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 1967 - 1976 sales below.

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

1977: DULCIFY (LOT 53)

**DULCIFY**

Decies — Sweet Candy, Colt
Breeder — R. Porter
Vendor — R. Porter, Feilding
Purchaser — C. S. Hayes, Adelaide
Purchase Price — $3,250
Top Price — $120,000

Master trainer Colin Hayes purchased this parrot-mouthed colt, who would become Dulcify, and with his wife Betty retained a one-third share. Two Perth businessmen, Alan Maller and Bill Rigg, took the other two-thirds. Dulcify was bred by R. Porter from Feilding from the mare Sweet Candy who was bred in Australia but raced in New Zealand. Porter bred three foals from Sweet Candy before selling her to Auckland businessman Don Dick for whom she won the 1979 Broodmare of the Year title. Dulcify was rated the best horse ever by trainer Colin Hayes and jockey Brent Thomson.

Not tried at two, he won his first race as a three-year old at Morphettville from an outside barrier at odds of 300 to 1, one of the longest of long-shots in Australian racing history. At start three he won again and at start four ran second in the SAJC South Australian Derby (Gr.1). Two starts later he trounced the favourite Karaman in the 1978 VRC Victoria Derby (Gr.1). Trekked to Perth for two placings he was then spelled until the autumn.

Resuming he shocked Flemington when winning the VRC Australian Cup (Gr.1) at odds of 80 to 1, beating Manikato. The STC Rosehill Guineas (Gr.1) followed, which he won convincingly, then a second to Shivaree in the STC HC Tancred Stakes (Gr.1). His following win, in the AJC Derby (Gr.1), came courtesy of a Brent Thomson protest against Double Century.

At four Dulcify easily won the VRC Craiglee Stakes (Gr.2) then as hot favourite finished third in the VATC Underwood Stakes (Gr.1). A dazzling win in the VRC Turnbull Stakes (Gr.2) followed.

In his next start, the 1979 MVRC WS Cox Plate, now officially a Group 1, jockey Brent Thomson shot him to the front at the 600m and he bolted away to win by seven lengths. “He was like a Porsche with a turbo charger,” said Thomson later.

In readiness for the 1979 VRC Melbourne Cup (Gr.1) he won the VRC LKS Mackinnon Stakes (Gr.1). Tragedy, however, occurred in the Cup when had to be put down, ending his fabulous career.

1978: PENNY EDITION (LOT 284)

**PENNY EDITION**

Sovereign Edition — Pennyless, Colt
Breeder — Roberts Holdings Ltd
Vendor — Meadowlands Stud, Ardmore
Purchaser — Brian Ralph, Melbourne
Purchase Price — $11,000
Top Price — $80,000

Distinguished Auckland Veterinary Surgeon, Charles Roberts, under his Roberts Holdings banner, bred Penny Edition. A founding member of the NZTBA, Roberts was a successful breeder of thoroughbreds, standardbreds and Holstein Friesian cattle.

Raced by Sir Maurice Nathan and Dr James Peters, Penny Edition won at Caulfield as a late two-year-old but in five starts at three managed just one placing.

At four he made up for lost opportunities by scoring eight wins in 13 starts beginning in September 1980 with a welter handicap, then jumped to stakes class to land the SAJC Craven Mild Cup (Gr.3). In November he claimed the VRC Grey-Smith Stakes (L) at Flemington, then, returning to Adelaide, took out the SAJC Diamond Stakes (L).

In September of 1981, as a five-year-old, he won the SAJC Escort Cup (Gr.3) and a sprint handicap in Adelaide. At Caulfield, for the time-honoured VATC Toorak Hcp (Gr.1), he made it three wins on end, taking down Silver Bounty who would win the Caulfield Cup the following week. February of 1982 saw him run second in both the VATC Herald Sprint (L) and the VRC Newmarket Hcp (Gr.1). His next quality performances were as a 6YO. After a third-place finish in the MVRC Alister Clark Stakes (Gr.2) he added two wins including the SAJC McKay Sprint (Gr.3).

At seven in the spring of 1983, Penny Edition won Adelaide’s SAJC Thomas Elder Hcp (Gr.3) and two starts later his second VRC Grey-Smith Stakes (L). The following February he landed the VRC Blamey Stakes (Gr.2), the VATC St George Stakes (Gr.2) and the MVRC Alister Clark Stakes (Gr.2) within a four-week period. In May he was third in the SAJC Goodwood Hcp (Gr.1).

