Strong International Trade Sets the Tone at Opening Auckland Session
16 February 2026
The Auckland session of the 2026 National Standardbred Yearling Sale saw 133 lots go under the hammer at the Karaka Sales Centre on Monday.
Following a record Sale in 2025, the aggregate reached $5,131,500, the average $55,777, median $40,000 and a clearance rate of 71% and climbing.
Leading buyer of the Auckland session was the Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan combination, purchasing four lots for $545,000, including the Sale-topping Lot 81. The international filly by Walner (USA) from Destinee Jenilou (FR) was secured for $220,000 from Hollis & Robertson Equine Services who prepared the trotter on behalf of Australian-based Yabby Dam Farms.
“She’s a very athletic filly, a nice long filly, a great head on her, good eye, she ticked all the boxes,” commented Barry Purdon.
“I contacted a few trainers in America who are informative about the Walner’s, and the fillies do a good job, which lead us to our decision.
“With the Walner factor, she could make a two-year-old, but we will let her tell us, we’ll give her every chance.”
Leading vendors were Breckon Farms, selling 27 lots for a total aggregate of more than $1.9 million. While the leading vendor by average title went to Hollis & Robertson Equine Services who sold six lots at an average of $102,917.
The leading sire by average was Captaintreacherous with seven lots selling for an average of $105,000, including the second top lot of the day. Lot 46, the colt out of champion mare Adore Me from Woodlands Stud, fetched $210,000 to the bid of Peter Lagan Standardbreds on behalf of owner Mick Boots, and will head to trainer Bob Butt.
NZB’s Director of Operations James Jennings reflected on the opening session.
"I think we can be pleased with the solid day of trade today."
"Off the back of a record Sale last year, our median has stayed on par and three lots sold for $200,000 or more.
"It has been particularly satisfying to see the Australian spend more than double at this session, and we know some of the Kiwis here are yet to purchase which bodes well for Christchurch.”
The Christchurch session of the Sale commences on Wednesday 18 February, with lots 134 to 320 selling from 11am (NZT). Yearlings will be available to inspect from Tuesday morning at the Canterbury Agricultural Park.
The Christchurch session will be beamed to viewers on Freeview channel 200, with coverage streamed live at nzbstandardbred.co.nz and on NZB Standardbred’s Facebook page. Presenter Greg O’Connor will bring key sale highlights and interviews throughout the day and will host a Preview Show prior to the Sale beginning at 10:30am (NZT).
All yearlings purchased at the 2026 National Standardbred Yearling Sale are eligible for the lucrative $1million Harness Million Sale Race Series. Entries close Friday 6 March. To enter your purchase email [email protected] or call +64 9 298 0055.
To make enquiries about any Passed Lots, contact NZB Standardbred’s Cam Bray at +64 21 737 199 or email [email protected]
View the Auckland session results here.
View the Auckland session highlights and lot-by-lot footage here.
2026 National Yearling Sale Statistics (as at end of selling) (Auckland Session)
| 2026 Auckland Sale | 2025 Auckland Sale | 2024 Auckland Sale | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregate | $5,131,500 | $5,709,500 | $4,338,000 |
| Average | $55,777 | $62,742 | $52,265 |
| Median | $40,000 | $40,000 | $40,000 |
| Clearance | 71% | 73% | 68% |
| Catalogued | 133 | 130 | 126 |
| Offered | 131 | 125 | 122 |
| Sold | 92 | 91 | 83 |
| Top Price | $220,000 Lot 81 (B.F) Walner - Destinee Jenilou | $360,0000 Lot 70 (B.C) Captaintreacherous - Adore Me $360,000 Lot 73 (B.C) Cataintreacherous - Bettor Twist |
$270,000 Lot 64 (B.F) Captainreacherous - Princess Tiffany |
2026 National Yearling Sale Top Lots (Auckland Session)
