Superstar stallions have lit up racetracks on both sides of the Tasman this season, and now their two-year-olds are set to impress at the 2020 Ready to Run Sale, held on 18 and 19 November at the iconic Karaka Sales centre.
From proven champion stallions to rising star rookies and everything in between, New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale at Karaka features an outstanding selection of 98 sires from around New Zealand, Australia and further afield.
PROVEN SIRES
Savabeel
Waikato Stud supremo Savabeel claimed his sixth consecutive New Zealand sires’ premiership last season, siring 49 winners, eight stakes winners and amassing $3.1 million in stakes – more than $1.1 million ahead of his nearest rival.
Savabeel is the sire of 102 stakes winners overall, 20 of them at Group One level, and his star daughter Probabeel (NZ) scored a sparkling victory in the time-honoured Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick at the beginning of this month.
Savabeel is always in massive demand at Karaka. In Book 1 of Karaka 2020, he topped the sires’ standings with 58 yearlings selling for a total of $14.34 million, averaging $247,241.
There are 11 sons or daughters of Savabeel in the 2020 Ready to Run Sale catalogue. Notable lots include:
- Lot 72’s dam Snowdrop (NZ) (Pins) placed in the Listed Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and Counties Bowl (1100m) and is a daughter of triple Group One winner Daffodil (NZ) (No Excuse Needed).
- Lot 83 is out of a three-quarter-sister to multiple Group One winner Racing to Win (Encosta de Lago). This filly’s dam is also a three-quarter-sister to the dam of star sprinters Classique Legend (Not a Single Doubt) and Aethero (Sebring).
- Lot 134 is out of the stakes-placed Amazing Lady (NZ) (O’Reilly).
- Lot 239 is a son of Listed winner Include (NZ) (Gallant Guru).
- Lot 252 is out of a half-sister to Group Two winner Lady Kipling (NZ) (Savabeel), dam of Fascino (NZ) (Charm Spirit), who has won at Group Two level in Melbourne.
- Lot 262’s dam is a half-sister to star racehorse and exciting sire Ocean Park (NZ) (Thorn Park) and the dam of multiple Group One winner Grunt (NZ) (O’Reilly).
- Lot 298 is out of a half-sister to multiple Group One winners Puccini (NZ) (Encosta de Lago) and Sir Slick (NZ) (Volksraad).
Ocean Park
Ocean Park (NZ) soared into the top dozen on Australia’s star-studded sires’ premiership with more than A$10 million in prize-money last season. His 45 Australian winners included five at stakes level, headed by Group One stars Kolding (NZ) and Tofane (NZ).
Oceanex (NZ) also won three stakes races up to Group Two level, while Star of the Seas (NZ) placed in the Group One Epsom Handicap (1600m) and Doncaster Mile (1600m).
Ocean Park’s golden run has continued in recent weeks, siring a superb Group One quinella as Kolding and Star of the Seas fought out the finish of the George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.
As Ocean Park’s star continues to rise, buyers have the chance to buy nine of his progeny in the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, including:
- Lot 17 comes from the family of champion galloper and quality sire So You Think (NZ) (High Chaparral).
- The dam of Lot 98 is a half-sister to Group One winner Miss Keepsake (NZ) (Keeper) and Group Two winner Villifye (NZ) (O’Reilly).
- Lot 175 is from the family of superstar galloper and successful sire Starcraft (NZ) (Soviet Star).
- Lot 221 is a half-brother to stakes winner Sewreel (NZ) (Savabeel).
- Lot 266 descends from Foxwood (NZ) (Centaine), who won two stakes races and is the dam of stakes performers Rockwood (NZ) (Rock of Gibraltar), Miss Foxwood (Fastnet Rock) and Quartz Reef (Redoute’s Choice). Foxwood is also granddam of Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) and Singapore Guineas (1600m) winner Mr Clint (NZ) (Power).
