Records Smashed at 2023 Ready to Run Sale

Lot 376, a slick colt by Star Turn was the sale-topper at $825,000 Photo: Trish Dunell

Unprecedented results were witnessed across two days of selling at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2023 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the status of the world’s best sale of its kind and the confidence in New Zealand raised and educated two-year-olds.  

The momentum increased off the back of Day One’s incredible results, which saw the total aggregate increase by 39% to over $35.1m and no less than 12 lots sell for $500,000 or more. 

Another record top price was recorded at $825,000 while the average also increased 21% on last year’s Sale to $156,031, a sum which exceeded that of the Book One total for Karaka 2023. 

Hong Kong-based buyers were responsible for over $16.7 million in spend across 70 lots, with Australian buyers also strong, securing 60 lots for a total of $8 million in receipts. Domestic buyers made themselves known with $5.5 million spent across the two days while other prominent markets included Malaysia, United Kingdom, Korea, Singapore and China.  

NZB’s Managing Director Andrew Seabrook was elated with the results. 

“I’m gobsmacked, these results are just unheard of.” 

“So thrilled for the vendors and very proud of our team at NZB who have been building relationships with some of these buyers over several years.” 

“I’ve never seen so many Hong Kong trainers here, and great they had their owners here which made a huge difference.” 

“A great way to finish today and no doubt it will give everyone confidence going into the yearling sales.” 

Eclipsing Day One’s record-breaking top priced lot was Lot 376, a Star Turn colt out of Commonwealth who was purchased by Hong Kong-based Mr Pato Leung for $825,000.  

“We’re ecstatic, I can’t believe it, it’s great for the team and the work they’ve put in,” commented an emotional Kit Brooks of KB Bloodstock.  

“I knew he was a nice horse, but you couldn’t dream of that sort of result. 

“We will celebrate tonight, but the work starts all over again tomorrow,” Brooks added. 

Riversley Park secured the leading vendor by aggregate title for the seventh consecutive year, selling 26 lots for $5.3 million.  

A shocked Sam Beatson commented on their results.  

“I wasn’t keeping track of the stats, but seeing some of the exceptional results go through the last two days, we weren’t expecting to come out on top.” 

“It’s not a competition, we all do the same thing and support one another,” he stated.  

“It’s good we can get these results, so we can all go again at the yearling sales.”  

Jamie and Chanel Beatson of Ohukia Lodge followed closely behind, selling 22 lots for a total of $5.1 million, while averaging $233,318.  

Eion and Megan Kemp of Kilgravin Lodge claimed the leading vendor by average title, after 16 two-year-olds were sold for an average of $300,781, including Day One’s record-breaking sale of Lot 143 for $800,000.  

View the 2023 Ready to Run Sale results here.

To make enquiries about any Passed Lots contact Patrick Cunningham by calling +64 27 274 4985 or email Patrick.Cunningham@nzb.co.nz or Andrew Buick by calling +64 27 555 0640 or emailing Andrew.Buick@nzb.co.nz. 

Catch all of the Ready to Run Sale highlights on NZB’s Sale TV channel here

Attention now turns to Karaka 2024, with the online catalogue being released early next week. 

