Cover image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The catalogue for the one of the world’s leading 2-year-old sales is now online, with New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2026 Ready to Run Sale set to take place at the Karaka Sales Centre on 18 and 19 November.
With 460 2-year-olds catalogued, the latest edition brings together an exceptional blend of quality and quantity, with the youngsters selected and prepared by 36 of New Zealand’s leading horsemen and women.
It is a sale that continues to underline its reputation as a proven source of racetrack talent, with graduates having won 33 Group 1 races and 115 stakes races in the last five seasons.
Last season alone, Ready to Run Sale graduates won 26 black-type races, further strengthening the sale’s position as an important destination for buyers seeking race-ready 2-year-olds.
Proven graduates continue to lead the way
The strongest advertisement for any 2-year-old sale is what its graduates go on to achieve on the racetrack, and the Ready to Run Sale continues to produce results at the highest level.
Hong Kong Derby victor Invincible Ibis (Hellbent), along with Group 1 stars Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA), Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse), Golden Sixty (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}), Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}), Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth), War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel {Ire}) and Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree {USA}) headline a remarkable list of recent graduates from the Sale.
For New Zealand Bloodstock Sales Manager Kane Jones, Invincible Ibis provides another outstanding example of what the sale can produce.
Invincible Ibis | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
“One of the key recent graduates out of the sale has been this year’s Hong Kong Derby winner in Invincible Ibis, taking out the Hong Kong Derby in race record time was just phenomenal. He joins previous star graduates in Hong Kong such as Golden Sixty and Lucky Sweynesse.”
Jones said the Hong Kong Derby winner sits comfortably alongside an impressive collection of recent Australian and international performers.
“We are incredibly proud of him and he is ably joined by the top class Australian Group 1 winner, the evergreen Mr Brightside, who was very good resuming in the Memsie over the weekend, Ceolwulf and Gringotts, just to name a few in recent seasons.
“Those type of top class results only strengthen the sale as the number one of its kind worldwide. The New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale is a must attend, it really is that simple.”
“Those type of top class results only strengthen the sale as the number one of its kind worldwide. The New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale is a must attend, it really is that simple.” - Kane Jones
That record of performance is also central to New Zealand Bloodstock Managing Director Andrew Seabrook’s confidence in the Sale.
Kane Jones | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“If buyers are looking for proven performance, this is the one sale they need to attend,” commented Seabrook.
“If buyers are looking for proven performance, this is the one sale they need to attend.” - Andrew Seabrook
“The results year in and year out show the phenomenal quality of horse that is brought to this sale and educated to an incredible standard by our preparers.
“No other sale of this type comes close. We've had 33 Group 1 wins in the last five seasons compared to just two for the Australian sales. To have a Hong Kong Derby winner and an honour roll featuring Group 1 sprinting stars to Classic winners does all the talking for us.
“We look forward to another outstanding edition of this sale and welcoming our buyers back to Karaka.”
Andrew Seabrook | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
A catalogue of stallion diversity
One of the defining features of the 2026 catalogue is its remarkable depth of stallion representation, with 119 sires represented – making it one of the most diverse catalogue assembled for the Ready to Run Sale.
The list features some of the biggest names in the Australasian stallion ranks with some top class international flavour, including Proisir, Savabeel, Per Incanto (USA), Shamexpress (NZ), Super Seth, Wrote (Ire), Satono Aladdin (Jpn), Ocean Park (NZ), Sweynesse, Sword of State, The Autumn Sun, Street Boss (USA), Hellbent, Written Tycoon, Toronado (Ire), Capitalist, So You Think (NZ), Russian Revolution, Frankel (GB), Too Darn Hot (GB) and the very exciting Home Affairs.
Alongside those established names is a host of exciting emerging and first-season sires, including Windsor Park Stud's Profondo, adding another layer of appeal to a catalogue that offers buyers considerable diversity across bloodlines and racing profiles.
Profondo | Standing at Windsor Park Stud
Jones believed the depth of the stallion representation was a major positive.
“There is a lovely mix of top class stallions and the first Profondo 2-year-old's which is exciting.”
“There is a lovely mix of top class stallions and the first Profondo 2-year-old's which is exciting.” - Kane Jones
Jones also believes the overall size of the catalogue has landed at an ideal level.
“I think 460 is a near on perfect number and the quality is very good.”
New and established vendors
The strength of the Ready to Run Sale is not only found in its pedigrees, but also in the expertise of the horsemen and women responsible for preparing its graduates.
This year’s 460 youngsters have been selected and prepared by 36 vendors, bringing together some of New Zealand’s most experienced operations with a new generation of young horsemen and women.
Jones said that combination was an important part of the sale’s appeal.
“The horse men and women in New Zealand are second to none and we've got some phenomenal vendors that do an amazing job year in and year out and they produce these ready made racehorses really.”
“The horse men and women in New Zealand are second to none and we've got some phenomenal vendors that do an amazing job year in and year out and they produce these ready made racehorses really.” - Kane Jones
The 2026 sale also sees the return of its leading vendors, alongside a collection of new names entering the marketplace.
“We have all the leading top vendors back again and we've got a small collection of new vendors and young horse men and women that were putting their hand up and having a go, and that's exciting as well, looking into the future.”
For Jones, that breadth of vendors mirrors the diversity found throughout the catalogue and ensures there is something available for a wide range of buyers.
“The sale is growing phenomenally and particularly in the last three or four years, it's just gone from strength to strength. I know we always say it, but there really is a horse for everyone and for every budget and we've seen that from graduates that have been purchased at all sorts of budget levels.”
“I know we always say it, but there really is a horse for everyone and for every budget and we've seen that from graduates that have been purchased at all sorts of budget levels.” - Kane Jones
Karaka calling in November
The 2026 Ready to Run Sale will take place from 11am (NZT) on November 18 and 19 at the Karaka Sales Centre, with Breeze Ups to be held across two consecutive days on one turf track at Te Rapa Racecourse on October 12 and 13.
There are 23 2-year-olds in the catalogue eligible for the lucrative Karaka Millions Series, while any horse purchased at the Sale can also compete in New Zealand’s only slot race, the NZ$4.5m NZB Kiwi over 1500 metres for 3-year-olds.
Karaka Sales Centre | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
For prospective purchasers unable to attend in person, online bidding will be available through bidonline.nzb.co.nz, while the extensive online catalogue at nzb.co.nz includes pedigrees, parade videos and photos, breeze-up clips, updates and important information to assist with buying decisions.
The catalogue can also be downloaded on the Equineline app for tablets or the Thoroughworks app for mobile.
Buyers wishing to attend the 2026 Ready to Run Sale can enquire about accommodation options and travel assistance by emailing travel@nzb.co.nz.
Registration to bid can be completed at the Sale Day office on arrival prior to the sale, while new NZB clients can complete the New Buyer Registration form ahead of time.