Darci Brahma
Elite racehorse and high-class The Oaks Stud stallion Darci Brahma (NZ) is a prolific source of winners. He has finished second or third on the Kiwi premiership in seven of the last eight years, siring 265 winners from 393 runners on home soil. He has also had 126 winners from 176 runners in Australia, 31 from 51 in Hong Kong and 66 from 93 in Singapore.
The 2019-20 season was one of Darci Brahma’s finest, with 91 winners including 10 at black-type level. The headline act was elite three-year-old Catalyst (NZ), who dominated his age group with four stakes wins including the Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m).
Harlech (NZ) finished second in the 2000 Guineas, providing a Darci Brahma quinella, and he also won the Group Two Sarten Memorial (1400m) and placed in the Group One Levin Classic (1600m). Full of Beauty won at Group Three level in Hong Kong, while Paint The Town Two (NZ) did the same in Australia.
Four progeny of Darci Brahma feature in the Ready to Run Sale catalogue:
- Lot 40 is out of Ride of Valkyries (Orpen), a Group One winner in Argentina.
- Lot 219 is out of a half-sister to the Group Three winner Lilikoi (NZ) (Charm Spirit).
- The dam of Lot 264 is a half-sister to three stakes winners including Julinsky Princess (NZ) (Stravinsky), whose Darci Brahma son Julinsky Prince (NZ) was a dual Group One winner.
- Lot 291 is a half-brother to dual Group Two winner Platinum Princess (NZ) (Keeper).
Per Incanto
Little Avondale Stud’s Per Incanto has become another familiar name at the top of New Zealand’s premierships, finishing in the top five in all of the last four seasons. He has sired 206 winners from 334 runners, with 16 individual stakes winners headed by Shadows Cast (NZ), Santa Monica (NZ) and Dal Cielo (NZ) at Group One level.
His three-year-old daughter Miss Aotearoa (NZ) has begun the new season in highly impressive form, winning both starts including against a quality field of fillies in the Group Three Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings in September.
Ten sons or daughters of Per Incanto will be offered at the Ready to Run Sale, including:
- Lot 48 is out of a winning Exceed and Excel mare. This colt is a half-brother to Excessabeel (NZ) (Savabeel), who has been stakes-placed in Australia.
- Lot 119 is out of a three-quarter-sister to the stakes winner Craftsmanship (NZ) (Savabeel). The second dam of this filly is Aspinal (NZ) (Pins), a Listed winner who placed in three other black-type races and finished fourth at Group One level.
- Lot 122 is out of a half-sister to Yourdeel (NZ) (Dundeel), who won the Group One Sistema Stakes (1200m) and Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) and was New Zealand’s Champion 2YO in 2018-19.
- Lot 279 is a three-quarter-brother to Group One winner Dal Cielo (NZ), being out of his unraced half-sister Luscious Legs (NZ) (Pins).
Iffraaj
Now retired from southern hemisphere shuttling duties, Iffraaj stood at Haunui Farm for 11 seasons. During that time he sired 305 winners from 513 runners in this part of the world, including 26 individual stakes winners. Star performers include the Group One heroes Turn Me Loose (NZ), Gingernuts (NZ), Jon Snow (NZ) and Wyndspelle (NZ).
The Ready to Run Sale catalogue features five progeny of Iffraaj, including:
- Lot 152 is out of a winning daughter of the champion mare Bright Sky (Wolfhound), whose six wins included the Group One Prix de Diane (2100m) and Prix de l’Opera (2000m).
- The dam of Lot 168 is a half-sister to Group One New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner Hasahalo (NZ) (Savabeel) and the recent Group Three Tibbie Stakes (1400m) winner All Saints’ Eve (Sacred Falls).
- Lot 206 is out of a full-sister to multiple Hong Kong stakes winner Packing OK (Redoute’s Choice).
- Lot 233 is a grandson of Group One winner Calveen (NZ) (Canny Lad)
Pierro
A superstar racehorse, Pierro has made a smooth transition into a quality stallion career at Coolmore Stud. The son of Lonhro was Australia’s leading first season sire in 2016-17 and has gone on to sire 222 winners from 364 runners to date.
