An automated cryogenic storage system comprising: a freezer configured to store a plurality of sample racks in a cryogenic environment, the freezer including a door enabling access to the cryogenic environment through a port at the top portion of the freezer; a retrieval system including: a drive system mounted to the top portion of the freezer, the drive system being configured to rotate the sample racks to align a selected one of the sample racks with the port; an insulating sleeve configured to house the selected one of the sample racks above the port, the insulating sleeve including a sleeve port for enabling a user to access a selected sample box from the selected one of the sample racks; and a rack puller, the rack puller being configured to engage the selected one of the sample racks and elevate the selected one of the sample racks through the port and into the insulating sleeve, the system being characterised by a rack carrier configured to suspend each of the plurality of sample racks by a respective rack top portion, wherein the rack carrier further includes a rack mount (250, 351) at a top surface of the rack carrier and having a plurality of openings, the rack mount (250, 351) suspending each of the plurality of sample racks at a respective one of the plurality of openings. a freezer configured to store a plurality of sample racks in a cryogenic environment, the freezer including a door enabling access to the cryogenic environment through a port at the top portion of the freezer; a retrieval system including: a drive system mounted to the top portion of the freezer, the drive system being configured to rotate the sample racks to align a selected one of the sample racks with the port; an insulating sleeve configured to house the selected one of the sample racks above the port, the insulating sleeve including a sleeve port for enabling a user to access a selected sample box from the selected one of the sample racks; and a rack puller, the rack puller being configured to engage the selected one of the sample racks and elevate the selected one of the sample racks through the port and into the insulating sleeve, the system being characterised by a rack carrier configured to suspend each of the plurality of sample racks by a respective rack top portion, wherein the rack carrier further includes a rack mount (250, 351) at a top surface of the rack carrier and having a plurality of openings, the rack mount (250, 351) suspending each of the plurality of sample racks at a respective one of the plurality of openings. a drive system mounted to the top portion of the freezer, the drive system being configured to rotate the sample racks to align a selected one of the sample racks with the port; an insulating sleeve configured to house the selected one of the sample racks above the port, the insulating sleeve including a sleeve port for enabling a user to access a selected sample box from the selected one of the sample racks; and a rack puller, the rack puller being configured to engage the selected one of the sample racks and elevate the selected one of the sample racks through the port and into the insulating sleeve, the system being characterised by a rack carrier configured to suspend each of the plurality of sample racks by a respective rack top portion, wherein the rack carrier further includes a rack mount (250, 351) at a top surface of the rack carrier and having a plurality of openings, the rack mount (250, 351) suspending each of the plurality of sample racks at a respective one of the plurality of openings.