Curraghmore will once again take a carefully selected draft to the Karaka Sales Centre later this month, with the renowned Waikato nursery preparing six youngsters for the 2026 NZB Weanling Sale.
For more than a decade, Curraghmore has been one of the dominant forces at the annual auction, consistently producing sought-after young stock and establishing a reputation for quality among breeders, pinhookers and racing owners alike. Farm principal Gordon Cunningham believes this year’s offering continues that tradition.
Karaka Weanling Sale 2026.
The respected operation has assembled a draft featuring colts by Sword of State, Ocean Park and Hilal, alongside fillies by Super Seth, Satono Aladdin and Chaldean. The line-up combines established sire power with the appeal of emerging stallions whose first crops are beginning to attract industry attention.
Curraghmore’s standing in the marketplace remains remarkable. The farm has topped the vendors’ table at the Karaka weanling auction for 12 consecutive years and again led the statistics at the two most recent editions of the sale.
Last year’s draft achieved total receipts of $465,000 from eight lots, while the 2024 offering generated more than $731,000, highlighting the enduring demand for the farm’s stock.
Cunningham said the preparation process remains as important as ever.
“We have always treated this sale with respect and take a lot of pride in offering weanlings with quality pedigree credentials as well as being good types,” he said.
“This year’s draft is essentially no different from those we’ve taken to the sale over the years – all six are individuals that I’m confident will stand scrutiny and have definite futures.”
Among the fillies is a September-born daughter of Satono Aladdin from the multiple-winning mare Tevere. The pedigree carries plenty of appeal, with Tevere earning black-type recognition during her racing career and Satono Aladdin already proving capable of producing elite-performing fillies.
A Super Seth filly from the Sepoy mare Forte also features in the draft. Forte is closely related to Group 1-winning sprinter Nechita, adding further depth to an already attractive pedigree page.
Completing the fillies is a Chaldean youngster from the Burgundy mare Top Note. The family includes New Zealand Oaks heroine Belle En Rouge, giving buyers access to a proven staying bloodline.
The colt division is headed by an Ocean Park youngster from Toffee Nose, a mare who performed at stakes level in Australia and has already produced multiple winners. The family traces back to celebrated racemares Tuesday Joy, Sunday Joy and More Joyous.
Hilal, one of the stallions attracting significant attention with his first crop, is represented by a colt from Drama Series. The pedigree includes South Australian and Australasian Oaks winner Episode and also links directly to top-class performer First Seal, a graduate of Curraghmore who enjoyed success at the highest level.
Rounding out the draft is a Sword of State colt from Falling, whose dam line includes Eight Carat Classic and Eulogy Stakes winner Alagant Satin.
While market conditions have become increasingly competitive, Cunningham remains optimistic about the prospects for quality youngsters.
“The recent sales in Australia suggest some tightening of the market, but I believe there’s no doubt that genuine horses will still bring good returns,” he said.
“That confidence doesn’t apply only to our own draft but this sale across the board for the right article. The Karaka weanling sale has stood the test of time. It offers pinhookers a good selection of investment opportunities as well as those buyers looking for a decent young horse to take through to racing.”
The Karaka Weanling Sale 2026 will be conducted at the Karaka Sales Centre on June 25, with a catalogue of 143 lots scheduled to go under the hammer. All youngsters offered will be eligible for nomination to the Karaka Millions Series, providing purchasers with access to one of New Zealand racing’s most lucrative incentive programmes.
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