Potential Karaka Stars Hiding in Plain Sight

Recent results at Riccarton have underlined again that Book 2 of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale is far more than a supporting act, with the New Zealand 2000 Guineas trifecta all sourced from its 2024 catalogue. Buyers looking for the next Romanoff, Affirmative Action or Shoma will have their chance when a streamlined Book 2 returns to Karaka in 2026. Staged as a one day session on Tuesday 27 January, the reworked sale will present a tight, select catalogue of 280 yearlings. The focus is firmly on quality, with pedigrees stacked with black type and close relations to some of Australasia’s most progressive performers. Book 2’s recent honour roll is headed by the Riccarton one–two–three, purchased for $75,000, $115,000 and $20,000 respectively before filling the placings in the $700,000 New Zealand 2000 Guineas. Those results have sharpened interest in the next wave, which again features siblings and close relatives to a host of stakes winners. Among them is Lot 613, a Divine Prophet colt from the Mapperley Stud draft, a half-brother to multiple Group One winner Snazzytavi whose nine victories include the Zabeel Classic, Livamol Classic and Cal Isuzu Stakes. Another half-sister, Le Societe, was stakes placed and has produced black type, while their dam Ritzy Lady added a Listed win to the family page. Further down the catalogue, an Ardrossan colt catalogued as Lot 572 comes from a mare who is a half-sister to the dam of recent Railway Stakes hero Watch Me Rock, linking him to one of Perth’s headline milers. Ardrossan also features as the sire of Lot 624, a filly out of Group Three winner Seven Schillings, already responsible for Group Two winner Emily Margaret and stakes performer Heptagon, with Emily Margaret in turn the dam of stakes placed Ha’penny Hatch. Pedigree hunters will also note Lot 633, a Sword Of State colt from a half-sister to brilliant triple Group 1 mare Sunlight and fellow stakes winners Sisstar and Clean Energy, all by Zoustar. Another highlight is Lot 655, a half-brother to Crystal Mile winner Von Hauke, whose Group 2 success at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day added further shine to the family. Depth continues late in the session. Lot 737, an Acrobat colt, is a three-quarter brother to Levin Classic winner Age Of Fire and also a three-quarter brother to the dam of Wakeful Stakes heroine Amazonian Lass, while Lot 785 is a Tarzino colt out of New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner and NZB Filly of the Year Insouciant. Taken together, the pedigrees on offer confirm that the 2026 renewal at the Karaka Sales Centre from 25 to 29 January, with Book 2 set down for Tuesday 27 January, will again give buyers serious access to Group class families in depth for both domestic and international investors.