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 1987 - 1996 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 Merchandise Store during Karaka 2026.

1987: THE PHANTOM (Lot 104)

**THE PHANTOM**

Noble Bijou — The Fantasy, Colt
Breeder — A.G., K.J., M.C. & P.R. Dennis
Vendor — White Robe Lodge, Mosgiel
Purchaser — K. Lawrence, Christchurch
Purchase Price — $50,000
Top Price — $800,000

Notable breeders and farmers from Woodlands in the deep south, the Dennis brothers have bred from their legendary “The” family for over 60 years and in 2015 were recognised with New Zealand’s Outstanding Contribution to Racing award. This colt, from the prolific winner The Fantasy, who was Broodmare of the Year in 1994, was sold to Harry Kain and John Lawrence minutes after being passed in at the final National Yearling Sale to be held at Trentham, and was raced in partnership with friends. Previously, Kain and Lawrence had owned 1986 Caulfield Cup winner and National Yearling Sale graduate Lomondy. The Phantom was trained by Woodville trainer, Murray Baker.

Winning on debut as a 3YO, The Phantom then ran second in the Listed Hawke’s Bay Guineas before scoring Group 2 success in the Awapuni Gold Cup. Taken to Adelaide for two starts, he placed in the Listed Chairman’s Stakes and the Gr.1 South Australian Derby.

As a 4YO in Melbourne he had six starts, running third in both the Gr.1 VATC Underwood Stakes and Gr.1 VATC Caulfield Cup followed by fourth in the 1989 Gr.1 VRC Melbourne Cup. Returning home, he won at Hawera then ran second to Horlicks in Ellerslie’s Gr.1 DB Draught Classic.

In Melbourne at five, he won the Gr.2 VATC Memsie Stakes before securing his first Group 1 win in the VATC Underwood Stakes. Starting in the 1990 Gr.1 VRC Melbourne Cup, he finished second to Kingston Rule.

After an injury, The Phantom had two and a half years off racing, making a bold return as an eight-year-old in September 1993. Now trained by Noel Eales, he won the Gr.3 Wanganui JC Central Stakes and placed third in the Gr.2 Taranaki Stakes. Back in Melbourne, he finished second to Naturalism in the Gr.1 VATC Caulfield Stakes and third in the Gr.1 VATC Caulfield Cup. He then won his second Group 1 the VRC LKS Mackinnon Stakes by four lengths, beating Fraar and Naturalism. Home for the New Year he finished second in the Gr.1 ARC Auckland Classic, and at Te Rapa won the Gr.1 Waikato RC International Stakes by three lengths for his third Group 1, the last of his ten wins.

Race Record — 40:10-6-7
Earnings — A$1,687,683

1988: COURTZA (LOT 245)

**COURTZA**

Pompeii Court — Hunza, Filly
Breeder — Waikato Stud Ltd
Vendor — Waikato Stud Ltd, Matamata
Purchaser — Nick Columb, Melbourne
Purchase Price — $300,000
Top Price — $800,000

Public company, Waikato Stud Ltd, who had purchased Waikato Stud from American oil tycoon Nelson Bunker Hunt, bred Courtza from Hunza, subsequently the 1989 Broodmare of the Year. Courtza was sold at the inaugural National Yearling Sale at the new Karaka Sales Centre in 1988, and was one of only two fillies offered by Pompeii Court.

Purchased by successful owner Nick Columb the filly, like Tristarc, was trained by Ross McDonald.

Courtza ran second at Caulfield on debut in late January 1989, before finishing second at her second start in the Gr.3 VATC Blue Diamond Stakes Prelude 1000m. Two weeks later she won the Gr.3 VATC Blue Diamond Prelude 1100m, and the following week she easily won the Gr.1 VATC Blue Diamond Stakes by four lengths.

Starting as favourite, Courtza then went on to win the Gr.1 STC Golden Slipper Stakes, going away to win by a length and a half. Courtza became the first New Zealand-bred filly to land the Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper. No other New Zealand-bred has matched her historic double.

The following spring, Courtza was back in action to run fifth in the Gr.1 MVRC Manikato Stakes, then won second up in the Gr.2 Ascot Stakes at Flemington. Seven days later she recorded another easy win in the Gr.2 Veuve Clicquot Stakes at Moonee Valley. She ran third to Zabeel in the Gr.2 Moonee Valley Stakes, but after unplaced runs in the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas, the Gr.1 WS Cox Plate and the Gr.2 VRC Wakeful Stakes in the spring and two further unplaced starts in the autumn, she was retired.

As a broodmare, she foaled the brilliant O’Reilly, a multiple champion sire in New Zealand.

