In a remarkable feat, the 2011 National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka will see Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan's world famous Cambridge Stud aiming to become the leading vendor by aggregate for the 30th consecutive year.

Cambridge Stud has a formidable record at the Karaka Yearling Sales. The Stud has sold seven of the eight all-time top priced yearlings at Karaka, and 11 yearlings that have surpassed the magical million dollar mark.

The Stud still holds the record for the highest priced yearling ever sold at auction in the Southern Hemisphere, with the $3.6 million Zabeel colt in 2000 that became the Group 1 AJC Derby winner Don Eduardo.

"What the stud has achieved over the last 29 years is a tribute to the staff who have worked here and the horses we have had," said Sir Patrick.

"We have been very fortunate to stand such wonderful horses such as Sir Tristram and now his son Zabeel, and they have done a lot for the stud and the Karaka Yearling Sales.

"It will be a huge achievement for Cambridge Stud if we can reach the 30th consecutive year, but the most important thing is for us to continue to turn out the best yearlings we can for the sale, and let the result take care of itself.

"Everyone has their time at the top, and although we are hoping to achieve the milestone, it would also be great for the industry to see other vendors achieve the top spot as well."

Cambridge Stud was also responsible for the highest priced yearling sold in Australasia in 2010, the Zabeel colt from Diamond Like who was knocked down for $2,000,000 to the bid of Sydney-based bloodstock agent James Bester.

Bester was overwhelming in his praise for the yearling at the time, and confirmed that Cambridge Stud is truly producing a world class product.

"I loved this colt, he just knocked me over when I first saw him. When I saw him the second time I decided that he would have to rate as the highest of all yearlings I had ever seen in the world."

Some of Cambridge Stud's most notable achievements include:

• 94/95, 95/96, 96/97 and 03/04 New Zealand Breeder of the Year.
• Five-time winner of the New Zealand Broodmare of the Year award.
• 03/04 New Zealand Owner of the Year.
• Rated World's Leading Stud in 2005 by the US Thoroughbred Times for percentage of stakes winners to runners for stallions standing at the stud.
• Resident champion sire Sir Tristram being inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame in 2008 for a stud career that saw him sire over 130 stakes winner and 45 Group 1 winners.
• Home of champion sire Zabeel (by Sir Tristram), the sire of 40 individual Group 1 winners including four last season alone, and the most successful Cox Plate sire in history.

The 2010 Karaka Yearling Sales saw Cambridge Stud sell 55 yearlings for a sales aggregate of $10.2 million, with an average of $187,064. In 2008, the stud amassed over $15.7 million with an average of $254,524.

In 2007 Sir Patrick pledged his unwavering support of the New Zealand National Yearling Sales Series by selling his yearlings there exclusively from Karaka 2008 onwards. At the time he noted,

"Zabeel has been represented this season by some outstanding performers and I see great strength in sending the clear message to buyers that if you want to buy Zabeel progeny you must come to New Zealand.

"In my view there is only one way to ensure the New Zealand Sale has the best possible catalogue and that is by leading by example."

Cambridge Stud has the largest draft in the Karaka Premier Sale with 51 yearlings, plus an additional 19 yearlings in the Karaka Select Sale.

Cambridge Stud has issued an open invitation to anyone wanting to view its 2011 Karaka yearling draft. This parade will be conducted from 1:30pm on Tuesday 25 January at 'I' Barn at the Karaka Sales Complex. For more information contact marg@cambridgestud.co.nz.

ENDS

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