Karaka 2026

[Palatable]

As the 100th National Yearling sale kicks off tomorrow I thought I'd reflect on some thoughts on the 1000+ catalogue.

* The first year of Savabeel's reduction in volumes is leaving the sale a little exposed on top talent. He wasn't going to keep his volumes up forever, and we have an heir apparent in Proisir ready, but it still feels like a little gap is opening up in the top class.

* Lucky Home Affairs is hitting his stride though. He's the most represented Aussie stallion, so should get a lot of interest.

* Hard to pick the top lots. I guess we have sisters to Prowess and Campionessa that'll get some nods. The Wootton Bassett-Zayydani at 241 or Amarelinha's Snitzel colt at 265 could be possibilities.

* I can't see much more variety in the bloodlines coming through. Northern Dancer, Turn-To and Mr. Prospector lines remain in force. A couple of names from other lines that seem more prevalent lately are Canny Lad and Rory's Jester. It's at the point where Canny Lad is the most prevalent representative left of the once dominant Star Kingdom line, helped by being Redoute's Choice's damsire. I think I've overlooked Canny Lad until now. Likewise Rory's Jester is helping keep the once common Nasrullah lines alive.

* I score all the lots from 0-3 based on my sense of the balance in the breeding and the quality in the broodmare line. The stallions with 5+ lots that I have at the top average were a bit unexpected - Divine Prophet (2.71), Noverre (2.53), Acrobat (2.5), Proisir (2.46) and Ocean Park (2.45), with those at the bottom War Decree (1.4), U.S. Navy Flag (1.4), Maurice (1.4), Toronado (1.5) and Shocking (1.5).

* Speaking of Shocking, worse than having an underwhelming broodmare match, he seems shockingly underrepresented with only five yearlings, two in the Summer Sale. Coming off another successful year he deserved a lot better. The other stallions underrepresented are Shamexpress, who had a Ka Ying Rising-inspired boost in the barn that's not translating into Karaka yet, and El Roca who slips to a low six and continues to fly under the radar despite just landing today's Karaka Million winner.

* As far as stud representation goes, Westbury Farm have the biggest drop year on year in volumes - they did have a bumper 2025 but are overdue a new stallion. Interesting to see The Oaks are down to just 12 lots. Meanwhile Cambridge Stud leapt the most - they stand an outside chance to take the top vendor off Waikato for the first time in years. 

 

[Widenocover]

Nice summary Palatable  - thank you. 

Blimin heck, Steve Davis is different gravy isn't he. So good. The vendors must feel good if they've got horses in his string of calls. 

[Jack Todd]

NZB Auctioneers getting picked up regularly for running bidders up today