2023 Ready to Run Sale Statistics (at end of selling)
 2023 READY TO RUN SALE2022 READY TO RUN SALE2021 READY TO RUN SALE (VIRTUAL)2020 READY TO RUN SALE
Aggregate$35,107,000$25,186,000$20,547,000$17,639,500
Average$156,031$129,159$121,580$95,349
Median$90,000$80,000$80,000$60,000
Clearance73%76%66%77%
Catalogued383329322311
Offered308257256240
Sold225195169185
Top LotLot 376 $825,000 Star Turn – Commonwealth (B.C)Lot 258 $625,000 Capitalist – Sebrina (Ch.C)Lot 107 $640,000 Savabeel – Etiquette (Br.C)Lot 298 $700,000 (B.C) Savabeel – Miss Opulence
2023 Ready to Run Sale – Top Lots Day Two
LOTSIREDAMSEXVENDORPURCHASERPRICE
376Star TurnCommonwealthColtKB BloodstockMr. Pato Leung (Hong Kong) $         825,000
289All Too HardTuscany LadyGeldingRiversley ParkMr KM Yeung (Hong Kong) $         800,000
381Deep FieldCriquetteColtOhukia LodgeMagnolia Bloodstock (Hong Kong) $         750,000
298Super SethVitesseFillyKilgravin LodgeLaming Racing / John White Bloodstock (Queensland) $         700,000
203ZoustarReconstructColtRiversley ParkEquine Investments & Bevan Smith Bloodstock (Hong Kong) $         500,000
304HellbentWe Have Lift OffColtOhukia LodgeAP Chan (Hong Kong) $         450,000
333CapitalistArrowetteColtKilgravin LodgeShailer Racing Pty Ltd / Hughes Bloodstock (Queensland) $         450,000
341Exceed and ExcelBarbadineGeldingCheltenham StablesJamie Richards Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock (Hong Kong) $         450,000
198ArdrossanQueen of PopGeldingPertab RacingMr Me Tsui (Hong Kong) $         440,000
251JustifySpecial MemoriesFillyCheltenham StablesFlag Bloodstock (Auckland) $         425,000
358Shamus AwardCaesour’s PromiseGeldingWoburn FarmMr. Pierre Ng (Hong Kong) $         425,000
360Russian RevolutionCalvadosColtRiversley ParkBoomer Bloodstock (Hong Kong) $         425,000
2023 Ready to Run Sale – Top Lots Overall
LOTSIREDAMSEXVENDORPURCHASERPRICE
376Star TurnCommonwealthColtKB BloodstockMr. Pato Leung (Hong Kong) $         825,000
143Harry AngelMonrecourColtKilgravin LodgeTartan Meadow Bloodstock / Andrew Williams Bloodstock (Hong Kong) $         800,000
289All Too HardTuscany LadyGeldingRiversley ParkMr KM Yeung (Hong Kong) $         800,000
381Deep FieldCriquetteColtOhukia LodgeMagnolia Bloodstock (Hong Kong) $         750,000
45Written TycoonFromparis WithloveColtKilgravin LodgeBlandford Bloodstock / Andrew Williams Bloodstock (UK) $         725,000
298Super SethVitesseFillyKilgravin LodgeLaming Racing / John White Bloodstock (Queensland) $         700,000
107I Am InvincibleLope de LopeColtOhukia LodgeN & P Balia Family Trust (Auckland) $         580,000
114CapitalistMadame VeuveColtOhukia LodgeMr. Wing Keung So (Hong Kong) $         550,000
116ContributerMadonna MiaColtWoburn FarmLaming Racing / John White Bloodstock (Queensland) $         550,000
175Super SethPerfect FitFillyLilywhites LodgeShailer Racing Pty Ltd / Hughes Bloodstock (Queensland) $         525,000
106ZoustarLombardiaColtPhoenix ParkWaikato Bloodstock (Waikato) $         500,000
203ZoustarReconstructColtRiversley ParkEquine Investments & Bevan Smith Bloodstock (Hong Kong) $         500,000
2023 Ready to Run Sale – Leading Purchasers
PURCHASERAGGREGATEBOUGHTTOP PRICETOP LOT
Mr KM Yeung (Hong Kong)$2,465,00012$800,000289
Laming Racing / John White Bloodstock (Queensland)$1,485,0004$700,000298
Jamie Richards Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock (Hong Kong)$1,250,0003$450,000341
Shailer Racing Pty Ltd / Hughes Bloodstock (Queensland)$1,235,0004$525,000175
Mr. Pierre Ng (Hong Kong)$1,025,0003$425,000358
Blandford Bloodstock / Andrew Williams Bloodstock (UK)$935,0002$725,00045
HY Investments (Auckland)$910,00010$400,0001
Mr. Pato Leung (Hong Kong)$825,0001$825,000376
Tartan Meadow Bloodstock / Andrew Williams Bloodstock (Hong Kong)$800,0001$800,000143
Magnolia Bloodstock (Hong Kong)$750,0001$750,000381 
2023 Ready to Run Sale – Leading Vendors by Aggregate
VENDORLOTS SOLDAGGREGATETOP PRICETOP LOT
Riversley Park26$5,335,000$800,000289
Ohukia Lodge22$5,133,000$750,000381
Kilgravin Lodge16$4,812,500$800,000143
Westbury Stud33$2,269,000$400,0001
Pertab Racing14$2,240,000$440,000198
Woburn Farm11$1,935,000$550,000116
KB Bloodstock7$1,785,000$825,000376
Cheltenham Stables9$1,727,500$450,000341
Riverrock Farm14$1,575,000$250,000158
Lilywhites Lodge15$1,455,000$525,000175
2023 Ready to Run Sale – Leading Vendors by Average (three or more sold)
VENDORLOTS SOLDAVERAGETOP PRICETOP LOT
Kilgravin Lodge16$300,781$800,000143
KB Bloodstock7$255,000$825,000376
Ohukia Lodge22$233,318$750,000381
Riversley Park26$205,192$800,000289
Phoenix Park3$200,000$500,000106
Cheltenham Stables9$191,944$450,000341
Woburn Farm11$175,909$550,000116
Regal Farm4$170,000$380,000118
Pertab Racing14$160,000$440,000198
Kiltannon Stables10$137,000$400,00080
2023 Ready to Run Sale – Leading Sires by Average (three or more sold)
SIRELOTS SOLDAVERAGETOP PRICETOP LOT
Zoustar3$466,667$500,000203
Capitalist3$355,000$550,000114
Hellbent3$341,667$450,000304
Justify4$306,250$425,000251
Savabeel3$300,000$400,00080
Ardrossan3$288,333$440,000198
Deep Field7$287,857$750,000381
Super Seth8$286,875$700,000298
Proisir7$185,714$380,000254
U S Navy Flag3$166,667$180,000257