Race Record — 14:5-2-1
Earnings — A$1,848,550

1989: PHAROAH (LOT 78)

**PHAROAH**

Sackford — Chateau Leica, Colt
Breeder — Ra Ora Stud Ltd
Vendor — Ra Ora Stud Ltd, Auckland
Purchaser — J.B. Cummings, Melbourne
Purchase Price — $550,000
Top Price — $1,200,000

The famous Ra Ora Stud was established by business tycoon Sir Woolf Fisher of Fisher and Paykel fame in the 1950s. Following Sir Woolf Fisher’s death in 1975, the Stud was run by the Trustees of his Estate and floated as a public company in the 1980s. However, the Estate bought Ra Ora back in the late 1980s, and during this time bred this Sackford colt.

Pharaoh was knocked down to Bart Cummings for $550,000 at the Premier Session of the 1989 National Yearling Sale. Although with a cooling economy and the colt having not been syndicated, he was resold at auction in Australia to Tommy Smith for A$70,000. Smith had been an underbidder on the colt when he was first offered at Karaka. The colt was named Pharaoh by Tommy Smith and was trained by both Tommy and his daughter Gai Waterhouse.

Pharaoh was placed at two and won twice at three. At the back end of his 4YO season, he again won twice, both times at Randwick.

At five, just prior to Christmas, he finished second in the Gr.2 AJC Villiers Stakes and the next month landed his maiden stakes win, the Listed Tattersall’s Club Cup. In March, he won the Gr.3 AJC Liverpool City Cup. A Listed placing in Rosehill’s Royal Parma Stakes preceded a winter trip to Brisbane where he was twice third, in the Gr.2 Sir Byrne Hart Stakes and the

Gr.1 Stradbroke Hcp.

Flemington in November of his 6YO season saw him run third in the Gr.1 VRC Nissan Stakes, third in the Gr.2 AJC Villiers Stakes, then in January he defended his Tattersall’s Cup crown from the previous year. In the autumn, he ran fourth in Rosehill’s Gr.1 George Ryder Stakes, then back at Randwick he won the Gr.1 AJC Doncaster Hcp with a late run to score by a nose.

Returning at seven, Pharaoh won the Gr.2 Apollo Stakes and the Gr.1 Chipping Norton Stakes in March. In April, he was third in the Gr.1 STC George Ryder Stakes and wrapped up the season with his second Gr.1 Doncaster Hcp. After two Group 2 fourths, he was retired at age eight.

Race Record — 57:11-9-7
Earnings — A$2,005,977

1990: SOLVIT (LOT 916)

**SOLVIT**

Morcon — Yallah Sun, Colt
Breeder — R.N. Waddell
Vendor — Repotane Stud, Hamilton
Purchaser — Mrs M. Murdoch, Waiuku
Purchase Price — $4,500
Top Price — $550,000

Waiuku trainer Moira Murdoch formed a family partnership with a budget of $10,000 to buy one of two Morcon colts in the Sale’s second session, securing this Lot for just $4,500. Breeder Neill Waddell, before establishing Repotane Stud in Hamilton, had bred Angus cattle and Southdown sheep in Gisborne.

Although small, Solvit showed promise in his first season, winning at Pukekohe for one of his two wins, despite his aversion to right-handed tracks.

In September during his second season, he finished third behind future champion Veandercross in the Listed Hawke's Bay Guineas, then beat Veandercross in the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas, adding the Gr.3 Waikato Guineas at his next start.

Although unsuccessful in Melbourne in the autumn, after an open Handicap win at New Plymouth and a Group 3 second in the Great Northern Challenge Stakes at Ellerslie, Solvit returned to Melbourne to win the Gr.3 Waterford Crystal Mile, signalling a bright future. Back home, he ran third in Ellerslie’s Gr.2 Bluebird Foods Trophy, and returned to Ellerslie in March to land his first Group 1, the Air New Zealand Stakes.

His 5YO season included the Hastings Spring Carnival, where he was third in the Group 3 Sprint on the first day and then second in the Gr.2 Kelt Capital Stakes, splitting Calm Harbour and Castletown. Back at Moonee Valley, he ran second in the Gr.1 WS Cox Plate to The Phantom Chance. At home, he added the Listed Manawatu Challenge Stakes and successfully defended his Gr.1 Air New Zealand Stakes crown.

At six, back at the Hastings Spring Carnival, he finished second in the Group 3 Sprint then won the Gr.2 Kelt Capital Stakes before going on to win the 1994 Gr.1 WS Cox Plate. Taking the lead at the 1600m point and gamely holding out a fast-finishing Rough Habit to win by a short head. He also made Murdoch one of only two female trainers in Cox Plate history to claim the prestigious prize. He added the Gr.3 ARC Clifford Plate the following January.