His 24 individual stakes winners include Group One winners Shadow Hero, Pierata, Regal Power, Arcadia Queen, Levendi and Pinot, while Dragon Leap made a big impression with multiple Group Two victories in New Zealand last season.
Buyers will have access to three of Pierro’s progeny at the Ready to Run Sale, including:
- Lot 13 is a half-brother to the Group One New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner Rollout the Carpet (Holy Roman Emperor).
- The dam of Lot 174 is a half-sister to four stakes winners including the Group One Golden Slipper (1200m) heroine Crystal Lily (Stratum).
Zoustar
Widden Stud’s Zoustar was a multiple Group One winner on the racetrack and has made an impressive start to his stud career. He has been represented by 157 winners from 259 runners, with 14 stakes winners headed by the triple Group One winner Sunlight.
Remarkably, he sired the trifecta in the 2018 Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington with his first-crop three-year-olds Sunlight, Zousain and Lean Mean Machine.
There are three Zoustar two-year-olds in the Ready to Run Sale catalogue including Lot 245, who is out of a half-sister to the Group One performer and successful sire Fast ‘n’ Famous (Redoute’s Choice).
Siyouni
An unusual name in an Australasian sale catalogue, Siyouni stands for a service fee of €100,000 at Haras de Bonneval.
A three-time leading sire of two-year-olds in France, Siyouni has sired a total of 340 winners from 569 runners. His 38 individual stakes winners include Sottsass, who won the world-renowned Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) at the beginning of this month, along with fellow Group One winners Laurens, Ervedya and Dream and Do. He has also made an impact in Australia with Group Two winner Aylmerton.
Siyouni is the sire of Lot 230 in the Ready to Run Sale catalogue. This colt is out of a three-quarter-sister to multiple stakes winner Haripour (Shamardal), from an exceptional Aga Khan family that features the top-class Epsom Derby (2400m) and Irish Derby (2400m) winner Harzand (Sea the Stars).
EMERGING STALLIONS
Sweynesse
Novara Park’s Sweynesse topped New Zealand’s first-season sire standings in 2019-20, and he has started his second season on a similar note.
Himself a Group Three winner and placed at Group One level, Sweynesse has sired four winners to date including Bonita Aurelia (NZ) in the Group Three Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m) and Only Words (NZ) in the Listed Wanganui Guineas (1200m).
There are eight Sweynesse two-year-olds in the Ready to Run Sale catalogue, including:
- Lot 24 is out of Post Thyme (NZ) (Postponed), who was a Listed winner at Ellerslie and Caulfield.
- The dam of Lot 50 is a half-sister to Singapore Champion 2YO Be Bee (NZ) (Showcasing).
- Lot 93 is out of a half-sister to the multiple Singapore stakes winner Fat Kid (NZ) (Handsome Ransom).
- Lot 191 is a half-brother to the 2018-19 Joint New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Imelda Mary (NZ) (Ferlax), who won the Group Two Royal Stakes (2000m) and Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic (2000m).
- Lot 284 is out of stakes-winning mare Madonna Mia (NZ) (Red Clubs).
Vespa
Valachi Downs stallion Vespa (NZ) was Champion New Zealand 2YO in 2013-14, winning the Group One Diamond Stakes (1200m) and the $1m Karaka Million 2YO (1200m). He won another two black-type events as an older horse and placed in the Group One Waikato Sprint (1400m) and Easter Handicap (1600m).
Vespa has so far sired three winners, and two of his progeny have performed at black-type level. Kelly Renee (NZ) placed in last season’s Group One Sistema Stakes (1200m) and Group Two Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). Piaggio (NZ) was a winner at two and placed in the Group Three Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m).
Vespa has two progeny in the Ready to Run Sale catalogue:
- Lot 35 is out of a daughter of Group Two winner and Group One-placed Divine Rebel (NZ) (Don Eduardo).
