Quality Fillies Play an Increasing Role in Ready to Run Sale

The New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale has traditionally been dominated by colts and geldings, but a growing number of quality fillies are proving to be well sought-after at Karaka every November.

In recent times the Sale has produced stakes-winning filly graduates such as Dolphin Skin (NZ) (Telperion), Sakura Girl (NZ) (Iffraaj), Gold Bracelet (NZ) (Pins), Family Ties (NZ) (Contributer), Star of Bombay (NZ) (Atlante), Volks Lightning (NZ) (Volksraad), Luvaluva (NZ) (Mastercraftman) and She’s Poppy (NZ) (Alamosa).

The 383-lot catalogue for this month’s 2023 edition of the Ready to Run Sale features 81 fillies, which is a notable increase on the fifty-two that were catalogued 12 months ago.

This year’s selection includes one of the highest profiled in Lot 298, a chestnut filly by exciting Waikato Stud sire Super Seth out of the Makfi mare Vitesse (NZ). That makes her a half-sister to Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park), who has risen to stardom in Australia this year with victory in the Group One Queensland Derby.

The filly will be offered by Eion and Megan Kemp’s Kilgravin Lodge.

“I think this Sale has been gaining momentum for fillies,” commented Eion.

“In the past, it’s probably been a case of just not having enough quality fillies being offered, but that’s beginning to change.

“I purchased this filly as a weanling (for $85,000). The yearling sale probably came around a little bit too soon for her, but we were in a position to take the punt and hope that Kovalica would come up and win a Group One race during the year.

“It couldn’t have turned out better, and we’ve ended up being able to offer a very valuable filly as part of our draft.

“She breezed up good and she’s giving every indication that she has some ability of her own as well as being so well-related.

“She’s a filly that trainers would definitely be interested in securing, but she should also have some real appeal for breeders who might be looking for a broodmare prospect further down the track.”

Kilgravin Lodge also presents Lot 380, a notable filly by Star Turn, who breezed up in a slick time of 10.44.

Other drawcards among the fillies in the catalogue include lots from hot emerging sire Justify.

Lot 43 is a chestnut filly from the Group producing and well-related Dubawi mare Forbetterforworse, offered on account of KB Bloodstock.

Phoenix Park offers Lot 91, out of a three-quarter sister to Group One winner La Diosa (NZ) (So You Think). While Cheltenham Stables offer Lot 251 from Special Memories (Fastnet Rock), herself a full sister to Group One winner Unforgotten.

Lilywhite Lodge’s Derek and Sophia Nolan are looking forward to presenting quality fillies among their 21-strong draft at Karaka next week.

Lot 47 from their draft is a Pierro filly from Group-winning race mare Full of Spirit (Flying Spur) making her closely related to multiple stakes winners including dual Horse of the Year Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi).

An impressive single breezer, Lot 175 is by Super Seth from the Group One winning mare Perfect Fit (Elusive City), while Lot 207 is by Waikato Stud’s proven stallion Ocean Park out of Reliable Man mare Rina Bettina.

“We are really excited to present some quality and well-bred fillies in our draft,” commented Derek.

“They are very racy types in there by sires like Ocean Park, Rubick, Ribchester, Pierro and Super Seth who is off to a very promising start.”

“We look forward to presenting them all to the market,” he added.

Riverrock Farm presents the only daughter of emerging sire Ten Sovereigns in the catalogue. Lot 247 is out of the well-related mare Soltina (NZ) (O’Reilly), making this filly a half to Group winner and former graduate Sakura Girl (NZ).

Lot 59 from the same draft, is a bay filly from exciting stallion Ace High from the Pentire mare Hei Matau (NZ) and closely related to standout racehorses Chenille (NZ), Chintz (NZ), Not an Option (NZ) and Mo’unga (NZ).

Another notable Ace High filly in the catalogue is Lot 75 from the Kiltannon Stables draft. A half-sister to the Group One-placed Japanese Emperor (NZ) (Satono Aladdin).

Kiltannon Stables also offers Lot 199 on the second day of the Sale. By American Pharoah from Queens Legacy (Snitzel), herself a three-quarter sister to Group One winner and star Japanese-based broodmare King’s Rose (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice).

The 2023 edition of the Sale will take place at the Karaka Sales Centre from 11am (NZT) on 22 and 23 November. View the full list of fillies available in the online catalogue here.

Online bidding is available for all prospective purchasers via bidonline.nzb.co.nz, plus an extensive online catalogue that will host pedigrees, parade videos and photos, breeze up clips and data analysis, updates and important information to assist your buying decisions.

For enquiries or sale information, contact Bloodstock Sales Manager Kane Jones (Kane.Jones@nzb.co.nz or +64 27 274 4985).