Sunday and Monday with 567 yearlings, followed by Book 2’s offering of 281 yearlings across Tuesday. A third selling session – rebranded as the Karaka Summer Sale – returns on Thursday with 161 lots catalogued. The restructure offers a balanced format that caters to a wide range of buyers while acknowledging the momentous occasion. New Zealand Bloodstock Managing Director Andrew Seabrook said the momentum from the record-breaking Ready to Run Sale has flowed directly into preparations for January. “There is a sense of momentum building ahead of Karaka 2026,” he said. “The support and interest from people eager to attend in January, including those that have not been here in a few years, is very encouraging and a sign of how incredible the milestone of 100 National Yearling Sales is.” Seabrook also expressed confidence in the catalogue itself. “Auction houses are renowned for claiming they have assembled their best yearling catalogue, but I’m confident that rings true this year given the increased vendor support, the smaller numbers catalogued and tough selection decisions, which naturally has increased the quality across the board.” Karaka’s success has long rested on its ability to produce winners at every level, and recent results across Australasia and Asia continue to support that reputation. “We’re also incredibly proud of the New Zealand-bred and Karaka graduates over the last twelve months, as they just continue to get results and prove themselves wherever they race,” Seabrook added. As part of the centennial celebrations, the week will open in fitting style with the $4.5 million TAB Karaka Millions raceday at Ellerslie on Saturday, January 24. Featuring the $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), both restricted to sale graduates, the meeting sets the stage for a five-day celebration of New Zealand bloodstock. Selling for Book 1 will begin Sunday and Monday at 10am, followed by Book 2 on Tuesday, with the Karaka Summer Sale rounding out the week on Thursday from 11am. “The new Karaka Summer Sale is a fresh addition to the week, we’ve committed a variety of resources for it, and it has been supported by a number of top vendors,” Seabrook said. “We look forward to seeing everyone back at Karaka to celebrate the 100th National Yearling Sale, and of course to view an incredible line-up of yearlings. If there was ever a year to ensure you’re at Karaka, this is it.”
NEWGringotts Closing on $6m With Gong Win
Tuesday, 18th November 2025
Likely to start the favourite in this Saturday's $1m Gr3 The Gong (1600m) at Kembla Grange and if successful in taking the lucrative first place prize, the Ciaron Maher-trained Gringotts (Per Incanto-Miss Bluebell, by Savabeel) will take his career earnings past $6m. A winner of the Gr1 George Ryder Stakes earlier this year, announcing himself as a potential top line older horse where he defeated Fangirl (Sebring) and Ceolwulf (Tavistock), the gelding was also successful in last year's $1m The Gong off the back of his victory in the $3m Listed Big Dance where he defeated his stablemate Vivy Air (Hellbent). Interestingly, the pair repeated their one-two finish in this year's $3m Big Dance, off the back of Gringotts winning the Listed Big Dance once again, with Vivy Air then going on to win the $2m Listed Five Diamonds at her next start clearly franking the form. So highly thought of is Vivy Air, that the mare will now head to Perth to contest the $1.5m Gr1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) on December 6. One of 35 initial nominations for Saturday's 16 plus four emergencies Kembla Grange feature race, Gringotts has come out of his last start effort in great form with Maher confident ahead of his next assignment. "He's come out of The Big Dance super," Maher told racing.com. "He's probably in career best form."