At seven, he was third in the Gr.2 Hawke's Bay Enerco Stakes, second in the Gr.2 Kelt Capital Stakes and won the Gr.3 ARC Great Northern Challenge Stakes, his last victory.

Race Record — 52:15-7-4
Earnings — A$1,656,052

1991: SLIGHT CHANCE (LOT 12)

**SLIGHT CHANCE**

Centaine — Lady Aloof, Filly
Breeder — G.J. Chittick
Vendor — Thornton Park Stud, Longburn
Purchaser — Silverdale Lodge Synd, Sydney
Purchase Price — $22,500
Top Price — $325,000

Prior to purchasing Waikato Stud in 1993, Garry & Mary Chittick established Thornton Park Stud in Masterton, later shifting the operation to Longburn in Palmerston North where they stood the champion sire Centaine. This filly, from Centaine’s fourth crop, would give Garry Chittick the first of his ten Breeder of the Year awards. In 2016 he was inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.

Raced by her buyers, the Silverdale Lodge Syndicate, which was managed by Arthur Morris, Slight Chance stepped out ten times at two and proved extremely promising with five wins and three seconds. Her first win was on debut at Rosehill in December and in the autumn she won the Listed AJC Kindergarten Stakes at Randwick. Taken to Brisbane, she landed a notable double winning the Gr.1 Sires’ Produce Stakes and Gr.1 Castlemaine Stakes.

Her 3YO season brought victories in the Gr.3 NSW Tatt’sRC Roman Consul Stakes and the Gr.1 AJC Flight Stakes in Sydney. In Melbourne, she ran fifth in the Gr.1 Caulfield One Thousand Guineas, and promoted to third in the Gr.1 WS Cox Plate behind Super Impose. The following week she won the Gr.1 VRC Oaks by a length beating Mahaya and Burst. After several quality placings in the New Year, she won the Gr.1 STC Ansett Australia Stakes. She then finished second in the Gr.1 AJC Oaks before returning to Brisbane and finishing third in the Gr.2 Queensland Guineas. Slight Chance then won her sixth Group 1 when taking out the Queensland Oaks.

At four, she ran third in the Gr.1 AJC George Main Stakes and won at Eagle Farm in the winter. At five, she ran second in the Gr.2 AJC Warwick Stakes and ended her career with a win in the Gr.2 STC Hill Stakes, her twelfth win.

At stud she produced eight foals, seven to race and seven winners, including Group 3 winners Salgado and Dane Shadow.

Race Record — 43:12-7-3
Earnings — A$1,735,720

1992: TRISTALOVE (LOT 313)

**TRISTALOVE**

Sir Tristram — Diamond Lover, Filly
Breeder — Mrs J.A. & P. Hogan
Vendor — Cambridge Stud, Cambridge
Purchaser — R. McAnulty, Auckland
Purchase Price — $250,000
Top Price — $325,000

Bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, this filly was trained in New Zealand by Dave and Paul O’Sullivan for Hong Kong owners Lam and Feng Thoroughbreds Ltd and managed by their agent, Rob McAnulty.

Tristalove made her debut a winning one at Ellerslie and went two-for-two at Te Rapa the next month. Four weeks on, she won the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes to remain unbeaten, at which point her trainers took her to Sydney. In Rosehill’s Gr.2 Magic Night Stakes, she was a distant second to Bint Marscay. However, she won the Gr.1 Sires’ Produce Stakes at Randwick, beating Justice Prevails.

Bart Cummings took over her training at three. She won fresh up at Sandown, third in the Gr.2 VRC Edward Manifold Stakes when her saddle slipped, and fourth in the Gr.1 VATC One Thousand Guineas. Resuming in February after a second up fourth, she then won her next five in succession, beginning with the Listed Schweppes Cup at Caulfield, the Gr.2 AV Kewney Stakes, Gr.2 Alister Clark Stakes, Gr.3 SAJC Adelaide Guineas and the Gr.1 SAJC Australasian Oaks.

The spring of her 4YO career saw her fourth in the Gr.2 VATC Memsie Stakes, winning in the Gr.2 John F. Feehan Stakes, and third in the Gr.2 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. The following autumn after two black-type thirds, she was retired.

At stud, she contributed mightily to the Eight Carat dynasty by foaling four stakes winners, namely Viking Ruler (Gr.1 AJC Spring Champion Stakes); Lovetrista (Gr.2 Waikato Gold Cup); Kempinsky (Gr.2 AAMI Vase) and Listed winner Diamond Like, who herself is the dam of two Group winners.