| Lot | Sire | Dam | Sex | Vendor | Purchaser | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81 | Walner | Destinee Jenilou | Filly | Hollis & Robertson Equine Services | Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan Racing Stables | $ 220,000 |
| 46 | Captaintreacherous | Adore Me | Colt | Woodlands Stud (NZ) Ltd | Peter Lagan Standardbreds | $ 210,000 |
| 91 | Bettor's Delight | First Class Lady | Colt | Woodlands Stud (NZ) Ltd | Solid Earth Pty Ltd | $ 200,000 |
| 16 | Sweet Lou | Rocknroll Roulette | Filly | Breckon Farms Ltd | Charles Joseph Limited | $ 190,000 |
| 96 | Sweet Lou | Enjoy Me | Colt | Breckon Farms Ltd | Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan Racing Stables | $ 170,000 |
| 113 | Walner | Hopeful Beauty | Colt | Hollis & Robertson Equine Services | Kyvalley Racing | $ 150,000 |
| 53 | Bettor's Delight | Always For You | Colt | Highfields Bloodstock | Kentuckiana Lodge Ltd | $ 140,000 |
| 93 | Captaintreacherous | Elle Mac | Colt | Breckon Farms Ltd | Peter Lagan Standardbreds | $ 140,000 |
| 102 | King Of Swing | Gladamare | Colt | Breckon Farms Ltd | Lincoln Farms Bloodstock Ltd | $ 140,000 |
| 114 | Sweet Lou | Lacy Linda | Colt | Breckon Farms Ltd | PI & GJ Kennard Bloodstock Ltd | $ 140,000 |
2026 National Yearling Sale Leading Buyers (Auckland Session)
| Purchaser | Aggregate | Lots | Top Price | Top Lot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan Racing Stables | $ 545,000 | 4 | $ 220,000 | 81 |
| Kentuckiana Lodge Ltd | $ 519,000 | 9 | $ 140,000 | 53 |
| Peter Lagan Standardbreds | $ 445,000 | 3 | $ 210,000 | 46 |
| Stonewall Stud | $ 325,000 | 4 | $ 115,000 | 14 |
| PI & GJ Kennard Bloodstock Ltd | $ 305,000 | 4 | $ 140,000 | 114 |
| Team Bond | $ 235,000 | 4 | $ 85,000 | 83 |
| Diamond Racing Stables | $ 205,000 | 4 | $ 70,000 | 54 |
| Solid Earth Pty Ltd | $ 200,000 | 1 | $ 200,000 | 91 |
| Lincoln Farms Bloodstock Ltd | $ 197,500 | 3 | $ 140,000 | 102 |
| Charles Joseph Limited | $ 190,000 | 1 | $ 190,000 | 16 |
2026 National Yearling Sale Leading Vendors by Aggregate (Auckland Session)
| Vendor | Offered | Sold | Aggregate | Average | Top Price | Top Lot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breckon Farms Ltd | 35 | 27 | $ 1,937,500 | $ 71,759 | $ 190,000 | 16 |
| Woodlands Stud (NZ) Ltd | 32 | 28 | $ 1,657,000 | $ 59,179 | $ 210,000 | 46 |
| Hollis & Robertson Equine Services | 12 | 6 | $ 617,500 | $ 102,917 | $ 220,000 | 81 |
| Highfields Bloodstock | 8 | 7 | $ 382,500 | $ 54,643 | $ 140,000 | 53 |
| JB Bloodstock Ltd | 18 | 11 | $ 333,500 | $ 30,318 | $ 70,000 | 54 |
2026 National Yearling Sale Leading Vendors by Average (three or more sold) (Auckland Session)
| Vendor | Offered | Sold | Average | Top Price | Top Lot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollis & Robertson Equine Services | 12 | 6 | $ 102,917 | $ 220,000 | 81 |
| Breckon Farms Ltd | 35 | 27 | $ 71,759 | $ 190,000 | 16 |
| Woodlands Stud (NZ) Ltd | 32 | 28 | $ 59,179 | $ 210,000 | 46 |
| Highfields Bloodstock | 8 | 7 | $ 54,643 | $ 140,000 | 53 |
| JB Bloodstock Ltd | 18 | 11 | $ 30,318 | $ 70,000 | 54 |
2026 National Yearling Sale Leading Sires by Average (three or more sold) (Auckland Session)
| Sire | Offered | Sold | Average | Aggregate | Top Price | Top Lot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Captaintreacherous | 9 | 7 | $ 105,000 | $ 735,000 | $ 210,000 | 46 |
| Bettor's Delight | 13 | 10 | $ 82,000 | $ 820,000 | $ 200,000 | 91 |
| Sweet Lou | 17 | 15 | $ 66,067 | $ 991,000 | $ 190,000 | 16 |
| Father Patrick | 4 | 3 | $ 61,667 | $ 185,000 | $ 120,000 | 127 |
| American Ideal | 5 | 4 | $ 47,500 | $ 190,000 | $ 60,000 | 122 |
| Always B Miki | 8 | 5 | $ 41,000 | $ 205,000 | $ 70,000 | 54 |
| Downbytheseaside | 19 | 16 | $ 33,563 | $ 537,000 | $ 85,000 | 83 |
| Art Major | 6 | 4 | $ 29,625 | $ 118,500 | $ 72,500 | 57 |
| What The Hill | 9 | 5 | $ 27,000 | $ 135,000 | $ 100,000 | 121 |
| Lather Up | 3 | 3 | $ 25,833 | $ 77,500 | $ 50,000 | 109 |