Buyers to Favour Data and Turf Advantage at NZB Breeze Ups

New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2022 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups are set to take place next week on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 October, commencing at 10AM each day. 

All two-year-olds entered in the Sale will breeze on the same turf track at Te Rapa Racecourse over two consecutive days.

NZB’s Ready to Run Sale is the only two-year-old auction 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 and classic types from NZB Sales.

The leading judge of juveniles, who has picked out previous Group One winners Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), Vin De Dance (NZ) (Roc De Cambes), Military Move (NZ) (Volksraad), and current Derby hopefuls Cadazio (NZ) (Tarzino) and Artzino (NZ) (Tarzino), is in solid favour of the auction house’s consistent Breeze Up format.

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

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

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

“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 this,” he said. 

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

With continuing developments in technology for the buyer’s evaluation process, this year NZB will implement an anemometer, used to determine the force and direction of the wind throughout the day. This reading will be displayed on the NZB website against each juvenile’s Breeze Up.

Penetrometer readings are also taken on both days, allowing for fairer analysis of the data collated, as well as greater accuracy.

COVID-19 was the catalyst for NZB to lengthen their traditional Breeze Up clip format, which now includes additional footage near the 600 metre mark capturing horses before they fully extend into their gallop.

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 more footage the better I say.”

NZB also films the mounting yard at Te Rapa, providing footage of all two-year-olds being paraded prior to their Breeze Up.

The full Breeze Ups clips and parade footage will be made available for viewing on NZB’s website by Friday 21 October, as well as streamed on Trackside in New Zealand, plus Sky Racing and Racing.com in Australia. 

The 2022 edition of NZB’s Ready to Run Sale will take place on 16 and 17 November at the iconic Karaka Sales Centre, commencing at 11AM (NZT) each day.

International buyers wishing to physically attend the 2022 Ready to Run Sale can enquire about accommodation options by emailing Dorian.Kos@nzb.co.nz.

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 and data analysis, updates and important information.

View the full catalogue online here