Spring racing in Australia is in full swing and while many people are studying video with a view to backing winners, others are spending just as much time assessing breeze up footage with a view to finding the next champions to emerge from the NZB Ready to Run Sale, so what does a champion look like?
The NZB Ready to Run Sale has stood the test of time as a source of truly elite performers, so we’re taking a look back at how the flagship stars from this sale in recent times presented as gangly babies taking their first steps towards fame and fortune.
It is worthwhile noting that the average time at the Breeze Ups for these Group One-winning Ready to Run graduates was 10.97 seconds over the 200m gallop prior to their respective sales. Interestingly, the average times recorded this year were 10.69 and 10.72 on Day One and Day Two of the Breeze Ups respectively.
Ceolwulf (NZ) - Tavistock x Las Brisas (GB) - image Steve Hart
Let’s start with Ceolwulf (NZ), the emerging star of Australian racing, who swept through the Group I ATC Epsom Handicap and on to the $5million Group I ATC King Charles Stakes when he downed a star studded field for trainer Joe Pride, who purchased the son of Tavistock for $170,000 in 2022 from the Riversley Park draft.
Ceolwulf breezed in 10.77 seconds.
Antino (NZ) - Redwood (GB) x Mahamaya - image Grant Courtney
Another newly minted Group I winner from the sale is dashing Redwood (GB) gelding Antino (NZ), who scored a dominant six and a half length win in the Group I MRC Toorak Handicap for the Tony Gollan stable. He was purchased for a modest $27,000 from the draft of Cheltenham stables.
Antino breezed in 11.16 seconds.
Warmonger (NZ) - War Decree (USA) x Princess Sapphire - image Grant Courtney
Another commanding Group I winner in Australia last season was Group I Queensland Derby hero Warmonger (NZ), who won his classic by an astonishing 10 lengths for the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr stable. He was purchased for $165,000 from the Prima Park draft.
He breezed in 11.40 seconds.
Mr Brightside (NZ) - Bullbars x Lillahjay - image Grant Courtney
One of the stalwarts of Australian WFA racing, magnificent Mr Brightside (NZ) has won a whopping $14.5million during his star studded career under the guidance of the Hayes brothers at Lindsay Park. He was presented at the 2019 Ready to Run Sale by Phoenix Park and passed in shy of a modest $50,000 reserve before later being sold privately to Australia.
He breezed in 10.91 seconds.
Golden Sixty - Medaglia D'Oro (USA) x Gaudeamus (USA)- HKJC
Retired from racing earlier this year, Golden Sixty was the world’s best miler and a three-time HK Horse of the Year and his path to greatness started at the 2017 Ready to Run Sale when he made $300,000 for Riversley Park.
He breezed in 10.48 seconds.
Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) - Sweynesse x Madonna Mia - HKJC
Another HK superstar is Lucky Sweynesse, who won the Group I Hong Kong International Sprint last year and has won 16 of 24 starts. He was a $90,000 purchase from the Woburn Farm draft in 2020.
He breezed in 11.14 seconds.
Click here to see this year’s catalogue featuring the next generation of superstars.