Al Riffa Set to Rack Up the Miles Again
Tuesday, 18th November 2025
A curious travel path has been mapped out for one of the Melbourne Cup’s headline acts, with Al Riffa returning to Ireland this week ahead of another long-haul flight to Hong Kong next month for a shot at Group 1 redemption in the Hong Kong Vase. Fresh off a 17,000-kilometre trip from Melbourne, the six-year-old touched down in Europe within 24 hours of his Flemington run. But, according to racing.com, the stay will be brief, with a second flight of 10,000 kilometres already scheduled to Hong Kong for the December 14 International Races. Regular European rider Dylan Browne-McMonagle is expected to reunite with the Wootton Bassett entire, having handed the Melbourne Cup ride to Mark Zahra. Carrying topweight of 59 kilograms, Al Riffa was back near last turning in before charging home for seventh, clocking some of the fastest closing sectionals in the field. “We were disappointed with where he finished but not with the performance,” said Australian Bloodstock’s Jamie Lovett. “Under the circumstances, he drew out and they hacked around the back and I knew there was no chance he could win at that stage and I thought he might not even run into it. But his closing sectionals were great. He passed so many horses and came from near last.” The return to Ireland is part of a broader strategy promised by his new part-owners when they acquired him earlier this year. A full global campaign is on the cards for 2026, with Ireland acting as a familiar base between major international targets. “He arrived back in Ireland in the last 24 hours so Joseph will have a good look at him with a view to returning to Hong Kong for the Vase in a month,” Lovett said. “In many ways it’s just easier to get him back to Ireland in familiar surroundings to prepare as it’s still a month away.” Plans for the year ahead include a start at Dubai World Cup Night in March, followed by races mid-year in France and potentially Royal Ascot. If form holds, a tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe may even be considered. “When we purchased the horse, his rating determined that we would space his runs over a year and aim up at some of the world’s best races,” Lovett said. The tactic of returning to Ireland before travelling again is not without precedent – Aidan O’Brien employed the same method with Highland Reel in 2015, sending him home after the Cox Plate before flying to Hong Kong, where he duly won the Vase.
There's a long road ahead for Al Riffa (pic: Australian Bloodstock)
Keep An Eye on Mill Park's Yearling Fillies
Tuesday, 18th November 2025
Renowned as one of the leading breeders of stakes winners, it would be worth keeping an eye on the fillies that Mill Park will offer at the 2026 yearling sale series, especially if you're a breeder looking to add value to your broodmare band for the years to come. While their leading yearling graduate at present is the Yulong raced Angel Capital (Harry Angel) who came close to securing his first Gr1 victory last Saturday when second in the CF Orr Stakes (1400m), it was two Gr1 winners during the Spring that you may not know were from Mill Park raised families. Successful in the Gr1 Moir Stakes before second in the Gr1 Manikato Stakes, Snitzel gelding Baraqiel is out of the Hussonet mare Angel Of Mercy, who was herself a yearling graduate of Mill Park. Sold for $180,000 as a Magic Millions yearling to the Gerald Ryan stable, the mare had a solid race career, winning $531,575 highlighted by success at Gr3 level and also placing in the Gr1 Tatt's Taira before selling as a broodmare prospect for $570,000. As a broodmare she has not only been represented by this season's Gr1 winner Baraqiel but is also the dam of Gr1 ATC Oaks heroine Autumn Angel (The Autumn Sun). Another who traces back is recent Gr1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Tentyris (Street Boss), the highest Timeform Rated 3yo so for this season. His granddam is the four-time Gr1 winner Divine Madonna who was sold through Mill Park's Magic Millions Adelaide yearling sale draft for just $82,500. Upon her retirement from the track which netted connections over $2m in earnings, she was sold for $2.7m as a broodmare to Darley, who have started their own dynasty with the mare. Interestingly both Baraqiel and Tentyris are related with former's dam Angel Of Mercy being out of a half-sister to Divine Madonna. With 16 entries for January's Magic Millions, six of which are fillies, breeders looking for families with longevity should surely be intrigued by their draft.
Forest View Farm Are in The Pound Seat
Tuesday, 18th November 2025
Momentum continues to build around next weekend's Gr1 Railway Stakes, but in the meantime, Forest View Farm had reason to celebrate on another at Ascot in Perth. While their Gr1-bound graduate Super Smink enjoyed a quiet weekend ahead of her return, stablemate Fast Harry stepped up in her absence to deliver a fourth successive win and further highlight the strength of the Forest View draft. The progressive gelding claimed the Drummond Golf Handicap (1400m) by a head under Willie Pike after surging late from a wide alley and overcoming top-weight. By Harry Angel out of Helmaski, Fast Harry has now earned over $91,000 from six starts. Williams Racing purchased him for $72,500 from Forest View's 2023 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale draft, and co-trainer Grant Williams noted the gelding's development has taken time. "He'll be put away after a couple more runs for a winter prep," he said. Pike was equally encouraged. "I thought he was up against it today with top-weight and an outside gate. It took him the length of the straight to put them away but I think there's a bit of class there." Attention now shifts to the stable's headline mare, with Super Smink safely locked in as a $7 second favourite for the $1.5 million Railway Stakes (1600m) on Saturday. The daughter of Super One resumed this campaign with a strong victory in the Gr2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) on November 8, confirming the stable's belief that she's returned better than ever. Her record as a juvenile was elite – wins in the Magic Millions Classic, Karrakatta Plate and WA Sires' Produce Stakes – but after a patchy autumn, trainer Dan Morton never wavered. "From what she did early on and to be still going is tremendous," he said. "She's fit so it's our job to tick every box. We were aware she might be penalised for the win but these races are worth proper money. She's going super and we're looking forward to the Railway." That belief is shared by regular rider Chris Parnham, who has partnered her throughout. "She's pretty genuine and is capable of winning a Group 1," he said. "I think she's good enough to do it in the Railway." Bought for just $45,000 from Forest View at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Super Smink has now banked $1.52 million. Her yearling half-sister by Playing God remains with the Duncans at their south-west property.
