After 31 years, Sir Patrick Hogan has provisionally been toppled as the leading vendor at the New Zealand Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka.

Curraghmore Stud has taken the title, selling 21 yearlings for a total of $NZ7.485 million ($A6.04 million) to earn the accolade by $430,000.

Gordon Cunningham's farm from near Hamilton just held off a challenge from Sir Patrick Hogan's Cambridge Stud, whose provisional aggregate was $7.055 million.

Sir Patrick, 74, had held the vendors' title since 1982.

Sir Patrick conceded the vendor's title after the sale, even though Cambridge Stud has a rough chance of heading Curraghmore if some of its unsold yearlings are later sold.

"I'm happy I made a close contest of it, but I'm thrilled to bits for Gordon," Sir Patrick said.

"He does a fantastic job, he's an asset to our industry, he always presents himself and his property well, and his horses are exceptionally well in the sale ring."

Curraghmore's offering included many horses bred in Australia and was highlighted by 10 yearlings by boom sire Fastnet Rock, including the $1.975 million sale-topper out of Celebria.

Cunningham, 49, thanked the owners who gave him the yearlings to sell and his staff for preparing them, and paid tribute to Sir Patrick's record.

"I've had the utmost respect for Sir Patrick Hogan from the time I came down to New Zealand (from Ireland) in 1984 and saw his professionalism.

"He's led our industry for years and years and years, and each and every one of us owe him so much for his innovation and marketing."

Cambridge Stud's draft had many more horses but did not have its usual selection of sale toppers. Its best price, $440,000 for a Zabeel filly by Veloce Bella, was the 10th equal best yearling.