For a thoroughbred auction house to have longevity, it must have success with its graduates on the racetrack. As we reflect on one hundred years of the National Yearling Sales Series in New Zealand, this book pays homage to the talent that emerged from each sale, highlighting the alumnus with the most glittering racing career.

The sheer caliber of the New Zealand thoroughbred that has consistently been brought to market at the National Yearling Sales Series across the span of a century is quite spectacular. Check out the best performed graduates from the 1937 - 1946 sales below.

The full printed copy of this catalogue of best performers will be availble to purchase online soon at shop.nzb.co.nz and at the Pop Up Store during Karaka 2026.

1937: DEFAULTER (LOT 53)

**Defaulter**

Defoe — Expense, Colt
Breeder — I. G. Duncan
Vendor — Ian MacRae, Masterton
Purchaser — J. Shaw (as agent), Christchurch
Purchase Price — 170gns
Top Price — 1050gns

Registered as the breeder of Defaulter in the 1938 Stud Book is I. G. Duncan, who bred Expense. However, it is widely acknowledged that Expense was secured by Ian MacRae, a Wairarapa Shorthorn Angus Cross cattle breeder, and it was he who sent her to Defoe with Defaulter, the resultant foal.

Lot 53 was knocked down to Auckland paint merchant Max Steinberg for 170gns. Steinberg, however, reneged claiming that his bid was 165gns. The colt was put back on the market and sold for 170gns to the original underbidder, Canterbury trainer J.S. Shaw, who was acting on behalf of North Canterbury pastoralist Harold Greenwood. The colt to be named Defaulter (for good reason) went on to win 22 of his 28 starts and was unbeaten at weight-for-age.

Defaulter broke his maiden at start three at Riccarton then, taken north, went seven for seven, a sequence that included the 1938 WRC North Island Challenge Stakes (Gr.3), the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (L) and defeated the older horses in Riccarton’s CJC Challenge Stakes (L).

At three he put together ten straight wins that included the WRC Trentham Stakes (L), WRC Harcourt Stakes (Gr.2), CJC New Zealand Derby (Gr.2) and Canterbury Cup (Gr.3). At Ellerslie he won the ARC Christmas Hcp (L) and the Great Northern Derby (Gr.1) three-quarters of a length clear of Beaupatir. His final race in New Zealand at three was the 1939 Wellington Cup (Gr.1), weighted 8st 11lbs (56kgs), which he won easily and was then shipped to Sydney. There he won the AJC Chipping Norton Plate (Gr.2), the AJC Autumn Plate (L) and the AJC Plate (L). The following spring he added the AJC Warwick Stakes (Gr.2) and beat Beau Vite in the NSW Tatt’s RC Chelmsford Stakes (Gr.2). After a brief rest in New Zealand he headed to Wingatui where he won his final race, the DJC James Hazlett Gold Cup (L), carrying 9st 10lbs (61 1/2kgs).

Retired to Inglewood Stud in Kaiapoi, Defaulter made an impact in the stallion ranks with his winners/runners ratio an impressive 67%. Two of his 19 stakes winners included the sisters Citril (WRC Telegraph Hcp (Gr.2)) and Derene (CJC Great Easter Hcp (Gr.3)).

1938: BEAU VITE (LOT 110)

**BEAU VITE**

Beau Pere — Dominant, Colt
Breeder — J. Curran
Vendor — J. Curran, Shannon
Purchaser — R. Stewart, Wellington
Purchase Price — 900gns
Top Price — 1150gns

Breeder, Irishman James Curran, a hotel proprietor, had a long connection with the racing and breeding of horses in both New Zealand and Australia, with considerable success there and in South Africa. Publican Ralph Stewart from Wellington, determined to purchase a Beau Pere yearling at the 1938 National Yearling Sale, became overzealous in the auction ring and double-banked in his bidding. Auctioneer Charles Robertson, however, declined to take advantage of the mistake and Stewart purchased Beau Vite for 900gns.

Trained throughout his career by Tom George who also later handled his stud years, Beau Vite found winning form at two at start six and ended his first season with three wins which included the WRC North Island Challenge Stakes (Gr.3).

His first 11 starts at three were all in Australia, resulting in two stakes wins before heading home after an eighth in the 1939 Melbourne Cup (Gr.1). Ten more starts at home brought success in the 1940 ARC Great Northern Derby (Gr.1), and both the WRC St Leger (Gr.2) and ARC Great Northern St Leger (Gr.2) plus the Awapuni Gold Cup (Gr.2), his sixth win on end.

