The Yearling Sales have passed for another year

Rob Courtney

One man’s opinion…..who watched the Auckland sale on the laptop but did attend the Christchurch sale from start to finish.

There were plenty of records shattered during the 2 days of selling at both Auckland & Christchurch recently but does delving deeper into the ‘outcomes’ of these 2025 sales truly reflect a healthy state of the harness racing industry in NZ.

Yes, despite offering 58 less yearlings than the previous year, the total turnover exceeded the 2024 equivalent, up 6%.

Yes, within the space of 7 minutes the record price for a standardbred yearling was eclipsed at Auckland & now stands at an impressive $360k

Yes, the averages at both venues dramatically increased.

At Auckland (up 20%) to $62,742 (an Australasian record)

At Christchurch (up 17%) to $52,827

Yes, a record price was paid for a yearling trotter, albeit an Australian bred, for $240k

Yes, Captaintreacherous clearly established himself as the most commercial stallion currently available in NZ

Yes, there was an increase in buyer spending which could reflect a real confidence in the harness industry going forward, especially from a domestic buyer point of view.

Yes, there was a dramatic increase in those yearlings bringing $150k+

At Auckland , 8 sold at or above that benchmark

At Christchurch, 11 sold.

Yes, the arrival of Aussie breeder Yabby Dam farm was a great addition to the sales & highly successful from their position as new vendors

Yes, a number of trainers bought stock ‘on spec’ and filled their ownership groups relatively quickly, another positive sign that the harness ‘lovers’ want to be involved in the ‘game’ going forward.

Yes, the ‘audiences’, particularly in Christchurch appeared to be larger than in previous years and stayed on for longer.

Clearance rates were up at both venues by around 5% but were all industry participants happy with ‘their lot (s)’. ? (pun deliberate)

Yes, the well bred/good types always sell well but again for some vendors, the brutal reality of what was wanted hit home and they most likely left the sales taking home their horse (s) and feeling quite deflated.

Some might say that is a typical auction !

But that disappointment might just be enough to terminate their time as a sales vendor and their participation as a breeder might need a rethink.

Yes, high profile Breckons Bloodstock was again the leading vendor based on $$2,062,500 return but even they didn’t sell 30% of their draft on the sales day.

Yes, some potential buyers didn’t get a horse (especially in Christchurch) because the horse they wanted was too expensive.

Many of the ‘astute’ judges wanted the same horse & hence the price reflected this keen competition. That buying ‘bench’ who can afford those top end horses is relatively small. But does this mean our sport is getting more & more elite ?

Yes, only the commercial breeders can afford to go to the likes of Captaintreacherous multiple times in a breeding season & as has been seen in recent seasons, studs are quick to put their fees up on the ‘coat tails’ of any successful run.

Yes, the total number of breeders actively breeding still is on the decline & the number of mares being bred heading in the same direction. But is it now more appealing to own a small % share in a racehorse than do all the work yourself ?

Yes, the Auckland & Christchurch sales are quite different in terms of their respective ‘cultures’. South Island vendors might give some consideration to sending their stock north but at the increased costs.

Yes, preparing a yearling is a lot of work for what is ultimately defined by 2 minutes in a sales arena. It can be a very stressful time for some.

Yes, there were a high number of withdrawls but those in the know acknowledge that any blemish is often very hurtful on any potential return.

In the ‘wash-up’, 343 yearlings were catalogued and 245 sold (71%).

How are the vendors of that unsold 29% now feeling ?

Yes, it’s very difficult to work out sometimes what buyers are looking for. Decisions that are set in stone 2 years prior can become ‘poor decisions’ in hindsight as stock by certain stallions become quite unfashionable & generally not wanted by the buying bench.

NZ trainers quite often get ‘negative’ about the stock of certain stallions.

Yes, unless by a superstar mare or a top commercial family, fillies historically struggle at the sales. The sales remain a colt dominated forum.

As a harness ‘tragic’, this writer wants to remain positive about the industry he feels so connected to but the yes/but tallies suggest that the latest round of yearling sales produced a ‘mixed’ bag !.

Of course, sales averages are going to go up when selling horses for $360k.

We are heading towards a chronic horse shortage and already several race fields are numerically below 8 (the number required to pay 3 dividends at the tote) especially in the North Island and tote turnover seems to be the major point of emphasis for the ‘governors’ of our sport.

Rumour has it that there will be a weanling sale later in the year but its long-term continuation is on ‘shakey’ ground.

Lets not forget the breeders who produce the foals. Give them an incentive to keep going and give them more than 1 outlet to sell their horses so that they can fund their passion.

Editors Note // There is indeed a Weanling Sale coming up in June – entries are currently open, closing Thursday 24 April

National Weanling Sale | NZB Standardbred | Standardbred Auction House