Race Record — 26:11-1-4
Earnings — A$789,864

1993: ALLEGRO (LOT 699)

**ALLEGRO**

Red Tempo — Gallant Heights, Colt
Breeder — Carbine Investments Ltd & Co
Vendor — Mrs C.A. Watton, Cambridge
Purchaser — C.J & Mrs C.L. Wood, Cambridge
Purchase Price — $40,000
Top Price — $325,000

Purchased as a weanling at an Allegra Park Dispersal Sale in July 1992 by Mrs Carol Watton for $7,500, the colt was re-presented as a yearling at the Select Session of the 1993 National Yearling Sale, where he was purchased by Cambridge trainers Chris and Colleen Wood on behalf of Henry and Pamela Ward.

Winning at Te Aroha in January 1994, Allegro recorded his first black-type with a third in the Gr.3 Taranaki 2YO Classic, and two starts later finished a half-length second in the Gr.1 Ellerslie Sires’ Produce Stakes.

At three, he scored fresh up at Riccarton, followed by a close third in the 1994 Gr.1 Levin RC Bayer Classic to Avedon, and a 1600m win at Te Rapa. At Trentham he raced away to easily win the Gr.3 WRC Wellington Stakes by four lengths, then a week later won again at Trentham. Three weeks on at Otaki, he made it three on end, when winning the Gr.1 WFA Otaki Maori RC Stakes, defeating top sprinters Ensign Ewart and Avedon. Returning to Trentham, he held on gamely to win the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes in a smart 1:33.6 over the 1600m.

In Sydney for four starts, he ran second in the 1995 Gr.1 STC Canterbury Guineas. Back home at Te Rapa as a 4YO, he won the Gr.1 Waikato Draught Sprint, defeating Kingston Bay when running 1:22.32 for the 1400m.

Spelled until October, he recorded an easy win at Riccarton’s Cup meeting over 1400m as a 5YO, and recorded a Listed placing at Te Rapa. Following a few unplaced runs at six, he was retired.

Race Record — 40:9-5-5
Earnings — A$296,170

1994: OCTAGONAL (LOT 121)

**OCTAGONAL**

Zabeel — Eight Carat, Colt
Breeder — Mrs J.A. & P. Hogan
Vendor — Cambridge Stud, Cambridge
Purchaser — Wrightson Bloodstock (as agent)
Purchase Price — $210,000
Top Price — $275,000

Cambridge Stud’s Sir Patrick Hogan wasted no time in giving Zabeel his best chance to succeed by sending Eight Carat, already the producer of two Group 1 winners, to him in his first season. The resulting yearling was purchased by Wrightson Bloodstock on behalf of the Sydney-based chicken processing giants Jack and Bob Ingham, and was trained by John Hawkes for their Woodlands Stud empire.

Tried in December 1994 at two, Octagonal won at Rosehill on debut and then returned in March to land the Gr.2 Todman Slipper Trial Stakes. Two weeks later, he ran second to Flying Spur in the Gr.1 STC Golden Slipper Stakes. He then added the Gr.1 AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes and ended his first campaign with a second in the Gr.1 AJC Champagne Stakes, his results crowning him the Australian Champion 2YO.

His 3YO career began with two blacktype wins and a placing. He was then beaten into third by Our Maizcay in the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas in Melbourne. Next he won the 1995 Gr.1 WS Cox Plate by a head from Mahogany, and ran second in the Gr.1 Victoria Derby to Nothin’ Leica Dane. Returning the following year, he ran second in the Gr.2 Hobartville Stakes, then racked up four successive Group 1 wins – the Canterbury Guineas, Rosehill Guineas, Mercedes Classic and the AJC Derby, in which he caught Saintly on the line, completing the Triple Crown and claiming the Australian Horse of the Year title.

At four, he won the Gr.1 Underwood Stakes, ran second in the Gr.2 AJC Apollo Stakes and won the Gr.1 Chipping Norton Stakes. He gamely landed the Gr.1 VRC Australian Cup before defending his Mercedes Classic crown, winning by a nose to become the highest-earning Australian racehorse in history. ‘The Big O,’ as he was affectionately known, bowed out with a second in the Gr.1 AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes to claim a career record of 10 Group 1 wins.

At stud he sired 25 stakes winners, including Lonhro, Champion Australian Sire in 2011. Octagonal's dam Eight Carat was named Broodmare of the Year on three successive occassions while in 2025 Octagonal was inducted to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.

