Weanling Sale a Springboard to Racetrack Success

The 2023 class of weanlings will have the chance to follow in the footsteps of fellow NZB Standardbred graduates across Australasia when they are offered at this year's National Weanling Sale at Karaka on Thursday 25 May. 

Amongst the 123-quality lot catalogue, buyers will have the opportunity to secure future stars like Copy That (NZ) (American Ideal) who was a $7,500 weanling purchase from breeding powerhouse Woodlands Stud. The megastar has since gone on to surpass $2 million in race day earnings with 33 wins to his name from 65 starts.  

Betterzippit (NZ) was also sold on account of Alabar, for just $1,500 as a weanling. He has since won 11 races and $681,647 in earnings. In recent times,the Former Kiwi pacer upstaged some of Australia’s best pacers to win the inaugural $1mil Nullarbor at Gloucester Park in April. 

Alabar have also previously sold Majestuoso (NZ) (Majestic Son) for just $6,000 as a weanling. The Victorian-based square gaiter has banked more than A$700,000 in earnings during his glittering career, winning seven Group One races along the way.  

From the first-ever weanling session held by NZB Standardbred in 2019, My Ultimate Baxter (NZ) (Sweet Lou) was purchased for $16,000 by Tumby Park in New South Wales from Woodlands Stud. The now four-year-old has since won on nine occasions headed by the Group Two Simpson Memorial. 

Purchased from the same session and draft, My Ultimate Chevron (NZ) (Sweet Lou) is another weanling success story, purchased by Lake Brunner Syndicate for $13,000, before later being reoffered at the National Yearling Sale. The Sweet Lou colt went on to win six races across both New Zealand and Australia. 

Anticipated newcomer Sinbad (NZ) (Downbytheseaside) was another weanling sold by Woodlands Stud, this time to Jean Feiss for $26,000 from the 2020 All Aged Sale at Karaka. The promising All Stars Racing prospect has already been Group One placed three times in his career so far, earning $57,859.  

Exciting Stonewall Stud racing team member Alta Meteor (NZ) (Art Major) is one to keep an eye on, having won on four occasions in his 13-start career at the time of writing, including an impressive NSW Derby Heat. Purchased by Stonewall Stud for $25,000 from Alabar’s 2020 weanling draft at the All Aged Sale. 

Buyers will have access to secure the same potential performers with a range of progeny of established, emerging and first season sires, from the drafts of renowned Alabar Farms, Woodlands Stud, Macca Lodge, Tardina Stud plus H.J. Harbraken and D. Shires.  

All weanlings purchased at the 2023 National Weanling Sale at Karaka are eligible to be entered for the NZB Standardbred’s lucrative Harness Million Sales Race Series. The Series consists of principle two- year- old and three-year-old races for colts and geldings, fillies and trotters individually, where graduates can contest for their share in a one-million-dollar prize pool. 

For international and domestic buyers wishing to physically attend the Sale, contact [email protected] for travel and accommodation enquiries, and special rates at the DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka hotel. 

Phone and online bidding are a welcomed option for buyers who are unable to physically attend the Sale. 

View the full 2023 National Standardbred Weanling Sale catalogue online here. 

For more information about the Sale contact NZB Standardbred Manager Cam Bray by calling +64 21 737 199 or email [email protected] 

Important Notes:  

• Parades at Karaka Sales Centre - Wednesday 24 May 
  Alabar – 1pm 
  Woodlands Stud- 2.30pm 
  Tardina Stud – 4pm 
  Macca Lodge – 4.15pm 

• 2023 National Weanling Sale at Karaka - Thursday 25 May 
  Selling commencing at 12pm 

• Auckland Cup Meeting at Alexandra Park - Friday 26 May 
  Racing commencing at 5.30pm