The NZB Ready to Run Sale’s class of 2023 has wasted little time in delivering returns to buyers with several having already won races, including highly impressive starts to the careers of three of the highest-priced lots.
The buyers of $825,000 sale-topper Megastar Heart (Star Turn), $725,000 purchase Mayne (Written Tycoon) and $700,000 filly Rapid Cheval (NZ) (Super Seth) have all made quick returns on their investments with early wins that hold the promise of much more to come.
Megastar Heart was bought by Pato Leung and Solari Bloodstock from the draft of KB Bloodstock. The Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained colt has had two wins, a placing and A$139,850 in stakes from only four starts to date.
Runner-up on debut at Kembla Grange in late April, Megastar Heart cleared maiden ranks in his second start with a smart performance on Randwick’s Kensington track on May 15.
That earned Megastar Heart a shot at the A$1m Group Two Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in Brisbane, where he finished a creditable and unlucky eighth. In his only other start, Megastar Heart was a super-impressive winner of the Listed Oxlade Stakes (1300m) at Eagle Farm on June 15.
“I think he’s a really nice colt and he’ll be better again next year. He’s just very natural. I’d say he is well up there with one of the nicest two-year-olds I’ve had.”
Mayne was offered by Kilgravin Lodge at Karaka last November, where he was bought by Blandford Bloodstock and Andrew Williams Bloodstock.
Also trained by Neasham and Archibald, Mayne finished third on debut at Warwick Farm in late August, then took a big step forward with a two-length maiden victory in his only other start on the Kensington track on September 11.
Kilgravin Lodge’s 2023 Ready to Run Sale draft also featured Rapid Cheval, who was purchased by Laming Racing and John White Bloodstock. The Bevan Laming-trained filly finished fourth on debut on the Sunshine Coast on September 4, then won with a touch of authority at Eagle Farm on September 20 in her only other start. She lines up in the Group Two Thousand Guineas Prelude this weekend.
Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth), who was bought by McKeever Bloodstock and Sutton Racing for $160,000 from Kilgravin Lodge’s draft, has won twice in his six-start career, scoring victories at Pakenham and Caulfield, and he was a close fourth in the Group Three Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) and recently runner up in the prolific Group One Caulfield Guineas, with a total earnings so far of A$667,625.
Stable mate Khadime (NZ) (Star Turn) was also a winner on debut for the young trainer earlier in the year. Purchased for $200,000 from the same draft, the filly has since won $74,500 in stakes earning from just a handful of starts.
Other early winners among 2023 Ready to Run Sale graduates include:
- Promising Hong Kong prospect Patch Of Cosmo (NZ) (Super Seth), who was a $260,000 purchase from the Riversley Park draft. He has five starts so far in Hong Kong and opened his winning account in good style at Sha Tin on September 22. He has already earned HK$1,457,650 (NZ$309,313.33).
- Truth or Dare (NZ), a striking son of Vanbrugh was impressive at Cranbourne on debut recently for Te Akau Racing. The chestnut gelding was knocked down to his trainers for $120,000 from Riversley Park’s 2023 draft. With one win from three starts and $30,245 already in the bank and the VCR Derby in sight.
- Domain Ace (NZ) (Swiss Ace), who was offered by Rogerson Bloodstock and was passed in with a reserve of only $50,000. His seven-start career has produced two wins including the Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie in April, and he has earned $83,035,00.
- Giddy Up Warrior (NZ) (Saxon Warrior) broke his maiden on his second start at Sandown for Lindsay Park Racing. Purchased by Lindsay Park Racing, Gareth Hall and Guy Mulcaster for $140,000 from Riversley Park’s draft, with already $59,025 in stakes earnings from five light starts.
- Duma (NZ) - A bright new talent in Malaysian racing stepped on to the stage at Selangor Turf Club. The son of Too Darn Hot made a stylish winning debut in the RM50,000 NZB Ready to Run Sale Trophy (1200m). Duma was and was offered by Prima Park, where Esther Quan Hui Lim bought him for $45,000. On the same day, Bold Runner (NZ), another 2023 graduate took out the NZB Airfreight Trophy (1200m). The son of the late Contributer and first foal from the Makfi mare McPhoebe was a $60,000 purchase by Tan Tiang Huat from Riverrock Farm's draft.
- Trelawney Stud prepared Anushka Shesastar (NZ) (Proisir), was secured by the N & P Balia Family Trust for $130,000, and since won on debut for trainer John Bary.
- Perfumist (NZ) was quick off the back of selling, winning on debut in April for trainer Bjorn Baker. The filly by El Roca was knocked down to Bjorn Baker, OTI Racing, Phill Cataldo and Clarke Bloodstock for $190,000 from Westbury Stud’s draft.
- In more recent times, Kasukedo (Lonhro) joins the impressive list of winning graduates since going under the hammer at the 2023 edition of the Sale. Purchased by Hong Kong's C Tsoi for $100,000 from Kiltannon Stable's draft and trained to win on debut for local Cambridge preparer and trainer Mark Forbes.
- Stage N Screen (NZ) (Ace High) showed class ability when she romped home on debut at for Te Akau Racing. Hailing from the lines of NZB Filly of The Year Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel), and half-brother to Group One Australian Guineas placed Japanese Emperor (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) this filly has a bright future ahead. Knocked down to Te Akau Racing for $200,000 from Kiltannon Stables draft.
Buyers will be able to secure the next racetrack star from the 404-lot quality catalogue on offer at the 2024 edition of the Ready to Run Sale. Taking 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.