Returning to Australia at four, he won the STC Hill Stakes (Gr.2), the AJC Colin Stephen Stakes (L), the AJC Metropolitan Hcp (Gr.1), the AJC Craven Plate (L), the MVRC WS Cox Plate (Gr.1) and the VRC Mackinnon Stakes (Gr.1) to make it another six wins on end. Such was Beau Vite’s dominance, after his Cox Plate victory an attempt was made on his life but the attackers shot and injured his stablemate. Under top-weight he also ran a creditable fourth in his second Melbourne Cup attempt. Returning home he won the ARC Auckland Cup (Gr.1) with 9st 6lbs (60kgs) followed by his last race in New Zealand, a win in Ellerslie’s ARC Clifford Plate (Gr.2) beating Royal Chief.

Over the next 13 months he ran 17 times for 10 wins and five placings against top Australian opposition. Among his wins were a second Cox Plate, a second Mackinnon Stakes and a game third with 9st 10lbs (61 ½ kgs) in the 1941 Melbourne Cup.

He retired and returned to New Zealand for the final time to stand at Rosswood Stud in Masterton where he sired 12 stakes winners.

1939: BELLE CANE (LOT 14)

**BELLE CANE**

Beau Pere — Duck's Egg, Filly
Breeder — F. Armstrong
Vendor — Frank Armstrong, Dannevirke
Purchaser — W.J. Smith, New South Wales
Purchase Price — 275gns
Top Price — 1450gns

Large land owner Frank Armstrong, who had an Aberdeen Angus Stud at his Akitio Station in Dannevirke, bred Belle Cane who was secured by W. J. Smith, an Australian manufacturing magnate for 275gns. At that Sale, Mr Smith, who had also just bought the stallion Beau Pere for 3300gns, purchased a total of ten yearlings. When it was hinted that he would not be able to handle so much young stock, Mr Smith immediately offered to lease one of the fillies. Thus Wanganui farmers, P. A. & T. J. O’Neill secured a two year lease over Belle Cane.

After an unsuccessful two-year-old preparation Belle Cane was given plenty of time to build up for her three-year-old career. She was turned out in a paddock without any dry feed as it was O’Neill’s opinion that in the summer months a horse does not require hard feed so long as it is on rich country.

In her first start as a three-year-old, Belle Cane won by five lengths. That was the forerunner of six wins in her first seven starts. Unplaced in the CJC New Zealand Derby (Gr.2) she bounced back to win the CJC New Zealand Oaks (Gr.2) giving breeder Frank Armstrong the doubtful pleasure of having his filly, Cherry Bay, fill the position of runner-up to one he sold. In the 1941 WRC Wellington Cup (Gr.1) she ran second to Kindergarten and ran third to him in the Awapuni Gold Cup (Gr.2). She finished the season with success in the ARC Great Northern Oaks (Gr.1) winning convincingly by two lengths. She retired with seven wins, four of which were black-type.

Sold to Louis B Mayer, film magnate and owner of a large-scale thoroughbred establishment in California, she found great success as a broodmare.

Three of Belle Cane’s foals were stakes winners. Her daughter Admiral's Belle foaled Royal Orbit, winner of the 1959 Preakness Stakes (Gr.1). He also finished second in the Santa Anita Derby (Gr.1), third in the Belmont Stakes (Gr.1) and fourth in the Kentucky Derby (Gr.1). Ninety-eight stakes winners and 111 stake-placed performers trace directly to Belle Cane including the 1987 Royal Ascot Group 3 winner Big Shuffle who was six times Champion Sire in Germany.

1940: BATTLEDRESS (LOT 97)

**BATTLEDRESS**

Posterity — Midinette, Colt
Breeder — G.M. Currie
Vendor — Koatanui Stud, Wanganui
Purchaser — A.J. Mack, Hawera
Purchase Price — 100gns
Top Price — 2000gns

South Taranaki publican A. J (Artie) Mack, who had come to the sales as a spectator, liked the strong walk on this Posterity colt and was urged to put in a bid by trainer O. Cox. He became the purchaser of Battledress in what was Mack’s first ownership venture.

A descendant of the outstanding mare Eulogy, who George Currie imported from England in 1915 as a consort for his stallion Absurd and whose descendants are still prominent today, won at his fourth start at two and placed third at his two subsequent starts.

From ten starts at three he won at hack level at both Stratford and Trentham before venturing south where he was a convincing winner of the CJC Spring Plate on the first day of the Riccarton Cup Carnival. This win set him up as favourite for the CJC New Zealand Derby (Gr.2) on the second day which he won convincingly.

