Weanling graduates destined for stardom

An outstanding class of 2022 weanlings will follow in the footsteps of many harness racing champions of Australasia’s racetracks when offered at this year’s National Standardbred Weanling Sale at Karaka on 26 May.

Australia and New Zealand’s most successful owners and trainers have enjoyed outstanding success in Group One events after sourcing their racing stock from the NZB Standardbred sale ring.

Bloodstock investors will get that same chance to secure the next generation of racetrack stars, with 114 standardbred weanlings set to go under the hammer this week.

Breeding powerhouses Alabar NZ and Woodlands Stud will both present significant drafts filled with weanlings by proven, emerging and first season sires. Both studs have an impressive track record of selling weanlings at value prices who go on to achieve incredible success.

Woodlands Stud sold reigning Group One New Zealand Cup champion Copy That (American Ideal) as a weanling for just $7,000. The pacer has gone on to win five Group One races and amass $964,297 in stakes earnings.

Alabar NZ sold leading Australian trotter and recent Group One Great Southern Star winner Majestuoso (Majestic Son) for just $6,000. The Victorian squaregaiter has banked A$594,910 in stakes during his glittering career, winning seven Group One races along the way.

Although the new harness racing season is not yet halfway in New Zealand, so far NZB Standardbred graduates have made an incredible mark on Australasian racetracks.

After being crowned New Zealand’s Male Two-Year-Old pacer of the year, Akuta (Bettor’s Delight) has continued his reign, stamping his class as New Zealand’s current leading three-year-old colt or gelding. The pacer took out both the Group One $228,125 Woodlands Stud Northern Derby (2700m) and the Group Two $50,000 Alabar 3YO Classic (2200m) in style.

Of New Zealand’s two-year-old colts and geldings, two NZB Standardbred graduates have shone brightly above the rest of the pack.

Don’t Stop Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight) is unbeaten in his three starts, all at stakes level. The classy pacer won the Group Two $46,500 Macca Lodge New Zealand Kindergarten Stakes (1609m), Group Two $60,000 Diamond Creek Farm Classic (2200m) and the Group Two $46,500 Avon City Ford Welcome Stakes (1980m).

Merlin (Art Major) has shown his brilliance further north and is also unbeaten in four starts. The colt capped his first campaign in style by winning the Group Two $67,125 Breckon Farms Cardigan Bay Stakes (1700m).

NZB Standardbred trotting graduates have also cashed in with stakes success in 2022.

They include Listed NZ$75,000 Harness Million 3YO Trot (2200m) winner Highgrove (Love You) and Group Three NZ$29,000 Alabar Northern Trotting Oaks (2200) winner Double Delight (Captaintreacherous). The classy pair will go head-to-head in Friday night’s Group One Breckon Farms Northern Trotting Derby (2700m) at Alexandra Park’s Auckland Cup meeting.

The list of NZB Standardbred graduates who have enjoyed stakes race success so far this year is a highly impressive one and includes the stellar line up of: Alta Wiseguy (Mach Three), Cover Girl (Bettor’s Delight), Erupt Stride (Bettor’s Delight),Hiranya(Bettor’s Delight), Hot And Treacherous  (Captaintreacherous), Krug (Bettor’s Delight), Magic Four (Bettor’s Delight), Sand Wave (Somebeachsomewhere), The Falcon (Bettor’s Delight), Tommy Waterhouse (American Ideal), Treacherous Gall (Captaintreacherous), True Fantasy (Bettor’s Delight), Rock N Roll Doo (Rock N Roll Heaven) and My Ultimate Baxter  (Sweet Lou).

All weanlings purchased at the 2022 National Weanling Sale at Karaka are eligible to be nominated for NZB Standardbred’s lucrative Harness Million Sales Race Series. The Series consists of principal two-year-old and three-year-old races for colts and geldings, fillies, and trotters individually, where NZB Standardbred graduates can contest for their share in a one million dollar prize pool.

Weanlings entered in the Sale will be available for inspections on-site at the Karaka Sales Centre, with NZB agents available to inspect on behalf of buyers.

Buyers wishing to physically attend the Sale and stay on-site at New Zealand Bloodstock’s newly established DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka hotel can book their accommodation click here.

Phone and online bidding is another welcomed option for buyers who cannot physically attend the Sale. Register for online bidding click here.

View the full 2022 National Standardbred Weanling Sale catalogue online click here.

For more information about the Sale contact Bloodstock Representative Cam Bray by calling +64 21 737 199 or email Cam.Bray@nzb.co.nz.

Important Dates

• Woodlands Stud parade at Karaka: Wednesday 25 May, commencing 1:30PM (NZT)
• Alabar Farms parade at Karaka: Wednesday 25 May, commencing 3PM (NZT)
• 2022 National Standardbred Weanling Sale at Karaka: Thursday 26 May, commencing 12PM (NZT).
• Auckland Cup Meeting at Alexandra Park: Friday 27 May, 5:30PM (NZT)

From NZB Standardbred