Turf and Data Advantage Continues to Prove NZB’s Ready to Run Success

Media Release - Wednesday September 20

New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2023 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups are just under a month out, set to take place on 16 and 17 October.  

The Ready to Run Sale at Karaka is the world’s leading sale of two-year-olds in training. In the last five seasons alone, its graduates have claimed 23 Group One wins and a total of 102 victories at stakes level headlined by superstars Golden Sixty (Medaglia d’Oro), Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse), Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), Sharp ‘N’ Smart (Redwood) and Dunkel (NZ) (Dundeel) to name a few.

Breeze Ups are set to be held 16 & 17 October.

All two-year-olds entered will breeze on the same turf track at Te Rapa Racecourse over two consecutive days, making NZB’s Ready to Run Sale the only sale of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere that conducts its Breeze Ups solely on a turf surface, a favoured preference amongst buyers.

Prominent agent Phill Cataldo has a prolific track record purchasing Group One winners from NZB Sales having purchased the likes of Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), Vin De Dance (NZ) (Roc De Cambes), Military Move (NZ) (Volksraad) and more that have emerged from this Sale.

“I definitely believe there is a massive advantage to watching the two-year-olds breeze up on a turf surface,” commented Cataldo.

“At the end of the day, you want them to perform well on the grass during a race day and those bigger group race days, so seeing them on the turf gives a great insight as to what they would be like at a meeting.”

The astute buyer is also in favour of Waikato Racing Club’s facilities and is often seen judging the horses from the stables, mounting yard, or parade ring, all within close proximity.

“I can easily watch the clips on NZB’s website but when I’m at the Breeze Ups I like to see the horses up close in person.”

“I like to see their temperament and their conformation, as well as how they move when they walk. Te Rapa is an excellent space to allow me to do this,” he added.

The conditions and consistent measurements of NZB’s Breeze Ups give prospective buyers a major advantage when it comes to statistical and video analysis.

Advertisement

To assist buyers, NZB implements a range of measurements during the Breeze Ups including multiple verified timings for each lot, penetrometer readings of the track each day and an outline of the weather conditions including a wind anemometer reading. This data will be displayed on the NZB website against each juvenile’s Breeze Up for easy analysis and comparison.

Cataldo also places a large emphasis on the Breeze Up clips themselves.

“You get to see their action in-depth, including a full gallop or near full gallop. The inclusion of footage near the 600-metre mark captures horses before they fully extend into their gallop.”

“The more footage the better I say,” stated Cataldo.

NZB also films the mounting yard at Te Rapa, providing footage of all two-year-olds being paraded with the jockey aboard prior to their Breeze Up giving buyers transparency on each Lot’s composure and attitude.

The Breeze Up clips and mounting yard footage will be made available for viewing on NZB’s website by Friday 20 October, as well as being streamed on Trackside in New Zealand, plus Sky Racing and Racing.com in Australia. 

The 2023 edition of NZB’s Ready to Run Sale will take place on 22 and 23 November at the Karaka Sales Centre. The Breeze Ups set to take place at Te Rapa Racecourse on 16 and 17 October from 10 am each day are open to the public, with prospective buyers welcome to attend.

Online bidding is available for all prospective purchasers via bidonline.nzb.co.nz, and an extensive catalogue via www.nzb.co.nz that hosts pedigrees, parade videos and photos, breeze-up clips, data analysis, updates, and important information.

View the full catalogue online here.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Pride’s Outsider Estadio Mestalla Wins Winter Stakes
The lone stakes race on Rosehill’s ten-race card on Saturday saw Joe Pride’s race outsider Estadio Mestalla (Galileo Gold) take out the $200,000 Listed ATC Winter Stakes (1400m) in a boilover.
Divine Prophet’s Fortunate Kiss Captures Elusive Black Type Win
With nine top five finishes in previous black type races, it was better late than never as 6yo Divine Prophet mare Fortunate Kiss charged along the inside to win the $300,000 Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday – her first black type victory.
Quality Cambridge Stud draft in National Online Breeding Stock Sale
The need for Cambridge Stud to control the size of their star-studded broodmare band has opened up some special opportunities in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus.
National Online Breeding Stock Sale Online Now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.
Marble Nine Brings Up Second SW For Aquis Sire Kobayashi
The withdrawal of the top weight in Saturday’s $175,000 Listed VRC Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series Final (1200m) at Flemington saw the field down to just six, with Marble Nine continuing his outstanding recent form to secure his first black type victory.
High-flying Pencarrow Stud offers well-bred mares in Online Breeding Stock Sale
The 2024-25 season has been one of the best ever for Pencarrow Stud, and some of the renowned bloodlines that have underpinned that success are now available for purchase in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus.
Kiwi Bred Good Banter Finds Winning Form
Four-year-old mare Good Banter was back in the winner’s circle when narrowly prevailing in the Catanach's Jewellers Handicap (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday for trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton.
Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz Wins A.R. Creswick Stakes
While many felt the winner of Saturday’s Listed $175,000 VRC A.R. Creswick Stakes (1200m) had raced two weeks prior in the Shop Flemington Handicap (1100m) – and they would’ve been correct – but it was not the result many punters felt it would be!
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 5
Here is the full list of 112 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Flemington Victory for Tarzino Mare
Quirky but talented mare Miss Tarzy has come from last win the Leilani Series Final (1400m) under a patient Jett Stanley ride.