Astute Agents out in Force on Day 1 of Karaka Breeze Ups

Media Release - Monday October 12

Day One of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw 129 two-year-olds gallop down the home straight of Te Rapa Racecourse.

Bloodstock Sales Manager Danny Rolston was quick to acknowledge the high standard of quality and presentation that buyers have become accustomed to at the Karaka Ready to Run Sale.

“The results of the sale speak for themselves and after seeing today’s group of horses parade and breeze up, it’s clear that is set to continue long into the future."

"In addition to our experienced Bloodstock team, there were a large number of astute buyers and agents on the ground today assessing the horses go through their paces,” he said.

With COVID-19 preventing international buyers from attending, the workload for several New Zealand-based agents has increased, many of whom were on course today to begin inspections.  

“I’m really impressed with the quality of the horses presented so far and the track is beautiful here today,” said prominent agent Phill Cataldo, who has sourced multiple Group One winners from NZB's Ready to Run Sale.

“The times have all been very consistent,” he added.

Bloodstock agent Bruce Perry was also pleased with the performance of the two-year-olds on Day One.

“It’s a great opportunity to have a look at them all and get an idea of their conformation and physique,” he commented.

Advertisement

“There are some really nice horses, there will be some great buying and it's a good opportunity for people to get involved.”

Charm Spirit had the 2YO who produced the quickest breeze up.

Day One Highlights

  • This morning’s track conditions were recorded as a Good 3, which remained consistent throughout the day.
  • The fastest Breeze Up of the day was Lot 135, who ran in Heat 18 from Woburn Farm’s draft. The gelding by Charm Spirit out of Exceed and Excel mare Amour Cache breezed up in a slick 10.16.
  • 2018 and 2019 leading vendor Riversley Park  produced a number of impressive Breeze Up performances including Lot 113 (Highly Recommended x Wilma Rudolf colt) who breezed up solo in a time of 10.30, and Lot 48, a Per Incanto colt by Exceed and Excel mare Royal Access who clocked 10.31.
  • Heat 48 saw Lot 2 and Lot 130 both breeze up in a smart 10.49. Lot 2, a Not a Single Doubt colt out of stakes-performed O’Reilly mare O’Naturelle, is offered on account of Jamieson Park. While Lot 130, the Contributer colt out of stakes-performed More Than Ready mare Ali Spur, is from the draft of Lilywhites Lodge.

The full Breeze Ups clips and parade footage will be made available for viewing on www.nzb.co.nz by Friday 16 October, as well as streamed on Trackside in New Zealand, plus Sky Racing and Racing.com in Australia.

This year’s Breeze Up clips have been extended to include additional footage near the 600 metre mark to capture horses before they fully extend into their gallop, with horses also having the last 200 metres of their work individually timed.

While the Breeze Up clips themselves will be slightly longer, NZB is also filming the mounting yard at Te Rapa, with all two-year-olds being paraded prior to their Breeze Up.

Day Two of the Breeze Ups for the number one sale of its kind will continue tomorrow at Te Rapa Racecourse from 10am (NZT). View tomorrow’s Breeze Up schedule here.

View today’s Breeze Up times here.

View the highlights and Day One review here.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Wootton Bassett G1 Course Record Breaker - Pedigree Watch – Euro 3YO
The French classics for three year-olds over a mile were run overnight at Longchamp with Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB) having first and third in the colts renewal, while there was a protest in the fillies race that produced victory for an Agha Khan homebred filly by Siyouni.
Black Type Debacle Rears Head Again
Should Know Thyself be a new stakes-winner for The Autumn Sun? Paul Messara thought he was after winning the ‘as advertised’ Listed $500,000 The Coast at Gosford on Saturday, but as it turns out he’s not.
Sires With Winners - Saturday May 10
Here is the full list of 102 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Record Breaking Breeze Up Sale at Arqana
Taking place the day before the French Guineas and following on from RULING COURT’s success in the 2,000 Guineas, the ARQANA Breeze Up Sale was held today in Deauville following the canters on Thursday at Deauville La Touques Racecourse and a day of inspections on Friday.
First Stakes Win For Exciting Tarzino Mare
Matamata trainer Andrew Scott brought up his 1000th win in New Zealand when exciting talent Tomodachi took out the Gr.3 Rotorua ITM Stakes (1400m) at Arawa Park on Saturday.
Another Star Rises for Champion WA sire Playing God
Simon Miller has maintained from day one that his Playing God three year old West Star is a horse with “x-factor” and the gelding proved it yesterday with an absolutely dominant win in the G3 Northam Stakes.
Astute Bloodstock Mares Gross $8.8 Million at Inglis Chairman’s
Astute Bloodstock has recorded a stellar result at the 2025 Inglis Chairman’s Sale, with its draft and previously purchased mares grossing a combined $8.8 million, representing 16% of the total sale turnover.
First Settler Added to Yulong Roster
A lightly raced Group II winning son of Capitalist, First Settler has been added to the roster for Yulong this spring at a fee of $11,000.
Sires With Winners - Friday May 9
Here is the full list of 50 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Zoustar Mare Wins French G3 for Interesting Owners
Champion Australian sire Zoustar posted an interesting winner overnight at Longchamp where five year-old mare Mgheera landed the Group III Prix de Saint-Georges (1000m) for Lord Lloyd Webber and Arthur Mitchell of Yarraman Park.