New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale has delivered widespread name recognition and respect for a range of established consignors, and now a talented group of newcomers, including Kawa Park, are keen to make a splash next month in their debut appearance at the world’s leading sale of two-year-olds.
As a former member of New Zealand Bloodstock’s marketing team as well as having hands-on roles in major Australian racing stables, Sarah Worker brought a varied career in the industry with her when she returned home to establish Kawa Park.
The Clevedon operation offers a debut draft of five at this year’s Ready to Run Sale, including progeny of Belardo, Mongolian Khan, Ocean Park (NZ) and Charm Spirit.
“I’ve had a few different roles in the industry in the last few years, including working for Darren Weir and then a couple of years with Ciaron Maher after that,” Worker said.
“Then I came back home with my partner Conor (Fahy), who worked for Ciaron Maher as well, and we came over to run Kawa Park together.
“We came with the intention of being in that breaking and pre-training sector, and Conor had previously done preparation for a few two-year-old sales in Ireland.
“So the Ready to Run Sale was something we always wanted to have a look at. From my time at New Zealand Bloodstock, I really knew about the reputation the sale has, and the amazing things great horsemen have been able to do with these horses. We really wanted to be a part of it.
“We actually bought a couple of horses from the Ready to Run Sale last year, and in everything we’ve done with them so far, they’ve been an absolute pleasure to deal with. So this year we wanted in as consignors.
“It’s been a great experience so far, and we’re really looking forward to hopefully getting up to Karaka for a great sale in November.
“Our two horses by Mongolian Khan will want a little bit more time, but they’re both absolutely lovely horses. The Scattered Dreams (Redoute’s Choice) filly (Lot 286) is a half-sister to a nice horse that Ciaron Maher had called She’s A Karaka (NZ) (Makfi), so we know the family well.
“Our Belardo gelding (Lot 106) is a really nice horse, and he’s probably the one that’s most likely to really get up and go. We think quite a bit of him.”