Super Smink is set for the Gr1 Railway Stakes (pic: RTS)
Baker's Euripedes Leads Home Juvenile Trial
Tuesday, 18th November 2025
Monday morning's Hawkesbury barrier trials produce a host of up-and-coming runners, and in particular for the Bjorn Baker yard with 2YO colt Euripedes (Street Boss-Manicure, by Exceed And Excel) winning the lone trial for the juvenile runners. Having already shown his hand with success for Godolphin through last Saturday's Gr3 Spring Stakes winner Green Spaces (Street Boss) as well as the battle-hardened Pericles (Street Boss), a winner of the Gr2 Tramway Stakes before a third, fourth and second placed finish in three consecutive Gr1 races, connections must feel the Warwick Farm based trainer has a penchant for the progeny of Street Cry's son Street Boss! Going to the trials for the second occasion, having finished second last time out behind $750,000 Inglis Easter yearling purchase Tennebaum (Snitzel), the Rachel King ridden colt jumped away well from the barriers on Monday, going forward to settle in third position closest to the inside rail. With trial leader Internal Affairs (Home Affairs-Kononkop, by Pure Prize) racing quite a few horses off the rail, King was able to bring Euripedes along the inside, to pull away and score by a half-length margin. The third named foal out of the Gr3-winning Exceed And Excel mare Manicure, a sister to the Gr3 winner Barber, Euripedes cames from a handy black type pedigree as it is also the family of the Gr1 Makybe Diva Stakes winner Gatting (Hard Spun).
Rey Magnerio Chases Elusive Group 1
Tuesday, 18th November 2025
With the Melbourne Spring carnival having drawn to a close with the running of the CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield last Saturday, connections of various runners will now switch their focus to the lucrative Western Australian feature races. One such trainer is Robbie Griffiths who has sent Rey Magnerio (Magnus-Luchardo, by Testa Rossa) west to chase success in the Gr1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) on November 29. Griffiths indicated that he could've stayed in Victoria and gone after consecutive wins in the $1m The Meteorite (1200m) at Cranbourne, but securing an elite level victory superseded staying put. Having left Victoria on Sunday, and going via Sydney, Rey Magnerio arrived in Perth on Monday night. Opening his Spring campaign with an impressive win the Gr2 Caulfield Sprint (1000m), the 6YO gelding went into the Listed Century Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on VRC Oaks as the favourite, but after an impeded run he flashed home for third. "He should have won easily," Griffiths told racing.com. "He just got into awkward spots, and in a 1000 metre race, you can't have anything go wrong." While heading to the Winterbottom and tackling the local Western Australian sprinters is a bit of an unknown, Rey Magnerio did finish third in the Gr1 Oakleigh Plate earlier this year behind last Saturday's CF Orr Stakes winner Jimmysstar (Per Incanto), highlighting his Gr1 class. "We kept him at the 1,000 so he didn't have too many hard runs; he had a pretty solid run at Caulfield first up," Griffiths said. "That way it gives him an extra couple of days to recover, knowing that he's got to travel for the first time, so we thought that was a better lead in run to the Winterbottom." With earnings already surpassing $1.1m, the gelding looks in career best form with connections surely hoping for some better luck when he lines up at Ascot.
