Dunstan join the 2024 Ready to Run Sale Trainers Series

Pisco Sour took out a Ready to Run Sale Trainers Series race in Riccarton in 2023. Photo: supplied

Thanks to the long-term support of Majestic Horse Transport as well as new partner Dunstan Horsefeeds, NZB is pleased to announce that the popular Ready to Run Sale Trainers Series will return for its fifth edition in 2024.

The well-received series was introduced by NZB in 2020 to help support New Zealand trainers wishing to attend and purchase from its Ready to Run Sale in November. 

Trainers Adrian Bull, Anne Davies, Andrew Carston, Guy Lowry, Rosie Buchanan, Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, Stephen Marsh, Ross Beckett, and Lance Noble were all winning trainers throughout the 2023 edition of the series.  

Southern trainer Andrew Carston was pleased to secure the sponsored Trainers Series race when Pisco Sour (I am Invincible) took out the third race of the series at Riccarton in September.  

“It’s a valuable sale for trainers and this incentive is appreciated,” commented Carston.  

Responsible for the initial development of the Series, NZB’s Jim Bruford was pleased to see the uptake implemented again. 

“Our domestic buying bench has really stepped up over the last few years at the Ready to Run Sale,” he commented. 

“While we are always excited to welcome international buyers to Karaka, we would also like to continue our strong support towards Kiwi-based trainers who wish to attend the Sale. 

“This season we had several different trainers win the prize package, four of whom utilised the sponsorship and purchased at the sale. 

“With the additional injections by Entain and NZTR, there is certainly every reason for New Zealand trainers to add ready to go two-year-olds to their racing teams,” Bruford added. 

The 2024 edition of the NZB Ready to Run Sale Trainers Series will comprise eight races – three in the Northern region, three in the Central region and two in the Southern region – in the lead-up to the world’s leading two-year-old sale.

Backed for the fifth year in a row by long-term sponsors Majestic Horse Transport, NZB will award the winning trainer of each sponsored race the following prize package should they attend and purchase at the 2024 Ready to Run Sale:

  • -A $500 travel voucher towards travel to the 2024 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka.
  • -A $1,000 insurance voucher towards insurance for one purchase at the 2024 Ready to Run Sale, courtesy of NZB Insurance.
  • -A Majestic Horse Transport voucher (valued at $250 for Northern, $400 for Central and $750 for Southern race winners) towards the transport of one 2024 Ready to Run Sale purchase, courtesy of Majestic Horse Transport.
  • -Thanks to the additional involvement of leading industry supporter Dunstan Horsefeeds, the winner of each of this season’s eight races will also receive a $500 feed voucher.

The series will kick off at Hastings on 7 September and takes in races at Riccarton (14 September), Hastings (28 September), Hawera (5 October), Ellerslie (19 October), Te Rapa (28 October) and Ellerslie (5 November) before concluding on the opening day of the New Zealand Cup Carnival at Riccarton on 9 November.

The 2024 edition of the Ready to Run Sale will take 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.

NZB Ready to Run Trainers Series Race Schedule

DateRacedayClub/TrackClass & Distance
Saturday 7 SeptemberPremier – Tarzino Trophy DayHastings @ Hawke’s BayMaiden 1200m
Saturday 14 SeptemberNZB Canterbury Belle Stakes RacedayCanterbury @ RiccartonR65 1200m
Saturday 28 SeptemberPremier – Arrowfield Stud Plate DayHastings & Hawke’s BayR75 1200m
Saturday 5 OctoberTaranaki Breeders Stakes DayHawera3YO 1200m
Saturday 19 OctoberFeature MeetingATR @ Ellerslie3YO 1200m
Monday 28 OctoberLabour Day – ft. James & Annie Sarten MemorialWTR @ Te RapaR65 1300m
Tuesday 5 NovemberPremier – Melbourne Cup DayATR @ EllerslieR65 1600m
Saturday 9 NovemberPremier – NZ 2000 Guineas DayCanterbury @ RiccartonR75 1400m