Cover image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The China Horse Club’s Australasian representative Michael Smith believes inclusion of the Ready to Run Sale graduates would be a logical extension and generate benefits for the local thoroughbred industry.
Currently, weanling and yearling graduates are eligible to contest the Double Tree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO and the Karaka Million 3YO Classic to be run at Ellerslie on January 23.
“They are two key races of the year and something to be excited about and target a horse toward. Obviously, the Ready to Run Sale is a sale that a lot of overseas purchasers buy out of and you could be running your horse for NZ$1 million the next year,” Smith said.
“A lot of them stay here to be pre-trained anyway, they could have a crack at that and they could go abroad after.
“It could be wise for domestic buyers as well. If you’re a trainer trying to put together a syndicate of owners to buy a horse and that’s something to pitch to them.
“You could potentially have a shot at a NZ$1 million race in two months if things go right in addition to the 3-year-old race the following year.
“You could potentially have a shot at a NZ$1 million race in two months if things go right in addition to the 3-year-old race the following year.” – Michael Smith
“Who knows, there could even be a feature race for Ready to Run horses during the Sale, like they do with the Karaka Million, in November. Not only can these horse race in the two races in January, but they’ll have their own feature. It’s just another carrot.”
Smith initially floated the idea in a tweet on Thursday evening - “I didn’t ask a direct response, more so to put it out there and see what the feedback is to see if other people think if it’s a good idea or not,” he said.
New Zealand Bloodstock Managing Director Andrew Seabrook said the challenge of opening the Karaka Million series up to Ready to Run Sale horses is around timing issues.
Andrew Seabrook
Two-year-olds were prepared and breezed-up in October for the November sale and would then have to race soon after to secure enough prizemoney to gain a spot in the race.
“That would be very difficult to do for a 2-year-old that has been out of work after the build-up,” Seabrook said. “For the first time this year weanlings were eligible to enter the Karaka Million series.”
The auction house announced this week eight new Ready to Run Sale race sponsorships as well as prize packages for domestic trainers over the duration of spring.
NZB has introduced the incentives to support New Zealand trainers to attend the Sale in November with four races at Riccarton, and four others to be shared between New Plymouth, Hawke’s Bay and Wellington Racing Clubs. Full details of race dates will be released shortly.
The winning trainers will receive prizes, including travel and insurance vouchers.
Danny Rolston
“New Zealand buyers were responsible for a total spend of over NZ$5 million dollars at the 2019 Ready to Run Sale, so we are motivated to support our domestic trainers through this initiative and encourage them to attend our Ready to Run Sale in November,” Bloodstock Sales Manager Danny Rolston said.
“We anticipate that a number of New Zealand’s leading trainers will be attending our sales and we want to help them by offering our support and subsidising some of their purchase costs.”
Long way, short time
Smith has come a long way in the thoroughbred industry in a relatively short space of time to his current role with the China Horse Club, principally managing the day-to-day affairs of the operation in this part of the world as assistant to Racing and Bloodstock Manager Michael Wallace.
“I’ve been with the China Horse Club for three years after completing the Darley Flying Start course. It’s very busy, but fantastic and my dream job coming out of the Flying Start in an all-encompassing bloodstock role,” Smith said.
“I was very fortunate to get the position and be able to work for them and have Michael as my boss.”
“I was very fortunate to get the position and be able to work for them and have Michael as my boss.” - Michael Smith
Originally from California, Smith was drawn to the industry by necessity when in Australia as part of a world trip.
“I needed a job and got one with a stud farm and I’ve kicked on from there. I worked at Patinack Farm and had zero racing experience when I got that job,” Smith said. “I rode western horses in the United States so I did have horse experience.”
Michael Smith (left) | Image courtesy of Waterford Bloodstock
Smith attended the California Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness and was selected for the Flying Start program, paving the way for his current role.
“I’m loving life in New Zealand, it’s the most beautiful country and the breadth of geography you get in such a short space is incredible. There’s such fantastic people here too, so friendly and practical,” he said.
