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 are keen to make a splash next month in their debut appearance at the world’s leading sale of two-year-olds.
Kit Brooks joins the consignors list at the Ready to Run Sale with a rich history around horses behind him, from breaking and pre-training to a highly successful career in polo.
KB Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale debut will showcase 12 two-year-olds by a classy selection of sires – So You Think (NZ), Iffraaj, Contributer, Derryn, Tavistock (NZ), Deep Field, Pure Champion, Rageese, Tarzino (NZ), Exosphere, Complacent and Turn Me Loose (NZ).
“I was brought up around horses,” Brooks says. “My brother and I always did showjumping and things like that when we were young, and then I switched over to polo at about the age of 17 or 18. I’ve been playing polo ever since then, and it’s taken me all around the world – I had five years in England and a year in Australia. I’ve also been playing for the New Zealand national polo team for about five years. It’s been great.
“I’ve also been doing a lot of breaking in during that time, and over the last few years I’ve taken care of Breeze Ups for people without actually having a draft of my own at the Sale.
“Having a draft and taking it all the way to the Ready to Run Sale is the logical next step. I’ve got some of my own horses as well as some for a range of clients.
“We’re trying to expand our business now, and doing this is a great way to make the brand grow. I’m looking forward to it.
“I think we’ve got a good little team in our first draft, I’m pretty happy with what we’ve got in there. There’s a lot of nice horses, including a few pretty flash ones and a few cheaper ones that go really well too.
“They all breezed up really nicely. We were on the second day, so we had tough conditions with a heavy track and a strong wind. That’s not ideal for young horses, but I was impressed with them all. They handled it and did the job well.
“It was pretty busy for me – even though I’m taking 12 horses to the sales in my draft, I did another six for other clients as well, so I breezed up 18 overall.
“I think there’s a couple of colts in the draft that I’d say are my favourites – the So You Think (Lot 21) and the Deep Field (Lot 174). They’re a couple of good-quality colts that are really nicely bred.
“In terms of the fillies, I really like the Tavistock (Lot 155). She’s a beautiful horse to deal with and is really forward and goes well.
“There’s also a Derryn gelding out of Dutch Striker (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy) that I’ve got a bit of time for (Lot 100). He’s a real speedy little horse that might make a nice racehorse for someone without them having to spend a huge amount of money.”
