Fifteen WS day one yearlings by 15 buying groups at Karaka

Fifteen WS yearlings were sold on day one to fifteen different buying groups at the 2025 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale which commenced on Sunday, 26 January.

Tommy Heptinstall, Andrew Campbell and Michael Hickmott goto $175,000 for the Savabeel Colt
Prominent buyer Tommy Heptinstall, Andrew Campbell Bloodstock, and trainer Michael Hickmott secured Waikato Stud’s standout Savabeel colt, Lot 47, for $175,000 after spirited bidding. A half-brother to two winners, he hails from the family of Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes winner Arlingtonboulevard.

Waterhouse and Botta join Noverre buyers’ list
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, alongside Bruce Slade’s Kestrel Thoroughbreds, purchased Lot 106, a $160,000 Noverre filly. A half-sister to four winners, she is out of the unraced Savabeel mare Maxmara. The pedigree features stakes performers Salsa, Love Affair and Somepin Anypin.

Michael Freedman and Mick Wallace back for more Noverres
Australian trainer Michael Freedman, agents Mick Wallace and Phill Cataldo, and OTI Racing teamed up to acquire Lot 189 for $130,000. This well-related Noverre filly is a three-quarter sister to Gr.2 Tulloch Stakes winner Wymark. Her dam, the O’Reilly mare Pasadena, is a sister to the four-time Group 1 winner Alamosa.

Stephen Gray and Peter Twomey secure Super Seth colt
Central Districts trainer Stephen Gray, with Peter Twomey of Wattle Bloodstock (FBAA), purchased Lot 249 for $150,000. By Super Seth, the colt is out of the Written Tycoon mare River Flow, a sister to Group 3 winner Acquarello. The family includes top-flight performers River Dove, Captivant and Crown Prosecutor.

Stephen Marsh and Dylan Johnson back Tivaci
Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh secured Lot 5, a Tivaci filly, for $140,000. Out of Savabeel mare Ignored, a three-time winner, the dam is a half-sister to black-type winners Include and Sharp Princess, with Group 1 winner Slight Chance also in the family.

Mick Price Racing invests $140,000 in Super Seth Colt
Mick Price Racing and Breeding purchased Lot 137, a Super Seth colt, for $140,000. Out of the American-bred Shackleford mare Mystery Lake, he is a half-brother to two winners and related to Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner Atlante.

Day two’s sale commences at 10am NZT.