Changes have been agreed to for the 2024 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale at Karaka and Christchurch.
The trotting-only yearling sale will not be held in Christchurch next year. Instead the trotters will be combined with the pacing yearlings, as is the case in Auckland.
A Parade and Inspection day will also now be held at both venues on the day before the sales start. These have been a regular part of previous sales but did not feature this month.
“We have the overarching structure in place (for 2024 and beyond) and obviously will be having more discussion on the dates and details before locking everything into place, “ said NZB’s Director of Operations, James Jennings
The changes have been prompted mainly by last week’s Trotting sale in Christchurch where there was a clearance rate of 52 per cent, an average price of $33,694 and a median price of $19,000.
New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Association (NZSBA) Executive Manager John Mooney supports the decision to do away with the trotters-only sale.
“For the sale 75 trotting yearlings were catalogued, 67 presented, of which only 36 sold, 20 for under $20,000. Another poor result. This is not the best use of one-third of the three days of selling time at Christchurch.
“Everyone will have views as to why the trotting sale was a less than optimal result, despite some individual outstanding results. The time has come to try something new, and the sales company has made its decision.
Overall, after four days of sales in Auckland and Christchurch, the total turnover was $13,336,000 with an average of $50,901, a median price of $39,000 and a clearance rate of 69 percent.
This year around 400 yearlings were offered up, that number will decline under the new system.
“There were a number of yearlings whose pedigree and type, coupled with low-price expectation of the vendor, did not warrant being at a national yearling sale,” says Jennings.
So what happens to those yearlings who miss the cut?
“We will select the sales catalogues and those with yearlings found to be lacking the type and quality will be encouraged to seek other viable options for selling their horses, such as Gavelhouse.”
Final details, including the dates of next year’s sales at Auckland and Christchurch, have yet to be confirmed, and will only be released after further discussions between NZB, vendors and the NZSBA.
