International Strength Returns on Day One

Day One of New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2022 Ready to Run Sale saw trade gather momentum throughout the day, with 139 juveniles going under the hammer at Karaka to finish on a high.

At the close of selling, the turnover reached $11,329,500, up by $1 million on 2021’s spend. The average reached $124,500, the median $80,000 and the clearance rate settled at 65%.

International presence was back at Karaka for the first time since 2020, providing tough competition for quality lots in the sale auditorium, with horses destined for Hong Kong also making up eight of the top 10 highest-priced lots.

Although the highlight of the day came from the domestic buying bench, with trainer Andrew Forsman purchasing Lot 166 for a $575,000 price tag. The colt by Champion sire Savabeel out of O’Reilly mare Maxmara (NZ) was secured from Ohukia Lodge’s draft. 

“He was a quality colt and I was determined to get him.”

“I wasn’t expecting to pay that much for him but given his pedigree, and the type he was, I thought it was good buying,” commented Forsman. 

Having had a highly successful Spring with Group-winning horses Mr Maestro (NZ), Aegon (NZ), She’s Licketysplit (NZ) and Mustang Valley (NZ), the leading trainer was purchasing for the first time at Karaka since embarking on his solo training career.

Jamie Beatson of Ohukia Lodge was elated by the result at the conclusion of selling.

“He is a stunning horse, we didn’t quite expect that much for him but we loved him as a yearling and he has developed more and more.”

“He breezed up nicely and is just a quality animal.”

The second highest-priced lot was purchased by Australian trainer Liam Howley, who was also purchasing at Karaka for the first time under his own banner.

Howley secured Lot 142, a colt by No Nay Never out of La Cicciolina (Bernardini) for $520,000 from Riverrock Farm.

“We came to the Sale to buy some nice colts of that sharper two-year-old style.

“We really liked this colt as a yearling and we let him go. But he came back to New Zealand, his Breeze Up was really good and they presented him in outstanding order.”

Chad Ormsby of Riverrock Farm, who pinhooked the two-year-old, was delighted by the top result.

“This colt was a standout for me when we purchased him as a yearling.”

“What really impressed me about the horse was his demeanour and the way he held himself on the grounds here. He thought it was all about him and put on a good show so we’re really rapt with the result.”

Other top purchases of the day were made by Hong Kong trainer Casper Fownes and agent Willie Leung, both securing colts for $500,000.

Fownes purchased Lot 19, a Turn Me Loose colt out of Fusaichi Pegasus mare Aypebe, while Leung bought Lot 81, an Exceed and Excel colt out of More Than Ready mare Epitomise with both lots offered by Riversley Park.

Selling on Day Two commences at 11AM (NZT) on Thursday 17 November, with sale broadcast coverage beginning from 10:45AM (NZT).

The sale will continue to be streamed live on Sky Pop Up Channel 263 and Freeview Channel 200 in New Zealand, plus the usual feed to NZB’s website and Facebook page. 

To make enquiries about any Passed Lots contact Kane Jones by calling +64 27 274 4985 or emailing [email protected] or Regan Donnison by calling +64 21 512 466 or emailing [email protected].

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

2022 Ready to Run Sale Day One Statistics

	2022 Ready to Run Sale - Day One	2021 Ready to Run Sale - Day One (Virtual)	2020 Ready to Run Sale - Day One
Aggregate	$11,329,500	$10,344,000	$7,615,500
Average	$124,500	$129,300	$92,872
Median	$80,000	$100,000	$51,250
Clearance	65%	65%	69%
Catalogued	170	160	160
Offered	139	124	119
Sold	91	80	82
Top Lot	Lot 166 $575,000 Savabeel - Maxmara (Br.C)	Lot 107 $640,000 Savabeel - Etiquette (Br.C)	Lot 54 $525,000 Sacred Falls - Savabeel Star (Br.C)