- Lot 71 is out of Smitten Kitten (NZ) (Volksraad), who won eight races including the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Stakes (1400m) and placed in another seven stakes races. She is the dam of three winners including Pippi Rea (NZ) (Pins), a placegetter in the Group Three Stewards’ Stakes (1200m) and Listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m).
Charm Spirit
Windsor Park Stud shuttle stallion Charm Spirit was New Zealand’s champion first-season sire in 2018-19. He has sired 150 winners from 286 runners worldwide, with eight individual stakes winners headed by Aretha (NZ) and Fascino (NZ) at Group Two level. Scorpz (NZ) won at Group Three and Listed level last season and placed in the Group One New Zealand Derby (2400m).
Charm Spirit is the sire of four two-year-olds in the Ready to Run Sale catalogue, including:
- Lot 108 is a half-brother to six winners including Cismontane (NZ) (High Chaparral), who won the Group Three Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington.
- Lot 173 comes from Cambridge Stud’s exceptional Eight Carat (Pieces of Eight) family. Second dam Chimeara (Danehill) placed at stakes level and produced Group One winner De Beers (NZ) (Quest for Fame), while her siblings include Viking Ruler (Danehill), Lovetrista (Rock of Gibraltar), Kempinsky (Danehill) and Diamond Like (Danehill). Their dam is the blue-blooded multiple Group One winner Tristalove (NZ) (Sir Tristram).
Proisir
Rich Hill Stud’s Proisir has made a strong start to his stud career with 31 winners from 76 runners to date, headed by Riodini (NZ) at Group Three level. Riodini also collected a Group One placing in this month’s Epsom Handicap (1600m).
Vancooga (NZ) and Feel the Rush (NZ) finished second and third respectively in the Group One New Zealand Oaks (2400m) earlier this year, while Levante (NZ) has won four of her five starts and was an unlucky second in the Group Two Wellington Guineas (1400m).
Proisir has two progeny in the Ready to Run Sale catalogue:
- Lot 209 is from the family of Group One performers Armstrong (NZ) (Classic Fame), Three Chimneys (NZ) (Generous) and Dee and Gee (NZ) (Darci Brahma).
- Lot 216 is a half-brother to the stakes winner Mae Jinx (NZ) (Stravinsky).
El Roca
Standing at Westbury Stud, El Roca has sired 30 winners from 71 runners to date. Three of his progeny have performed up to stakes level, headed by the Group One Levin Classic (1600m) winner Travelling Light (NZ).
El Roca has 11 sons or daughters set to go through the ring during the Ready to Run Sale, including:
- The dam of Lot 67 is a full-sister to the three-time Group One winner Sangster (NZ) (Savabeel).
- Lot 76 is a half-brother to Group One New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner La (Bella) Diosa (NZ) (So You Think) and three other stakes performers. This colt’s dam, Star Affair (NZ) (Star Way), won at Group Two level and is a half-sister to the multiple Group One winner and black-type producer The Jewel (NZ) (O’Reilly).
- Lot 137 is a grandson of Group One winner Imananabaa (Anabaa).
- Lot 238 is out of a half-sister to Group One winner Ruud Awakening (Bernardini).
- Lot 293 is a half-sister to stakes winner Not Now Norman (King Cugat).
No Nay Never
Coolmore Stud sensation No Nay Never has soared to a service fee of €175,000 in Ireland. He has sired 149 winners from 264 runners, with 26 individual stakes winners.
Ten Sovereigns, Alcohol Free and Brooke have all won at Group One level, while the unbeaten Need I Say More has made a big early impact in New Zealand with victories in the Group Three Matamata Slipper (1200m) and Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).
Buyers will have the chance to buy two No Nay Never two-year-olds at the Ready to Run Sale:
- Lot 38 comes from the family of Queensland Oaks (2400m) winner Vouvray (NZ) (Zabeel) and fellow Group One winners A Touch of Ruby (NZ) (Pins) and Loire (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice).
- Lot 275 is a half-brother to Group Three VRC Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) placegetter Succeed Indeed (Akeed Mofeed). Their dam Lucky Morna (Ferocity) also placed at Group Three level.
