New Zealand Bloodstock announced today that the 95th National Yearling Sales Series will be held in the original timeslot in January next year as a physical sale at Karaka.
While a secondary April date was initially set aside to allow for travel restrictions to ease; with the ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks, non-confidence from government and airlines and the lack of certainty that any change should amount between now and April, the decision was made not to delay the Sale.
“If you asked me one month ago, there was a distinct possibility the borders between New Zealand and Australia would be open by April,” New Zealand Bloodstock managing director Andrew Seabrook said in a statement.
“However the landscape has changed significantly since, and the prospects of the border opening in the first half of next year are diminishing by the day.
“Our main focus over the last couple of months has been discussing, analysing and liaising with our buyers and vendors in an effort to ascertain the optimum time to sell next year. It is an incredibly important decision and one that we need to get right.
“We canvassed a range of our leading purchasers in all of the major jurisdictions with surprising, but encouraging findings. The resounding response was they believe the traditional week in January is the best time for our Sale, despite travel restrictions.” Seabrook said.
Karaka 2021 is set to showcase the very best New Zealand thoroughbreds, with Book 1 commencing selling across three days from Sunday January 24, followed immediately by Book 2 on Wednesday 27 through to Friday January 29. (pic: Trish Dunell)
The Karaka Million Twilight Meeting at Ellerslie will be on Saturday January 23 and host to the two $1 million races for graduates of the Sale.
“It is disappointing for buyers around the world who will miss out on the famous Karaka experience this year, but that will certainly be translated to the digital experience when purchasing from afar,” Seabrook said.