A quality packed catalogue for the NZB Ready to Run Sale is now online and in the lead up to the sale we’ll go looking each week for some horses of interest that jump out on pedigree for various reasons
An $80,000 Karaka Book 1 purchase, Almanzor (Fr) gelding Keeneland staked a claim for the Group I VRC Victoria Derby at Flemington on Saturday winning the Listed VRCV Super Impose Stakes (1800m) for the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable that has a tradition for producing quality three year-old stayers at this time of year.
He is the 20th stakes-winner worldwide for Almanzor and is his second from a daughter of Savabeel, a nick that is enjoying growing success.
There have been nine winners from 13 runners bred this way with Keeneland joining Group II winner Zabmanzor as a stakes-winner and there also two more G1 placed performers in Andalus and Blue Solitaire.
There is one entry for the sale bred this way.
Lot 160 is a colt from Savette offered by Riverrock Farm. He is the second foal of a metro winner from the family of Group III winner The Fatz that traces back to influential producer Celia Leight, whose descendants include Group I winners Glamour Puss, Vision and Power and Steps in Time.
Another progressive new stakes-winner last weekend with G1 aspirations is Exceedance colt Swiftfalcon, who won the Listed ATC Dulcify Stakes (1600m) with connections hopeful to progress to the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes.
Swiftfalcon is the third stakes-winner for Exceedance, whose oldest progeny are just three year-olds, and is also his second winner and first SW from just two starters out of mares by Northern Meteor, who has forged and important sireline through his sons Zoustar and the now pensioned Deep Field.
There is one entry for the sale bred this way.
Lot 199 is a gelding from Star of Darwin offered by Riversley Park. He is a half-brother to a winner from the family of Australian Group winners Kittens, Saint Encosta and Sheer Talent tracing back to blue hen St Klaire, the dam of G1 winners Bonanova, Telesto and Fraternity.
The 2024 edition of the Ready to Run Sale will take place at the Karaka Sales Centre from 11am (NZT) on 20 & 21 November with Breeze Ups to be held at Te Rapa Racecourse on 21 & 22 October. Click to see the full catalogue.