It was a pleasure to be on the grounds for the centenary of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale, a longstanding source of success for DGR since its relocation to Karaka in 1988.

The NZB team and New Zealand farms did a wonderful job paying tribute to the sale’s history and the people who have shaped it over the years. A particular highlight was catching up with NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook to look through the tribute book, which proudly featured our very own champion, So You Think, as one of seven horses of truly legendary status.

One of my first forays to Karaka would have been in 1994, when scouting as agent for the late Dato’ Tan Chin Nam and Bart Cummings. My first major winner came from that sale in Catalan Opening, who went on to win the Doncaster (Gr1), Chrysler Stakes (Gr1) (now Champions Mile), and Bart Cummings’ only international major with the Hong Kong Bowl. Throughout his career, Catalan also ran second in the Newmarket (Gr1), Toorak (Gr1) and All Aged (Gr1), and finished a notable third to Might And Power in both the Caulfield Cup (Gr1) and Queen Elizabeth (Gr1), alongside other Group 2 and Group 3 wins.

Dato’ Tan raced Catalan Opening on his own while testing out a young DGR. Confident I might not tarnish his name, Dato’ went on to introduce his friends and business partners to source subsequent Karaka purchases through our advice, including First Seal (Flight S., Gr1), Norzita (Vinery and Flight S., Gr1), Roman Emperor (ATC Derby, Gr1), Allez Wonder (Gr1), champion So You Think and other notable mentions such as two-time Moonee Valley Cup winner Precedence, who ran in four Melbourne Cups with Sir Patrick Hogan and The Duchess of Bedford.

Other ‘junior’ winners to make the Melbourne Cup from our Karaka purchases include Perpetual Check, Grandmaster, Accumulate and Zazabelle (3rd Melbourne Cup & VRC Oaks).

A special mention to Pendragon, who Dato’ held fondly and gave a shot at stud at his newly formed Think Big Stud in the Southern Highlands of NSW, after winning the Gloaming (Gr3) and Norman Robinson (Gr3), and placing in races including the Illawarra Classic at two and the Golden Rose (Gr1) at three.

Other Group and Stakes winners to come from Karaka for Dato’ and his mates to race included Kroner, Beat The Fade, Kudakulari, Prince Arthur, Book Of Kells and more recently Oaks placegetters So Dazzling and Powers Of Opal.

I hope you enjoyed the read. You can watch my short recap video here.

Best wishes,
Duncan Ramage