At the ARC Cup Carnival, he took his winning sequence to five in the ARC Plunket Hcp and then started as hot favourite for the ARC Great Northern Derby (Gr.1) on New Year’s Day. However, in a surprise, he was beaten into third behind Regal Fox and Route March.

Venturing to Wellington for the 1942 WRC Wellington Cup (Gr.1) he was run down by Happy Ending to lose by half a head. In the autumn he won the WRC Autumn Hcp (Gr.3) beating Happy Ending, followed by a trip to Ellerslie where he avenged his Derby defeat by beating Regal Fox by three and half lengths in the ARC Great Northern St Leger (Gr.2).

As a 4YO he was unplaced in eight starts but returned at five to win three of his nine starts as well as running second to the great Kindergarten in the CJC Canterbury Cup (Gr.3). His eleventh and final win was in the WRC Autumn Hcp (Gr.3)

1941: LORD CHANCELLOR (LOT 176)

**LORD CHANCELLOR**

Mr Standfast — Administration, Colt
Breeder — A.H. Storey
Vendor — A.H. Storey, Te Awamutu
Purchaser — H. Green (as agent), Wellington
Purchase Price — 525gns
Top Price — 1000gns

Originally named Four Square when he was purchased by H. Green on behalf of owner A. J. (Bert) Court of George Court & Sons Ltd department store on K Road, Auckland, he was renamed

Lord Chancellor. Well-known Te Awamutu farmer and horse circuit judge A. Storey bred the colt. The colt’s half-brother by Foxbridge would top the 1944 National Yearling Sale at 2,000gns.

Lightly raced at two, the benefit of such patience was evident the next season when he cleared maidens at Ellerslie at his first start at three. Two starts later, he won again at Ellerslie and on Boxing Day added the ARC Queen’s Plate, for win three in six starts.

Progressing quickly through the grades he won the ARC Nathan’s Memorial Hcp (Gr.3) and the ARC Takapuna Cup (Gr.3). He ran seconds in the WRC Autumn Hcp (Gr.3) and the ARC Easter Hcp (Gr.1), then starting as warm favourite in the ARC Great Northern St Leger (Gr.2), he just edged in front of Nizam near the post to score by a short head to record his sixth win in 12 starts.

Lord Chancellor raced just seven times at four for four wins which included the 1943 ARC Mitchelson Cup (Gr.3) and the Te Awamutu Cup which set him up for the Auckland Cup (Gr.1). Ridden by the master horseman Larry Wiggins, Lord Chancellor won the Cup by a short head. The win was made more spectacular seeing his rider Wiggins perched about a foot above the horse’s head ensuring the judge would see him in the close finish. A second in the 1944 ARC Easter Hcp (Gr.1) followed. Lord Chancellor’s stakes money placed A. J. Court second in the list of winning owners by stakes money for the 1943-44 season.

At five he started seven times running a third to the champion Kindergarten in the 1944 WRC Harcourt Stakes (Gr.2) and recording the last of his 11 wins in the 1945 ARC Clifford Plate (Gr.2).

1942: EXPANSE (LOT 197)

**EXPANSE**

Bulandshar — Expense, Colt
Breeder — Ian MacRae
Vendor — Ian MacRae, Masterton
Purchaser — Hon. W.S. Goosman, Morrinsville
Purchase Price — 1050gns
Top Price — 1050gns

Breeder Mr Ian MacRae had previously bred Defaulter and would also go on to breed champion racemare Leilani. Expanse was a half-brother to the champion Defaulter. His new owner, the Member of Parliament for Piako, Sir Stanley Goosman as he was later known, would be the leading owner in New Zealand on 10 occasions. The Hon Mr Goosman was a big supporter of the National Yearling Sale and secured this sale-topping Lot at the 1942 edition for 1050gns.

Trained by A. Winder, Expanse had nine starts as a two-year-old winning at his third start. A third in the ARC Great Northern Foal Stakes (Gr.2) was followed by a win in the ARC Royal Stakes (Gr.3).

Starting 13 times as a three-year-old he ran third in the CJC New Zealand Derby (Gr.2) but won the ARC Great Northern Derby (Gr.1) on New Year’s Day holding on gamely to beat Foxwyn by a head. Then at Ellerslie’s Easter meeting he was untroubled to win the ARC Great Northern St Leger (Gr.2).

Proving difficult to train, Expanse did not come back well at four, however, at five he won the 1945 ARC Auckland Cup (Gr.1), where he held out the fast-finishing Golden Souvenir.

An entire, he retired with six wins including two Group 1’s and at stud he sired three stakes-placed winners. His daughter Expansion produced the ARC Easter Hcp winner Final Command and another daughter produced the top sprinter-miler Fountainhead.