His final season, as an 8YO, brought a MVRC John F. Feehan Stakes (Gr.2) win in September, three Group 2 placings and his 21st and final win, at Caulfield in May 1985.

1979: PRINCE MAJESTIC (LOT 250)

**PRINCE MAJESTIC**

Noble Bijou — Princess Mellay, Colt
Breeder — Mrs H. A. Anderton
Vendor — Mrs H. A. Anderton, Mosgiel
Purchaser — R. C. Verner (as agent), Takanini
Purchase Price — $22,000
Top Price — $55,000

From the second crop of Noble Bijou, Prince Majestic was bred by Mrs H. A. Anderton, Mosgiel, whose husband bred the dam Princess Mellay, the winner of 18 races, including successive CJC New Zealand Cups (Gr.1), a New Zealand Oaks (Gr.2) and 1982 Broodmare of the Year. Prince Majestic was purchased by Takanini trainer Ray Verner for Auckland roofing specialist Bob Ross and his wife Una.

Winning as a late 2YO at Trentham, he then achieved his maiden black-type win in the 1980 Listed Wanganui Guineas, followed by the Listed Hawke's Bay Guineas. Three weeks later, on the first of five trips across the Tasman, he snared the Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes. In the autumn, he was third in the 1981 Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas, then came back home and won the Listed BOP Tauranga Classic.

At four, his spring included wins in the Listed Taranaki Stakes at New Plymouth and the Gr.3 WRC Harcourt Stakes. The following April, he embarked on his most successful foray to Sydney, where he landed Rosehill’s Gr.1 Tancred Stakes and Randwick’s Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Randwick Stakes, defeating Allez Bijou both times. Returning home, he added the Listed WRC Galaxy Stakes, plus stakes placings at Tauranga and Avondale.

His 5YO season kicked off with a second to the talented Axeman in the Gr.3 Wanganui JC Tim Rogers Stakes. On his first trip to Melbourne, he placed third in both the Gr.1 Underwood Stakes and Gr.2 Turnbull Stakes. At Trentham in May, he added a second Galaxy Stakes, then headed to Queensland where he secured the Gr.2 PJ O’Shea Stakes and the Gr.3 Tattersalls’ Cup.

As a 6YO, he scored in the Lsited Waikato RC Foxbridge Plate and Whakatane Cup. Win 19 took place when he was seven, over 1400 metres at Ellerslie, and he finally bowed out following a Group 3 third at his next start.

1980: DALMACIA (LOT 420)

**DALMACIA**

Sir Tristram — Gay Juss, Colt
Breeder — Mesdames J. Hogan & A.T Kelly
Vendor — Cambridge Stud, Cambridge
Purchaser — Eric Kirwan, Brisbane
Purchase Price — $28,000
Top Price — $140,000

Bred by Justine Hogan (later Lady Hogan), wife of Patrick (later Sir Patrick) Hogan and his sister Mrs Pat Kelly at the now-famed Cambridge Stud, established just four years earlier, this colt represented the third crop to sell of their young sire Sir Tristram. Dalmacia was purchased by outstanding judge, Queensland trainer Eric Kirwan, and raced by a syndicate of Brisbane businessmen headed by Jack Lustica.

Dalmacia showed nothing special at two when trained by Kirwan in Brisbane, recording two placings in seven starts. At three, the colt was offered to Neville Begg “over the birdcage fence” while on a visit to Brisbane, with part-owner Jack Lustica suggesting the owners would like Begg to take over the training.

Begg soon achieved a number of promising results. A campaign of eight starts at three brought four Sydney wins, which included his maiden stakes success at Randwick in the Gr.2 Frank Packer Plate and a third in the Listed STC Ajax Stakes at Rosehill.

At four, Dalmacia had just nine starts for five further wins. September saw him score a Listed win before breaking through at Group 1 level in October to win the Epsom Hcp over the dual Group 1 winner Rare Form. The following February he was back at Randwick to add his first WFA success in the Gr.2 Apollo Stakes, again defeating Rare Form. He then recorded his eighth win in the Gr.2 AJC Chipping Norton Stakes at Warwick Farm. In his last and best win, he got the better of New Zealander Fountaincourt in Rosehill’s Gr.1 Rawson Stakes, with champion Strawberry Road third.

