Before They Were Stars

Sponsored Content - by Tara Madgwick - Wednesday October 30

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.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Twain wins G3 Sweynesse Stakes
It seemed as though it would be only a matter of time before Twain added a stakes victory to his name and the rising star did just that at Rotorua on Sunday, powering late to take out the Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m).
One to Watch – Scone
With the Group I MRC Thousand Guineas to be run  this Saturday at Caulfield it only seems fitting that we find a ‘One to Watch’ on Monday, whose dam and grand-dam both won the iconic race for fillies.
Antipodean (NZ) Excels in NZB Ready to Run Sale Championship
After a couple of unlucky runs in big races this season, Antipodean (NZ) (Derryn) turned his fortunes around at Selangor on Sunday with a deserved victory in the RM300,000 NZB Ready to Run Sale Championship (1400m). 
Sires With Winners - Monday October 13
Here is the full list of 23 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Ka Ying Rising Ready to Rumble
Plenty of drama has surrounded Ka Ying Rising ahead of Saturday’s A$20 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick, but trainer David Hayes assures everything is fine with the Kiwi-bred sprinting sensation.
Inglis Ready 2 Race - Half-Brother by Stay Inside to Transatlantic Selling Thursday
An Easter graduate victorious in a G1, an Inglis Digital star winning a $1.5m race and a monumental pedigree update ahead of Thursday’s Ready2Race Sale at Riverside.
Hot Lots Day 3 - Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1
The Tattersalls October Yearling Sale third and final session kicks off tonight our time and for those interested in the number one yearling sale in Europe we are taking a look at some of the yearlings tipped to top each day.
Kiwi Breeder Celebrating Autumn Boy Guineas Triumph
High class three-year-old Autumn Boy may not have a New Zealand suffix next to his name, but his Kiwi roots run deep.
Winning Debut for Expensive Satono Aladdin
Promising colt Yamato Satona made an impressive start to his racing career at Arawa Park on Sunday, kicking off a winning treble for his trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott.
I Am Invincible Colt Tops Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale
A colt by champion Yarraman Park Stud stallion I Am Invincible topped today's Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale when selling for $550,000.