There's a Group 1 with Rey Magnerio's name on it (pic: Mark Gatt)
Baker Dominates Hawkesbury Trials
Tuesday, 18th November 2025
Winning six of the 11 trials that he had runners at on Monday morning at Hawkesbury, Bjorn Baker appears to have a host of progressive runners set to play a role in races over the coming summer months. A winner at his only start, 3YO gelding Big Papa (Astern-Papilio, by Redoute's Choice) was having his second trial this time in, having won his November 5 trial by almost six lengths before kicking clear on Monday under Rachel King to pull ahead by a length and three quarters from stablemate Bat Out Of Hell (Hellbent). Having his second trial for Baker after Darby Racing purchased the 4YO from Godolphin, Snack Bar (Frosted-Estaminet, by Lonhro) came around the field late to chase down last start Bathurst winner Don'tcallmekathy (D'Argento) to pull away by a little over a length and a quarter. Another from the stable who looked good winning their trial was the unraced 3YO gelding Monotone (Lonhro-Chanting, by Epaulette). Bred and raced by Godolphin, the gelding had finished second in his only previous trial behind Lontrice (D'Argento), with that Hawkes Racing trained gelding coming out on Friday night and finishing a close up third on debut. From the family of Champion 2YO colt and Gr1 winner Microphone (Exceed And Excel), Monotone has pedigree on his side (albeit he's a gelding) and connections will surely be anticipating his racetrack debut in the coming weeks.
Inglis Releases Classic Yearling Sale Online
Tuesday, 18th November 2025
A sale that continues to punch above its weight has once again assembled a formidable line-up for 2026, with the Classic Yearling Sale catalogue now available online ahead of the three-day auction at Riverside Stables in Sydney from February 8 to 10. This year’s renewal features 798 lots by 113 individual sires, headlined by some of Australasia’s most sought-after names including Extreme Choice, Snitzel, I Am Invincible, Zoustar, Too Darn Hot, Wootton Bassett and Written Tycoon. Buyers will also find progeny by globally recognised stallions such as Justify, Ghaiyyath, Street Boss, and Toronado, along with proven local sires like Proisir, Super Seth, and Per Incanto. First season stallions are also well represented, with 14 newcomers to the sale ring including Anamoe, Artorius, Jacquinot, In The Congo, Hitotsu, and State Of Rest. A total of 74 vendors are presenting yearlings, with most lots eligible for bonus schemes such as BOBS, VOBIS Silver, QTIS, Westspeed and Racing Rewards SA. While the top-end sires attract plenty of attention, value remains the sale’s enduring hallmark. Since 2018, Classic has produced 24 Group 1 winners – 13 of which were sourced for $100,000 or less. The average price of an Australian stakes winner emerging from this sale sits at an extremely affordable $113,594. Recent examples include Group 1 stars Pride Of Jenni ($100,000), Sepals ($80,000), Private Harry ($115,000), and Skybird ($110,000), while the Hong Kong ranks continue to benefit from Classic’s reach, led by triple crown hero Voyage Bubble, one of 199 individual winners of 531 races in that jurisdiction alone since 2018. Graduate momentum continues to build across all tiers of racing, from two-year-old features through to weight-for-age and staying contests. Recent winners include Veight, Celestial Legend, Beauty Eternal, Rivellino, Coco Sun, Savvy Hallie, Idle Flyer, Raging Force, Salty Pearl, and Arkansaw Kid, with the sale also producing no fewer than 41 individual millionaires in the last six years. As a source of future stallions, Classic holds its own too, having launched the careers of Extreme Choice, I Am Invincible, Choisir, Castelvecchio, Cosmic Force, and Brazen Beau. Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch noted, “Classic doesn’t need to be ‘sold’ to breeders or vendors anymore, it’s a sale that they want to be involved in and so the quality of yearlings in the sale improves year after year. It’s a sale that attracts a very cosmopolitan buying bench and we feel having a well-diversified catalogue is particularly important, so to have 113 individual sires and 74 individual vendors represented is a very pleasing outcome.
