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

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.

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.

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.