FRESHMAN SIRES
An exciting crop of juveniles will be out in force, with NZB’s 2020 Ready to Run Sale providing unmatched access to new stallions embarking on exciting stud careers.
Belardo
The winner of the Group One Dewhurst Stakes (1400m) as a two-year-old and Lockinge Stakes (1600m) at the age of four, Haunui Farm shuttle stallion Belardo has made an excellent start at stud in the northern hemisphere with seven first-crop winners.
His first stakes winner Isabella Giles has claimed back-to-back stakes victories in the Group two Newmarket Rockfel Stakes (1400m) and the Group Three Prestige Stakes (1400m). He has his second individual Group winner when Elysium won the Group Three Park Stakes (1400m). Lullaby Moon and Bell I Am have also placed at stakes level.
Belardo’s yearlings sold for a total of $530,000 in Book 1 of Karaka 2020, averaging $106,000 with a top price of $210,000.
There are seven Belardo two-year-olds in the Ready to Run Sale catalogue, including:
- Lot 65 comes from the family of Group One winner Tall Poppy (NZ) (Kaapstad) and several other stakes performers, including Group One New Zealand Derby (2400m) runner-up What’s the Story (NZ) (Savabeel).
- Lot 278 is out of a sister to stakes performers Hammer Down (NZ) (O’Reilly) and Nahema (NZ) (Per Incanto).
- Lot 289 comes from the family of high-class Australian galloper Gold Symphony (Reward for Effort). The dam of this gelding is also a half-sister to Group Three winner Stripper (Danehill Dancer).
Vadamos
Rich Hill Stud’s Vadamos was a stakes performer across multiple seasons, culminating with victory in the Group One Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (1600m). He also placed in the Group One Prix Jacques le Marois (1600m) and ventured to Melbourne for fourth placings in the Cox Plate (2040m) and Emirates Stakes (2000m).
Vadamos has also made a promising start at stud in the northern hemisphere, with ten two-year-old winners.
He made a highly favourable first impression at Karaka 2020 being crowned leading first season sire. His Book 1 yearlings fetched $2.64 million, averaging $125,714 and selling for up to $330,000.
The 2020 Ready to Run Sale catalogue features seven Vadamos two-year-olds, including:
- Lot 18 is a half-brother to Group One Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m) runner-up Super Jockey (NZ) (Sandtrap) and stakes winner Single Currency (NZ) (Bachelor Duke).
- The dam of Lot 73 is a half-sister to Group Three Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) winner Crafty Irna (Starcraft), being out of Group One-winning star mare Zirna (NZ) (Deputy Governor).
- Lot 123 is out of a half-sister to Grade One Saratoga Spinaway Stakes (1400m) winner Irish Smoke (Smoke Glacken), who is also a black-type producer.
- Lot 222 is out of stakes-winning mare Hanabananah (King Charlemagne).
Tivaci
In his final start before retiring to Waikato Stud, high-class racehorse Tivaci captured Group One glory in the All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
Tivaci made his mark with his first crop of yearlings at Karaka earlier this year. He had 28 yearlings sell during Book 1 for a total of $3.49 million, averaging $124,821 with a top price of $500,000.
There are three Tivaci two-year-olds in the Ready to Run Sale:
- Lot 118 is out of a half-sister to stakes winners Grand Dancer (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) and Aspinal (NZ) (Pins).
- The dam of Lot 181 is a half-sister to the Group Two Emancipation Stakes (1600m) winner Sworn to Secrecy (NZ) (Keeper) and three other stakes performers, plus multiple black-type producer Accidentallyinlove (NZ) (Cape Cross).
- Lot 192 is out of a half-sister to Group One Avondale Gold Cup (2200m) winner The Mighty Lions (NZ) (Grosvenor) and three other black-type performers.
Preferment
Rookie Brighthill Farm stallion Preferment (NZ) was a high-class racehorse, winning the Group One Victoria Derby (2500m), Turnbull Stakes (2000m), Australian Cup (2000m) and BMW Stakes (2400m).