Race Record — 28:14-7-1
Earnings — A$5,892,231

1995: EBONY GROSVE (LOT 520)

**EBONY GROSVE**

Grosvenor — Dusky Rosa, Colt
Breeder — J. & Mrs J.F. Blackburn
Vendor — Ra Ora Stud, Auckland
Purchaser — G. Sanders, Te Awamutu
Purchase Price — $100,000
Top Price — $325,000

Breeders John and Joan Blackburn, West Australian dairy farmers, on retirement, travelled to New Zealand and purchased three broodmares, striking gold with Ebony Grosve’s granddam Surprising.

Ebony Grosve, as Lot 520 at the 1995 National Yearling Sale, was the last lot to be offered during the Premier Session. The purchaser was Te Awamutu trainer Graeme Sanders for Clyde Buckingham. Owner of a printing business in Auckland, Buckingham had developed an interest in thoroughbreds through an association with Mapperley Stud’s Kit Davison. Ebony Grosve, whom he raced with his wife Patricia, her sister Shirley and her husband Trevor Tobin, was one of the first horses Buckingham purchased. The striking colt was named after the Grove Hotel where he was known to drink with friends before heading to the rugby at Eden Park.

Trained by Graeme Rogerson, Ebony Grosve placed in Sydney in one of his two starts at two, and at three broke his maiden when taking out the Listed Newcastle JC Spring Stakes. He followed that up with a second in the Listed AJC Dulcify Hcp and two weeks later he recorded a close second to Magic of Sydney in Randwick’s Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes. In Melbourne, he ran third in the Listed VATC Norman Robinson Stakes and dead-heated for second in the Gr.1 Victoria Derby.

In Sydney in the autumn, he ran third in the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas, then two weeks later won the Gr.1 AJC Australian Derby. The following week he was third in the Gr.1 Sydney Cup to Linesman.

His 4YO season started with a win in the Gr.2 STC Hill Stakes, followed by fourths in the Gr.3 AJC Craven Plate and Gr.1 AJC Metropolitan Hcp. Ebony Grosve then won the Gr.1 LKS Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington.

After a few placings at five, he was retired to stud, standing at Wychwood Farm, Ohaupo. He sired 36 winners including Mandella, winner of four Group races and three listed races, earning close to $900,000.

Race Record — 29:4-7-4
Earnings — A$1,469,715

1996: TYCOON LIL (LOT 267)

**TYCOON LIL**

Last Tycoon — Imposing Bloom, Filly
Breeder — Tesio Bloodstock NZ Ltd
Vendor — Ascot Farm, Cambridge
Purchaser — P.J. Walker, Clevedon
Purchase Price — $100,000
Top Price — $525,000

David Thomas and Lorraine Smith of Davilora Lodge in Victoria pinhooked this filly from breeders Brent Gillovic and Don McIlraith of Tesio Bloodstock NZ Ltd and placed her with boutique preparers, Maureen and Bruce Harvey of Ascot Farm, to present for sale. She was purchased by Peter Walker with a view of establishing his own broodmare band.

Racing from the stable of Colin Jillings, Tycoon Lil bolted in by four lengths on debut at Pukekohe. At three, she finished second in the Gr.3 Hawke's Bay Gold Trail Stakes before claiming her second win at Avondale. Later in October she was second in Trentham’s Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes. Two starts at Riccarton in November resulted in an easy win in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas, and a second to the filly Foxwood in the Gr.1 2000 Guineas.

At Ellerslie for the Christmas Carnival, she was third in the Gr.3 Ladies Mile and won the Gr.3 Royal Stakes by two lengths. Tycoon Lil went to Trentham where she won the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks by four lengths and then at Te Rapa for the Gr.2 Sir Tristram Classic, she led all the way to win in a slick 2:00.83 over 2000m.

In Sydney, she had two starts for a five length win in the Gr.1 Canterbury Guineas, then was narrowly beaten a half-head by Tie The Knot in the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas.

At four, she was a head-bobbing second to Batavian in the Gr.2 Hawke's Bay Mudgway Partsworld Stakes. Then two starts in Sydney brought seconds in the Gr.2 Theo Marks Stakes and the Gr.1 George Main Stakes. In Melbourne she finished second to Might and Power in the Gr.1 Yalumba Stakes, and third in the Gr.1 WS Cox Plate. Back home she took out the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes and in her final race, in Hong Kong, finished outside the first three for the only time in her career.

At stud, she produced five winners including the Group 1 placed Estee and Empress Lily. Her great granddaughter Daisies is a Group 2 and dual Group 3 winner.

Race Record — 20:8-8-3
Earnings — NZ$1,038,951

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.