1943: CHUNG CHONG (LOT 38)

**CHUNG CHONG**

Lang Bian — Oriwai, Colt
Breeder — F. Ormond
Vendor — Karamu Stud, Hastings
Purchaser — Wright, Stephenson (as agent)
Purchase Price — 80gns
Top Price — 1400gns

Chung Chong was bred by long-time Hawke’s Bay breeder Frank Ormond, who imported and stood Lang Bian at his Karamu Stud. The last surviving son of the Hon J. D. Ormond, one of the founders of New Zealand racing, Frank continued breeding at Karamu Stud after the death of his father in 1917.

Originally passed in at sale, Chung Chong was subsequently purchased as part of a package of yearlings managed by Wright, Stephenson’s Charlie Robertson for just 80gns. The package was destined for India but due to shipping problems the deal fell through. Just five minutes before he won his first start on the opening day of the 1945 Great Northern Carnival, the colt was on-sold for 900gns to Ernie Montgomery, sportsman and hotel proprietor in Auckland who held the licence for Ellerslie racecourse. He duly won again on the last day of the Carnival providing Montgomery a quick return on his investment.

Two good placings as a four-year-old were recorded in the 1945 Avondale Cup (L) and the CJC New Zealand Cup (Gr.1) where he ran second to Golden Souvenir. A productive 1946-47 5YO season saw him win in the 1946 Avondale Cup in September ridden by a young Grenville Hughes who won on him again in November in the ARC Alison Cup (L). On New Year’s Day 1947 he ran second in the ARC Auckland Racing Club Hcp (Gr.3) and on the last day, third in the ARC Nathan’s Memorial Hcp (L). The winter of 1947 saw him back at Ellerslie to add the ARC Cornwall Hcp (L). A second ARC Alison Cup (L) was added as a seven-year-old.

His last three wins were as an eight-year-old. Venturing to Stratford he took out the Stratford Cup and the next day, over the same distance, he added the Malone Memorial Hcp. His final career win was recorded in the Av JC Foley Memorial Hcp (L). He finished his racing career as a nine-year-old.

1944: BRUCE (LOT 34)

**BRUCE**

Royal Chief — Otetanui, Colt
Breeder — H.W.S. Faulks
Vendor — H.W.S Faulks, Wanaka
Purchaser — J.S. Shaw (as agent), Christchurch
Purchase Price — 170gns
Top Price — 2000gns

Bruce was from the first progeny of his sire Royal Chief, a 1936 National Yearling Sale graduate. He was bred by Stuart Faulks of Mt. Barker Stud in Wanaka who stood the stallion Royal Chief on lease. Purchased for just 170gns, this colt's buyer was Riccarton trainer J. S. Shaw for businessman Scott Ramsay who entrusted the preparation of the horse to master horseman L. J. (Jim) Ellis, who also rode him in every win except his biggest – the 1947 Wellington Cup (Gr.1).

Bruce placed twice in five starts at two. At three he worked his way through the grades with wins at Riccarton, Ellerslie and Trentham. In his final start for the season he won the CJC Great Autumn Hcp (L).

At four Bruce took out the WRC Dominion Hcp at Trentham. Seven days later, he won the 1947 Wellington Cup (Gr.1) by a neck. Returning to Trentham in March he won the WRC Autumn Hcp (Gr.3) then ran second in the Awapuni Gold Cup (Gr.2) to Beau le Havre before ending the season at Riccarton winning the CJC Tasman Stakes (Gr.3).

At five he raced just six times then was out for a year, returning at six to win three times, twice in New Zealand and once in Sydney. A second in the 1948 CJC New Zealand Cup (Gr.1) was followed by a win over Beau le Havre in the Canterbury Gold Cup (Gr.2). Running third to Frances in the Auckland Cup (Gr.1) he was then victorious on the last day of the Cup Carnival winning the ARC Clifford Plate (Gr.2). Later in January he was third behind his brother Royal Tan in the Wellington Cup (Gr.1) and third again on the final day in the Trentham Stakes (Gr.2).

Racing in Sydney in April, he started three times for thirds in the AJC Chipping Norton Stakes (Gr.2), AJC Autumn Stakes (Gr.2) and a win in the AJC Cumberland Stakes (Gr.1). He was retired having won 12 times, including two Group 1 wins.