Preferment’s yearlings amassed $630,000 in Book 1 of Karaka 2020, averaging $90,000.
There are five sons or daughters of Preferment in the Ready to Run Sale, including:
- Lot 121 is out of a full-sister to stakes winner Zin Zan Eddie (Zizou).
- The dam of Lot 128 is a half-sister to stakes winner Gustavo (NZ) (Savabeel).
- The dam of Lot 308 is a sister to Group One winner Perlin (NZ) (Carnegie) and stakes winner Almodovar (NZ) (Pins), as well as the dam of $1m Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) winner Hardline (NZ) (Showcasing). This family also features Group One performer (My) Xpression (NZ) (Showcasing).
Tarzino
Westbury Stud’s Tarzino (NZ) was a Group One winner in both Melbourne and Sydney as a three-year-old, capturing the Victoria Derby (2500m) and Rosehill Guineas (2000m).
His yearlings earned a total of $1.37 million in Book 1 of Karaka 2020, averaging $86,094.
The 2020 Ready to Run Sale catalogue features 10 of Tarzino’s progeny, including:
- Lot 34 is out of Sydney stakes-winning mare Readyor (More than Ready), who is a granddaughter of five-time Group One winner Triscay (Marscay).
- Lot 150 is a half-brother to two black-type performers including Group Three winner Cartaya (Singspiel).
- The dam of Lot 240 is a half-sister to stakes performers Yesterday’s Songs (Henrythenavigator) and Rahveel (Zabeel). Their dam is Group One performer Sarah Vee (End Sweep).
- Lot 288 descends from the great Romanee Conti (NZ) (Sir Tristram), a big-race winner in New Zealand, Australia and Hong Kong. She is the dam of champion mare Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm) and dam or granddam of more than half a dozen stakes performers.
Turn Me Loose
Windsor Park Stud’s Turn Me Loose (NZ) was an exceptional sprinter-miler on both sides of the Tasman, winning the Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) before heading to Melbourne and adding the Group One Emirates Stakes (1600m) and Futurity Stakes (1400m).
Turn Me Loose yearlings fetched a total of just over $1.1 million in Book 1 of Karaka 2020, with an average price of $73,500.
There are eight sons or daughters of Turn Me Loose in the 2020 Ready to Run Sale catalogue, including:
- Lot 9 is out of a half-sister to Singapore stakes winner Tannhauser (NZ) (Tavistock).
- The dam of Lot 92 is a half-sister to two stakes performers including two-time Group One placegetter Prince Mambo (NZ) (Thewayyouare).
- Lot 211 is a half-brother to Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) winner Atenartin (NZ) (Showcasing).
- The dam of Lot 217 is a winning full-sister to the Group Two Wakeful Stakes (2000m) winner Rocha (Encosta de Lago), being out of Group One winner Larrocha (Danehill).
There is also an outstanding selection of two-year-olds by first-season sires Puccini (NZ), Rageese, Telperion, Vanbrugh, Wrote, Air Force Blue, Astern, Awesome Rock, Bobby’s Kitten, Capitalist, Divine Prophet, Extreme Choice, Flying Artie, Maurice, Mikki Isle, Shalaa, Star Turn and Winning Rupert.
Due to travel restrictions enforced by COVID-19, international buyers are encouraged to participate via the new user-friendly online bidding platform that will debut at the Ready to Run Sale.
NZ-based agents are also available to complete inspections on behalf of international buyers at the Breeze Ups, on farm parades and at the sale complex, with phone bidding another welcomed option by buyers to ensure they do not miss out on the opportunity to secure a two-year-old at the number one sale of its kind.
With significant importance placed on Breeze Up footage for buyers due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, this year’s Breeze Up clips have been extended to include additional footage prior to the 200 metre mark where gallops have previously been filmed from, with the last 200 metres of their work also filmed and timed. Clips will be available to view online from 16 October and streamed on Trackside in New Zealand, and Sky Racing and Racing.com in Australia.
NZB's Ready to Run Sale catalogue can be viewed online here.
