Koru Thoroughbreds are gearing up for a busy week at Karaka where they will offer 13 yearlings at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales.

Farm principals Kevin and Julie Taylor are heading to the South Auckland sales venue for the fifth time under their Koru Thoroughbreds banner and they are looking forward to seeing how the sale unfolds.

“As a breeder we have been coming for about 25 years, but in our own right we have been coming for five years,” Kevin Taylor said.

“Our draft is a lovely bunch this year, so hopefully we go well.”

The couple will offer six yearlings through the Book 1 session and Taylor said they have received strong interest in their first yearling to go through the ring, lot 44, the Ocean Park colt out of a half-sister to Group One winners Hauraki and Kidnapped.

“Lot 44 is a stunning colt,” Taylor said. “He has thrown to the dam and looks very much like Criaderas (Group Two performed half-brother to the dam).”

They will also offer another Ocean Park colt in lot 370.

“He is out of an Anabaa mare and he looks just like his Dad,” Taylor said.

The Waikato farm’s Book 1 draft also includes two fillies – lot 151, by Turn Me Loose out of a sister to Group One performer Viennetta, and lot 252, the Ace High half-sister to eight-time winner O’Driscoll.

“We have got a lovely Ace High filly, she is very athletic and correct,” Taylor said.

“The Turn Me Loose is a lovely, big, loose walking filly and is probably one of the best walking fillies on the complex.

“We also have two Tivaci colts in Book 1 (lots 57 and 220). They are both nice horses but will take a little more time.”

Looking to Book 2, which begins at 11am on Thursday, the Taylors will put seven yearlings through the ring.

“We have got a very racy Russian Revolution (lot 695). He is a Karaka Millions type,” Taylor said.

“The Divine Prophet (lot 1012) and US Navy Flag (818) fillies are outstanding types and great walking fillies.”

While Taylor said it was difficult to get a feel for how the sale will unfold with international buyers still unable to be on the ground at Karaka, he has been buoyed by the number of initial inspections ahead of the sale.

“It is very hard to gauge as there are agents looking for half a dozen people, but the right people are here and looking, so all-in-all we are really happy,” he said.