Written by Dane McLeod
Cover image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale is an auction with an outstanding record, and this year’s edition looks to be no exception with a quality line-up of well-bred juveniles. The November 12 and 13 sale has drawn a 480-strong catalogue, which is now online.
NZB Ready to Run Sale continues to deliver elite performers
The New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale continues to stamp itself as a leading source of elite talent, and recently graduates have flourished in Hong Kong, where the likes of Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) and Golden Sixty (Medaglia d’Oro) have flown the flag with distinction.
Last season alone, graduates of the sale claimed 10 Group 1 races and 12 other stakes races globally. Among the recent Group 1-winning alumni are Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}), Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth), Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}), Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) and War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel {Ire}) - all of whom have added to the growing prestige of the sale.
NZB’s Managing Director, Andrew Seabrook, reflected on the sustained success both on the track and in the sales ring.
Andrew Seabrook | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“The results of the last few years from this Sale have just been incredible. From the NZ$1.65 million colt last year, to the sheer number of Group 1 winners this season, there’s just no comparison.
“We are thrilled with the calibre of horses on offer again this year, educated by New Zealand’s elite horsemen and women. With the number of hotel bookings already, we’re looking forward to November and welcoming everyone back to Karaka.”
Stallion strength and quality bloodlines
The 2025 catalogue features 114 different sire lines, headlined by prominent New Zealand-based stallions such as Savabeel, Proisir, Per Incanto (USA) (Street Cry {IRE}), Satono Aladdin (Jpn), Almanzor (Fr) and Super Seth.
Savabeel | Standing at Waikato Stud
On the Australian front, Champion sires Zoustar, I Am Invincible, Written Tycoon and Snitzel are represented, along with exciting young stallions including Too Darn Hot (GB), Farnan, Home Affairs and Ole Kirk.
The catalogue showcases bloodlines from high-performing families, with over 90 siblings to black-type performers available.
There are also progeny of Group 1-winning mares including Miss Sentimental (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}), Consensus (NZ) (Postponed {USA}), Foxplay (Foxwedge) and Anabandana (Anabaa {USA}), along with 2-year-olds out of 76 stakes-performed mares.
Miss Sentimental (NZ) | Image courtesy of Sportpix
A diverse group of vendors
This year, 29 vendors will present drafts at Karaka, ranging from large-scale operations to more boutique offerings. A real up-and-coming vendor is Prima Park, which has increased its focus on the Ready to Run Sale and will present 22 lots in the 2025 edition.
Kelly Van Dyk, Managing Director of Prima Park, spoke about the importance of this particular sale to their operation.
Kelly Van Dyk | Image courtesy of Prima Park
“It’s something we have looked to focus on more as the years have gone by. I think as you get better at it, the more interest you have, and we were lucky to get some good results last year.”
Among those results were an Exceed And Excel colt sold for NZ$370,000, a Toronado (Ire) gelding for $260,000, a Savabeel colt for NZ$210,000, and a Proisir filly for NZ$280,000.
“With the good results we achieved last year, we have had more outside clients interested in the horses we have purchased, and other people utilising us for the sale, so we have more firepower and a nice mix.”
Exceed And Excel x Cottoned On colt | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
When asked about the type of horses Prima Park targets for the Ready to Run Sale, Van Dyk said: “We certainly are sourcing horses to target this sale, obviously, there is the odd yearling that didn’t make it at the yearling sale for various reasons, which are also included.
“There is an increased demand for quality from the market and a very well-established buying bench. Hong Kong is a huge buyer, but then we had Te Akau buy a colt for NZ$1.65 million last year, and lots of Australian buyers, so you can have a lot of confidence in putting your horses forward in this sale.”
Prima Park | Image courtesy of Prima Park
A key point of pride for Prima Park last year was their perfect clearance rate - a goal they hope to repeat.
“We are very proud of the fact that last year we sold 100% of our draft, and it is something we want to do again this year.
“It’s not always possible, but you need to meet the market, and that’s what I am big on and tell all of my clients.
“Not every horse can sell for big money and I’m proud of all our graduates when they have success. Just last week we had a graduate from last year's sale called Spread The Love, a nice Contributer gelding that was purchased at last year's sale by Champion Thoroughbreds, and it won on debut.
“So that was really cool to see, and I saw some photos of all the happy owners, so the sale can cater for everyone really.”
Behind the breeze-up: A unique preparation
Preparing a horse for the Ready to Run Sale differs significantly from a standard yearling preparation. The focus is not only on conditioning, but also ensuring each horse breezes up impressively and presents well on sale day.
Van Dyk outlined the process at Prima Park, “We complete the whole process up to breeze-up day in three stages. We get all of the yearlings broken in as soon as we can after the sales, so that can vary from February to April.
“They then go out for a little break, before they come in for a mini prep in winter, before another break, and then from roughly August 1st, they all come back in and build through their gears until breeze-up time. So it is a bit of a process to get them to perform at their best when it counts.”