Dalmacia was retired to stud with a total of nine wins and two Group 1s. His winners to runners ratio was siring 121 winners from 207 runners (58.5%). His best representative was the top-liner in Flotilla, who won four Group 1s, including the QTC Castlemaine Stakes, QTC Sires Produce Stakes, VRC Australian Guineas and the AJC Chipping Norton Stakes.

1981: GROSVENOR (LOT 47)

**GROSVENOR**

Sir Tristram — My Tricia, Colt
Breeder — Mesdames J. Hogan & A.T. Kelly
Vendor — Cambridge Stud, Cambridge
Purchaser — Geoff Murphy, Melbourne
Purchase Price — $40,000
Top Price — $140,000

Just as Dalmacia, Grosvenor was also bred by Lady Hogan alongside Mrs Pat Kelly and was the star of his year. Purchased by Melbourne trainer Geoff Murphy, Grosvenor was raced by G. Tobias, T. K. Maltby and Mesdames B. J. Murphy and D. Day. Geoff Murphy trained the colt throughout his career, racing him in his famous red, black and white colours.

Scoring at Listed level at Caulfield in late September 1981, Grosvenor then ran three times into the brilliant Rancher running second to him in the Gr.3 Debutant Stakes and Listed Blue Diamond Prelude, then a third to him in the Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes.

At Flemington, over the longer distance of the Sires’ Produce Stakes, he won his first Group 1 from Cossack Prince. In Sydney he added the Gr.3 Pago Pago Stakes, before a great third to Marscay in the Gr.1 Golden Slipper Stakes. He finished his first season with a second in the Gr.1 AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr.1).

As a spring 3YO, he won the Gr.2 STC Gloaming Stakes, defeating Veloso, then ran second to him in the Gr.1 AJC Spring Champion Stakes. They clashed again in the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas with Grosvenor proving superior.

A close second to the mighty Kingston Town in the Gr.1 WS Cox Plate was followed by winning the Gr.1 Victoria Derby, beating Cossack Prince and Veloso. Grosvenor then headed west to Perth and ran third in the Gr.1 West Australian Derby.

He was retired to stud early due to a fetlock injury. Secured by Fieldhouse Stud in Matamata, Grosvenor was an resounding success, siring 54 stakes winners including 16 at Group 1 level.

1982: ALIBHAI (LOT 306)

**ALIBHAI**

Noble Bijou — Gem Flight, Colt
Breeder — Mr & Mrs B. J. Anderton
Vendor — White Robe Lodge, Mosgiel
Purchaser — T. J. Smith, Sydney
Purchase Price — $50,000
Top Price — $360,000

Champion Sydney trainer Tommy Smith purchased Alibhai on behalf of Sir Tristan Antico and B. Freyer. Breeders Brian and Lorraine Anderton established White Robe Lodge in the 1950s. The champion sire of this colt, Noble Bijou stood at White Robe Lodge as did the dam’s sire Mellay. Brian Anderton was inducted into the NZ Racing Hall of Fame in 2012.

Alibhai raced only twice as a 2YO. In the summer of his 3YO campaign he won three. In the autumn, he took out the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas by half a length, holding off a solid challenge from Beechcraft. A second to Prolific in the Gr.1 AJC Derby, was followed by a third in the Gr.1 AJC Sydney Cup, an ambitious undertaking for a three-year-old.

In the spring of 1984 in Melbourne, he recorded seconds in the Gr.2 Memsie Stakes and the Gr.2 Turnbull Stakes, then added his second Group 1 in the Caulfield Stakes defeating Prolific. Favourite in the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup, he was caught three wide, finishing fourth. His Melbourne visit ended with a second in the Gr.1 Mackinnon Stakes.

The autumn of 1985 saw Alibhai back in Sydney where he won the Gr.1 STC Rawson Stakes, then added his fourth career Group 1, the STC Tancred Stakes and ran second in the Gr.1 AJC Queen Elizabeth Randwick Stakes.

Retired to stud in New Zealand at Blandford Lodge in Matamata, he sired more than 60 winners, his best being the Group 2 winner Silk Ali and Group 3 winner Guessing Game.

