The Gobal Allure of the Karaka Experience

2024’s buying bench can experience the pinnacle of equine sales at Karaka, a southern gem near Auckland. Casting itself as 'the paramount week on the sales calendar,' New Zealand Bloodstock's National Yearling Sales Series promises an exceptional six-day odyssey marked by the opulent commencement of the TAB Karaka Millions Raceday, renowned as the richest sporting spectacle in New Zealand. Setting the stage for Karaka 2024 is the TAB Karaka Millions Raceday, a dynamic horse racing event featuring a large total stake of $4.45 million. This high-energy affair includes the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), and the inaugural $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) for four-year-olds, held at the revamped Ellerslie Racecourse on Saturday, January 27. The subsequent day heralds the start of the National Yearling Sales, where over 1100 premier yearlings from New Zealand take center stage in the esteemed Sir Patrick Hogan auditorium at the Karaka Sales Centre, poised to become future racetrack luminaries. Beyond the equine spectacle, the DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka offers an idyllic setting nestled within the picturesque precincts of NZB's Karaka Sales Centre. Boasting 122 rooms, including lavish suites and a Presidential Suite, the hotel features amenities such as a striking swimming pool, outdoor bar, spacious gym, Horseshoe Bar, Ethereal Artisan Kitchen, and expansive entertaining areas with outdoor fireplaces. An integral facet of the Karaka experience is the vendors' lavish hospitality marquees, offering a unique opportunity for enthusiasts to indulge in gourmet delicacies and Kiwi favourites while forging connections with the personalities behind the stud farms.

Karaka has a special atmosphere that's difficult to replicate (pic: nzb.co.nz)