1945: ROYAL TAN (LOT 265)

**ROYAL TAN**

Royal Chief — Otetanui, Colt
Breeder — H. W. S. Faulks
Vendor — F.C. Christie, Christchurch
Purchaser — W. H. Dwyer, Trentham
Purchase Price — 450gns
Top Price — 3000gns

Purchased by W. H. Dwyer as agent for Wellingtonian George Lang, whose colours were also successfully carried by horses in the trotting code, the owner could not have imagined that this colt’s brother, Bruce, sold the previous year, would be that Sale’s best performer. The well-performed brothers, both bred by H. W. Faulks, can claim a unique part of sales history.

Campaigned in Melbourne as an early three-year-old, Royal Tan recorded four placings from five starts. The benefits of this trip were apparent on his return to New Zealand, when at his first start he landed the 1946 CJC New Zealand Derby (Gr.2) as a maiden winning comfortably by two lengths. He also ran second in the WRC Gloaming Stakes (Gr.2) and third in the CJC Canterbury Cup (Gr.3).

At four Royal Tan only recorded one win but he added significant placings in the 1947 CJC New Zealand Cup (Gr.1), the Auckland Racing Club Hcp (Gr.3), the Wellington Hcp (Gr.3), ARC Nathans Memorial Hcp (L) and the WRC Summer Hcp (Gr.3).

At five he finished third in the 1948 CJC Winter Cup (Gr.3) then won the CJC Islington Hcp (L) a week later. A third in the WRC Harcourt Stakes (Gr.2) was followed by a dead-heat in the CJC Metropolitan Hcp (Gr.3). New Year’s Day at Ellerslie saw him run second in the Auckland Racing Club Hcp (Gr.3). Three weeks later he claimed his career best win in the 1949 Wellington Cup (Gr.1) coming away to win by a length and a half. His year-older brother Bruce was third.

At six, during the spring of 1949, he raced unsuccessfully in Melbourne. Returning home he ran third behind Beaumaris in the 1950 Wellington Cup (Gr.1). His 7YO season was his best winning season, winning four times including the HBJC Hastings Gold Cup (L). He also recorded a third in the 1951 WRC Wellington Cup. At eight he scored twice, and placed second to Red Jester in the 1951 CJC Canterbury Cup (Gr.3). He retired at nine with 11 wins.

1946: NIZAM’S RING (LOT 50)

**NIZAM’S RING**

Nizami — Ringless, Filly
Breeder — J.A. Mitchell
Vendor — Santa Rosa Stud, Longburn
Purchaser — Maurice McCarten (as agent), Sydney
Purchase Price — 650gns
Top Price — 4750gns

Nizam's Ring was bred by J. A. Mitchell, who established Santa Rosa Stud in Longburn in the late 1930’s and became a regular vendor at the National Yearling Sale from 1939. The filly’s dam, Ringless, was purchased at the 1939 National Yearling Sale for 310gns. This Nizami filly was purchased by Maurice McCarten, as agent, for F. W. Hughes, proprietor of the Kooba Stud in New South Wales who later also purchased her sire Nizami.

Standing at 14.2hh, Nizam’s Ring was well tried at two by trainer J. W. McCurley, starting 16 times and winning the first of her four wins at her third start at Rosehill. She placed second on four occasions which included gaining black-type in the AJC December Stakes (L).

At three she had an outstanding spring. In October’s AJC Flight Stakes (Gr.2) she finished brilliantly to win by a half neck. Ten days later she ran away to win by three lengths in the VATC Caulfield 1000 Guineas (Gr.1). At Flemington in the VRC Wakeful Stakes (Gr.2) she won easily by two and a half lengths under 9st 4lb (59kg). A win in the VRC Oaks (Gr.1) followed, withstanding a strong finish from Saxony to hold on by half a neck. In Sydney she made it five successive wins when taking out the AJC Mersey Stakes. Nizam’s Ring was retired to stud in the autumn of 1948 after finishing fourth in the ATC Adrian Knox Stakes (L).

Nizam’s Ring was sold at a Kooba Stud dispersal sale with a foal at foot for 6,000gns. Nizam’s Ring, an only foal, produced eight winners including four in the USA. One daughter, Nizam’s Belle, produced the ARC Railway (Gr.1) winner Pipe Dream. Another daughter, Niabell, left the SAJC South Australian Derby (Gr.1) winner Royal Chat.

Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand. Celebrate with us at NZB’s Karaka Sales Centre from 25 – 29 January 2026.

A century of thoroughbred excellence has shaped the National Yearling Sales Series, from guineas to dollars, Trentham to Karaka and Wrightsons to NZB.

The full publication of top performers from the National Yearling Sale can be purchased from NZB’s online store, or at the Merchandise Store during Karaka 2026.

100 Years of racetrack legends: 1937 - 1946