1983: TRISTARC (LOT 362)

**TRISTARC**

Sir Tristram — Renarc, Filly
Breeder — Mr P. Hogan
Vendor — Cambridge Stud, Cambridge
Purchaser — Nick Columb, Melbourne
Purchase Price — $135,000
Top Price — $700,000

Bred by Sir Patrick Hogan (appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Thoroughbred breeding and training in the 2000 New Year Honours) at his famous Cambridge Stud nursery, Tristarc was selected at the 1983 National Yearling Sale by trainer Ross McDonald and flamboyant Melbourne owner Nick Columb, former journalist, businessman and Western Bulldogs AFL stalwart.

Taking 14 races to break her maiden at Morphettville in late October, she then recorded her first black-type when running third in the Listed VATC Catanach’s Hcp in February. Then in April, as a 14 to 1 chance, she won the Gr.1 AJC Derby, becoming only the sixth filly to do so.

In her 4YO season, a second in the Gr.2 VRC Craiglee Stakes in September was followed two weeks later with her second Group 1, the VATC Underwood Stakes. Tristarc then made it a hat trick of Group 1s when winning both the Caulfield Stakes and 1985 Caulfield Cup from Our Sophia by a head, to become the first mare to win the Cup since Analight in 1975. Just as thrilling as Tristarc’s win, was the performance of jockey Wayne Treloar. Sweating to get down to the correct weight, he got tinea, and by race day it had spread from his toes to his ankle and up to his groin. Immediately after the race he was admitted to hospital only semi-conscious.

Fourths in the Gr.2 AJC Expressway, Gr.2 AJC Chipping Norton Stakes and the Gr.1 STC Rawson Stakes, were followed by her sixth and final win in the AJC Queen Elizabeth Randwick Stakes, her fifth at Group 1 level.

Retired to stud she produced one winner from two foals.

1984: WAVERLEY STAR (LOT 418)

**WAVERLEY STAR**

Star Way — Super Show, Colt
Breeder — Mesdames D. Davison & R. Lamb
Vendor — Mapperley Stud, Matamata
Purchaser — R. J. Hinze, Queensland
Purchase Price — $25,000
Top Price — $450,000

When establishing Mapperley Stud in the 1960s, John & Doreen Davison imported a number of mares that included Waverley Star’s dam Super Show. The mares were put into the ownership of Doreen Davison and her sister Joan Lamb, the registered breeders of Waverley Star. Queensland’s Minister for Racing, Russ Hinze, purchased and raced the colt with his wife Fay, and named him after his farm Waverley Park. He was trained by Matamata trainers Dave and Paul O’Sullivan.

As a late 2YO, Waverley Star was third on debut. At three, he won four in a row before extending the streak to five in the AvJC Auckland Classic when beating Courier Bay by three and a half lengths. Defeating Magnitude in the Manawatu Higgins Mile at Awapuni brought his winning sequence to six, however, he went down by a nose in the Gr.1 ARC Easter Hcp to Cosmetique, his only loss at three. In his last start for the season, he won the Gr.2 ARC New Zealand Stakes by five lengths in a cracking time of 1:59.99 for 2000m, beating top class mare Solveig.

At four in New Zealand, he won the Pakuranga HC Admiralty Hcp with Bonecrusher third, Avondale’s Listed Westend Stakes, and the Matamata Cup by seven lengths.

Taken to Australia and renamed Our Waverley Star, at his next start he was beaten by the champion Bonecrusher after a torrid battle in the 1986 Gr.1 WS Cox Plate, in the race dubbed the ‘race of the century’. Travelling to Japan, he won the rich Gr.2 Fuji Stakes and ran fifth in the Gr.1 Japan Cup. After a winning return at Ellerslie he returned to Sydney where he won the Gr.1 AJC Chipping Norton Stakes and was second to Myocard in both the Gr.1 STC Rawson Stakes and the Gr.1 STC HE Tancred Stakes. In the 1987-88 season aged five, he recorded several good placings including thirds in the Gr.2 VATC JJ Liston Stakes and the Gr.1 AJC Doncaster Hcp.

1985: MYOCARD (LOT 463)

**MYOCARD**

Ivory Hunter — Double Game, Colt
Breeder — Puketutu Island Stud
Vendor — The Sir Henry Kelliher Trust, Puketutu Island
Purchaser — Dr Geoff Chapman, Rosehill
Purchase Price — $37,500
Top Price — $650,000

Founder of Dominion Breweries, industrial leader and philanthropist Sir Henry Kelliher was the breeder of Myocard. The stallion Ivory Hunter stood at his picturesque Puketutu Island Stud on Puketutu Island, which he purchased in 1938. A small volcanic island in the upper reaches of the Manukau Harbour connected to Mangere by a causeway. The colt was purchased by former Dubbo medical practitioner and Rosehill trainer Dr Geoff Chapman, as he was reputedly “the dead spit of Sir Ivor." Chapman raced the colt with his wife and Mr and Mrs J. M. Denoon.

