Major changes announced for 2018 Karaka sales week
THE 2018 Karaka Million has been rescheduled to allow an opening night session of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
The Karaka Million has been run on the Sunday prior to the sales starting on the Monday, but the NZB has moved the Million to the Saturday to allow the Premier Sale to start on Sunday night.
The move will allow around 100 yearlings to go under the hammer on Sunday night and NZB managing director Andrew Seabrook said the changes will be positive for two reasons in particular.
“I’m absolutely certain this new structure will be a success. Selling 100 horses on Sunday night gets more horses in front of buyers early in the week and aids the troublesome transition vendors have always faced midweek,” Seabrook said.
“We have done a lot of homework over the past several weeks and the feedback received from vendors and buyers has been pretty consistent. They want to see more horses sold in the first book and they want their second session horses, particularly those being sold on the Friday, to be on the property at Karaka in a more timely fashion.”
The Premier Sale, now known as “Karaka Book I” will start on Sunday and end on Wednesday afternoon, which gives not only national, but international buyers more time to find the right purchase.
“The aim is to give the international buyers a reason to stay longer by giving them even more horses to look at on the sale ground at one time,” Seabrook said.
“In theory, there will be at least 200 more horses being offered in front of a full overseas buying bench. It’s an exciting change that we think will provide a positive boost to sales week for buyers and sellers alike.”
The 2018 Karaka Million and the Karaka Million 3YO Classic will still be a twilight meeting at Ellerslie, which consists of six races and four new group features.
“A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes so I would particularly like to thank Auckland Racing Club chief executive officer Cameron George, director Russell Warwick and NZTR chief executive officer Greg Purcell in helping make this happen,” Seabrook said.
“The Karaka Million Twilight Meeting is one of the great days on the New Zealand racing calendar.
“I’m sure the move to Saturday, the running of two one million dollar races, along with four additional Group races will take it to another level. And it’s going to be great to showcase more of our top horses to an international audience.”
ARC chief executive officer Cameron George has moved some races around to accommodate the change.
“To accommodate the black type features, we have moved the Karaka Stayers’ Cup to Sunday, January 14, which will be an ideal lead up to a 2400m Group race on Karaka Million night,” George said.
“The four group races at the twilight meeting will provide a heavy weight punch to the event, boosting the atmosphere to new levels and attracting larger on-course crowds.”
NZTR CEO Greg Purcell is pleased with the initiative, stating that New Zealand’s richest raceday will continue to attractive the wider racing community.
“New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing is delighted to have fronted this initiative with NZB & ARC, as well as to have provided the necessary support to make it happen,” Purcell said.
“The Karaka Million is the richest raceday on the calendar and with the addition of four Group races, it will be a real attraction for international visitors to the Sales, as well as racegoers, owners and enthusiasts from around the country.”