The first day of this year’s Karaka Yearling Sale was a record-breaker.
Day One of Karaka 2024's Book 1 Sale reflected ongoing industry positivity with several records broken and key sale indicators increasing.
At the close of trade for the opening session, the aggregate reached a Day One record of $30,725,500 while the average reached a record $195,704, a 37% and 22% increase respectively on last year.
The highlight of the day came early, when Lot 21, a full-sister to the superstar mare Prowess (NZ) (Proisir x Donna Marie) was knocked down to Peter Moody for NZ$1.6 million, the highest price recorded for a filly sold at Karaka.
"She's an absolute princess," commented Moody.
"She is a full-sister to a Group One winner, which is a bonus. She was the one we wanted and we are so glad to get her."
Lot 144 was secured by Chris Waller and Guy Mulcaster for $900,000.
The second highest-priced lot of the day came when Chris Waller and Guy Mulcaster combined to secure Lot 144 for $900,000. A daughter of Rich Hill Stud's hot young sire Satono Aladdin out of O'Reilly mare Inthespotlight.
"We identified her quite early. We got blown out of the water on Lot 21, so we knew we'd be going after this filly," commented Mulcaster.
"Breeders are realising that quality fillies in Australia are expensive and hard to get so those putting them to the market are reaping the rewards."
The Chris Waller Racing and Guy Mulcaster combination was one of the strongest international buyers of the day, securing six lots for a total $2.7 million.
But it was Karaka kingpin, Te Akau Racing's David Ellis who came out on top, spending $3.4 million across 14 lots on the first day.
NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook was encouraged by the strong results.
"It was an amazing Sale today, turning over $30 million, we've never done that in any day's trading at Karaka."
"That is up seven and a half million on last year's figures and the average is up about thirty thousand, so a really pleasing day.
"For the vendors, everyone has been rewarded from Barn A to Barn I, buyers are finding their horses from all corners."