Pride of Jenni sold for $100,000 (pic: Mark Gatt)
Nadal Can Redeem Himself in Metorite Defense
Tuesday, 18th November 2025
Redemption will be top of mind when last year’s Meteorite winner, Nadal, returns to Cranbourne on Saturday in defence of his crown, despite having turned in an underwhelming performance at Flemington earlier this month that ranks among the worst of his career. Conditions on November 8 proved less than ideal, with the son of Xtravagant finishing well down the order on a heavy9 surface in the Listed Century Stakes. But trainer Ciaron Maher, who has again partnered with slot-holders for the $1 million Meteorite, remains confident the gelding can bounce back sharply on firmer ground. “The heavy track could possibly have been the difference, although he does like a bit of give,” Maher said. “Maybe it was a bit wet for him, but I was disappointed with his run as we know he’s got it there.” The trainer noted that the horse’s work leading into that race had been good, but he simply failed to fire when it counted. “The Meteorite will be a vastly different race, and I am expecting a different result.” Unlike at Flemington, where he was caught without cover in unsuitable conditions, Maher believes Saturday’s race profile is far more forgiving. “It’s at Cranbourne with the pace on and at Flemington he was exposed with no cover, and it was probably wetter than he wanted,” he said. “There is always pace on [at Cranbourne]. He will be ridden where he lands again and that race shape really suits him.” While his spring form on paper reads poorly – last of 11 at Flemington and fifth first-up in the Gr2 Schillaci Stakes – Maher maintains the latter effort was deceptively strong. “He ran a similar number first-up this prep (to his Meteorite win),” he said. “It looked plain to the eye, but his number was similar.” Final slot selections for the 14-horse Meteorite field will be confirmed at a Cranbourne Turf Club function on Wednesday, with special gallops scheduled for the course proper on Tuesday morning. Southside Racing has snapped up talented Pakenham-based sprinter Stretan Angel, while other likely contenders include Jigsaw, Zou Sensation, Arkansaw Kid, Need Some Luck, and Watchme Win. Maher could also feature prominently in the $500,000 Cranbourne Cup (1600m) later in the day, with Flemington winner Warnie a probable runner. “I think Warnie will go to the Cranbourne Cup as he’s won at a mile and he should be suited there as he needs some pace on,” Maher said.
Zac Purton Bags a Treble at Sha Tin
Tuesday, 18th November 2025
Momentum in the Four-Year-Old Classic Series picture continued to build at Sha Tin on Saturday, where Patch Of Stars took out the Class 2 Lukfook Jewellery Cup Handicap (1200m) in style, landing the first leg of a treble for Zac Purton and lifting the seasonal tally for trainer Manfred Man. Drawn awkwardly in gate nine, the All Too Hard gelding needed early navigation, but Purton settled him perfectly behind the speed before launching powerfully in the straight to score with authority. According to hjkc.com, It was the gelding’s second win since being promoted to Class 2 and offered further proof that the drop back to sprint trips suits. “I think 1200 metres is good for him,” Man said. “In the Class 3 1400 metres, he was favourite twice and was only second and sixth. Back at 1200 metres, he won a Class 3 and was promoted today and won again, so I think it’s the best distance for him.” The victory also sealed a double for Man, whose earlier runner Double Win was steered to success by Hollie Doyle in the 2000m Class 4 Love Is Beauty Collection Handicap. Several others laid down credible markers for upcoming targets, including Invincible Shield and Aeris Nova, who charged into the placings behind Patch Of Stars and remain firmly on track for December’s LONGINES Hong Kong International Races. Purton’s second winner came aboard Supreme Agility in the Class 4 Heirloom Fortune Collection Handicap (1650m, dirt), giving the persistent gelding his breakthrough win at start 24. Trainer Pierre Ng, relieved to see the perseverance pay off, said, “I remember Zac rode him last season when he was just not mature yet. Now he’s more straightforward. He’s been very consistent in the last couple of runs. Luckily, the owner had patience, and he got the win today.” The treble was completed in the Class 3 Night Banquet In Tang Palace Collection Handicap (1600m), where Beauty Bolt justified favouritism under a well-timed ride. Trained by Tony Cruz, the promising type continues to rise through the grades. While Purton remains well clear in the championship race, the bigger picture revolves around Hong Kong’s rich winter program, and several of the weekend performers look poised to play key roles.
