The Gold Coast Sale often sets the tone for the Australasian yearling sale circuit to come, so New Zealand Bloodstock managing director Andrew Seabrook was understandably happy with what he saw in Queensland earlier this month.
A record number of seven-figure lots, brilliant gross and astounding average left everyone happy at the end of the Magic Millions gathering.
But they were not the only elements that ensured Seabrook was still smiling when he got back to New Zealand.
The 2023 Karaka Yearling Sale, which starts on Sunday, is the first unimposed by Covid border restrictions since 2020, and the chatter around in Queensland was unavoidable.
"Magic Millions always gives us a good guide, so I was very encouraged by what happened there, but probably more so by the number of people that told me at the sale that they were coming over here," Seabrook said.
"I didn't have to twist their arm at all, they were all just keen to get back here.
"It's been a tough couple of years here with the borders closed, we've probably felt it more than most countries being an export nation, so we're really excited that the borders are open and the feedback from Australian buyers and trainers has been fantastic.
"I think the stars are aligning for us. People are keen to get here, our horses are going well, we've got some nice stallions, and it's great to see so many faces that we haven't seen for three years."
NZB has pulled together a 1079-lot catalogue that will be offered across six days. The first 220 in the catalogue will go through on Sunday, Lots 221 to 440 on Monday with the remaining 204 in Book 1 on Tuesday.
The 435 lots that make up Book 2 will be sold across Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Among the headline lots on Day 1 is Lot 91, a colt by Super Seth out of Chandelier, who is the dam of Mo'Unga.
Half-relations to Mr Brightside (Lot 310), Melody Belle (Lot 344) and I'm Thunderstruck (Lot 437) will go through on Day 2, while a couple of three-quarter-brothers to Verry Elleegant will also be offered.
Lots 232 and 361 are both by Zed out of half-sisters to Opulence, who produced the Melbourne Cup winner after a meeting with Zed in 2014.
Seabrook thinks those who do make the effort to attend Karaka will be impressed with a catalogue he considers deeper than the past few years.
"It's better catalogue than it has been the last couple of years because we haven't lost as many horses overseas," he said.
"We've had a few horses go to Australian sales the last couple of years because of the uncertainty here in not being able to get buyers here.
"It's definitely stronger catalogue on paper."
The catalogue for this year's Karaka Yearling Sale is available here
