As so often happens in Auckland, the weather has finally settled at the end of January, and delivered a clear sky, sunshine and moderate humidity for the day before the beginning of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales Series.
For visitors strolling around the beautiful Karaka Sales Centre the atmosphere was relaxed and the scene endlessly interesting, but for buyers and vendors it was all business: heavily marked catalogues, smart uniforms and professional marketing, busy hospitality tents and hundreds of horses who needed grooming, feeding, watering and a few quiet moments in their stalls between parades...
The Series starts tomorrow at 11 am with the first day of the two-day Premier Sale.
Photos by Susan Archer & Alex Martin.
- Susan Archer
For visitors strolling around the beautiful Karaka Sales Centre the atmosphere was relaxed and the scene endlessly interesting, but for buyers and vendors it was all business: heavily marked catalogues, smart uniforms and professional marketing, busy hospitality tents and hundreds of horses who needed grooming, feeding, watering and a few quiet moments in their stalls between parades...
The Series starts tomorrow at 11 am with the first day of the two-day Premier Sale.
Photos by Susan Archer & Alex Martin.
 | Angenita Holzke & David Moore of Soliloquy Lodge, Karaka "Very happy with the interest in our draft." Hot Lots: fillies by More Than Ready & Tale of the Cat, colts by Encosta de Lago & Lonhro. |
| Lot 411 in the Cambridge Stud draft is the Zabeel-Sunline colt, seen here with his regular handler, 2005 NZTBA Overseas Training Scholarship winner Luke Simpson, being inspected by Arrowfield Stud's John Messara (left). |  |
 | Well-known breeders Tim Harrison and Denny Baker, both selling at Karaka Premier under the Te Runga Stud & Hallmark Stud banners. Tim notes "a stronger interest in fillies this year." |
| These likely lads are Ryan Thistoll (left) and Kelvin Mahood, proudly wearing the uniform of Jo Wilding's Te Mania Thoroughbreds, North Canterbury. Past Te Mania drafts have included G1 winners ZONDA, JOKERS WILD, SURPRIZE SURPRIZE & SO CASUAL, and current star FISCAL MADNESS. Te Mania presents three colts & a filly at Karaka Premier 2007. |  |
 | Ancroft Stud's roll of honour just keeps growing: the latest addition is Australian G1 wfa winner EL SEGUNDO. This year Philip & Catherine Brown present just one Premier Sale yearling, Lot 141, a filly by Pins from a daughter of their marvellous racemare & producer BATTLE EVE. |
| Monovale Farm's Paul Smithies (left) and Paul Gordon have every reason to smile: they bred & sold yesterday's WRC Thorndon Mile G1 winner SIR SLICK. "We were very busy Friday & Saturday; and many local buyers have already inspected the draft at home." Hot Lot: 181, Montjeu-Grosvenor's Pride colt Paul Smithies is also an NZTBA councillor. |  |
 | Jacqui Todd, of Darley Park, Cambridge with her Hussonet-Our Geisha Girl colt, Lot 311. Darley Park is also selling a Stravinsky filly, Lot 397, at the Premier Sale. |
- Susan Archer