Myocard started eight times at two and was successful on three occasions, which included the Listed Illawarra TC Brambles Classic. He also recorded a second to the filly Bounding Away in the Gr.1 AJC Champagne Stakes.

At three in Melbourne, in early 1987, Myocard bolted away with the Listed Autumn Classic at Caulfield by eight lengths. Then in Sydney, he won the Gr.1 STC Rawson Stakes (now Ranvet Stakes), defeating (Our) Waverley Star and Bonecrusher. Next was a win in the Gr.1 Tancred Stakes (now The BMW), again having the measure of Waverley Star, and seven days later he racked up a Group 1 treble by adding the AJC Australian Derby, beating the New Zealander Precocious Lad. The following week Myocard ran a gallant half-length second to Major Drive in the Gr.1 AJC Sydney Cup. Headed north for the Brisbane Carnival, he ran second in the Gr.2 PJ O’Shea Stakes, then fourth in the Gr.1 Queensland Derby.

His 4YO career yielded a third behind Beau Zam in the Gr.1 STC Segenhoe Stakes and at five he was placed once.

Retired to stud, Myocard sired more than 60 winners, the best was Arkady, winner of the Gr.1 Ranvet Stakes.

1986: SUPER IMPOSE (LOT 106)

**SUPER IMPOSE**

Imposing — Pheroz Fancy, Colt
Breeder — J. G. B. Grant
Vendor — Meadowlands Stud, Ardmore
Purchaser — Lee Freedman, Melbourne
Purchase Price — $40,000
Top Price — $750,000

Lee Freedman backed his judgement when purchasing the big chestnut who “toed in a bit and was a little offset in one knee,” for a syndicate of owners headed by Chris Biggins. The breeder was Jack Grant, a dairy farmer from Howick and son of Auckland Racing Club President Dr McGregor Grant, after whom the McGregor Grant Steeplechase was named. The mare Pheroz Fancy would become Broodmare of the Year in 1991.

Commencing a stellar career that spanned 74 starts and 8 Group 1 victories, Super Impose won on debut as a 3YO and recorded a second win in May. He had his maiden stakes success at four in the 1988 Listed VATC Eclipse Stakes, also winning the Gr.3 AJC Summer Cup. In the autumn, he won the Gr.2 TS Carlyon Cup and ran seconds to Vo Rogue in the Gr.2 CF Orr Stakes, Gr.2 St George Stakes and the Gr.1 VRC Australian Cup.

At five he won the Gr.2 VRC Turnbull Stakes and placed second in the 1989 Gr.1 Melbourne Cup to his stablemate Tawriffic. Placings in the Gr.2 CF Orr Stakes, Gr.2 VRC Blamey Stakes, Gr.1 VRC Australian Cup and Gr.1 STC Segenhoe Stakes followed by Super Impose breaking through for his first Group 1 victory in the 1990 $1m AJC Doncaster Hcp carrying 57kg from the outside barrier.

His first WFA win came at six in the Gr.2 AJC Warwick Stakes, while also completing the Doncaster/Epsom double when crushing his rivals in the 1990 Gr.1 AJC Epsom Hcp. Four months later he won three WFA races including the Gr.1 AJC Chipping Norton Stakes and the Gr.1 STC Ranvet Stakes. Then in his biggest performance, he defended his Gr.1 AJC Doncaster crown.

At seven, he recorded two Group 2 wins before defending his Gr.1 AJC Epsom Hcp crown, carrying 61kg to take the Doncaster/Epsom double for a second timeand recording his seventh Group 1 win in the AJC Chipping Norton Stakes.

At eight, in his penultimate start, he won the 1992 Gr.1 WS Cox Plate. When retired in 1993 with over $5.6 million in prizemoney, Super Impose was the highest stakes earner in Australian racing history. He was posthumously inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2007.

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 printed copy of this catalogue of best performers will be available to purchase online soon at shop.nzb.co.nz and at the Merchandise Store during Karaka 2026.

100 Years of racetrack legends: 1977 - 1986