International and domestic buyers will later this month flock to Karaka where stallion variety is a feature of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale.
The November 21 and 22 auction will showcase the progeny of 110 sires with each offering unique value. It was only a short few years ago that many were recruited to the rosters of leading studs and now we are seeing their first crops come through the sale ring and hit the racetracks.
Earlier this year at the National Yearling Sales Series, several first season sires made big impressions and that trend is set to continue with their first crop of 2-year-olds on offer.
Following in his champion sire’s footsteps, Sacred Falls (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) has replicated his Group 1 success on the racetrack with leading results in the sale ring.
Sacred Falls, standing at Waikato Stud
Tops by aggregate
With 42 of his first crop yearlings sold at Book 1, buyers were attracted to quality products paying an average of NZ$121,500. Overall, Waikato Stud’s resident was the leading first season sire by aggregate at Karaka 2018.
Leading the way by average, it was Coolmore Stud’s young recruit Rubick (Encosta de Lago). His progeny sold in Book 1 for up to NZ$320,000 and bolstered his position as the overall leading first season sire by average at NZ$150,000. He has also sired two stakes performers in Australia.
Rubick has already sired two stakes performers in Australia
Newgate Farm’s Deep Field (Northern Meteor) was also to the fore when eight of his progeny sold in Book 1 at an average price of NZ$141,875 – the highest average by a first season sire in the top division of the Sale.
Charming stallion
With a hot sire line, Invincible Spirit’s (Green Desert {USA}) son Charm Spirit (IRE) proved just that at Karaka. His progeny sold for up to NZ$400,000 in Book 1 and he was the leading first season sire in Book 2 with seven of his yearlings selling at average price of NZ$42,857. He has also sired two stakes performers in the Northern Hemisphere.
Charm Spirit
These four sires have proven popular and their progeny can be expected to be in demand again. Sacred Falls will have nine 2-year-olds including Lot 435 who is a three-quarter brother to Hong Kong Derby Trial winner Unique Jewellery (NZ) and Lot 436, who is a sister to dual Group 1 winner Maco’reilly (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ})..
Rubick will have five sons catalogued, including Lot 21 who is a half-brother to Group 2 winning Hong Kong sprinter Beat the Clock (Hinchinbrook)and Lot 371, who is out of a half-sister to Victorian Group 3 performer Spirited Eagle (Not A Single Doubt).
Deep Field will have eight lots on offer at the Sale including Lot 215 who is half-brother to Group winner Valpolicella (NZ) (Red Ransom {USA}) and Lot 340 who is a half-brother to G1 VRC Oaks and Vinery Stud Stakes winner Faint Perfume (Shamardal {USA}).
Watch: Lot 340 breeze up
Buyers will have the opportunity to secure seven 2-year-olds by Charm Spirit, including Lot 49 who is a half-brother to Group 3 winner Kingsguard (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {IRE}) and Lot 401 is the second foal out of Group 2 winner and Group 1 performer Chaparrone (NZ) (High Chaparral {IRE}).
While the sale ring has showcased some impressive early results for first season sires, the Ready to Run Sale will also feature a selection of second season sires with spring 3-year-olds earning early racing status.
Top freshman sire
Windsor Park Stud’s Shamexpress (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) was the leading first season sire in New Zealand in 2017-18 and he is again leading the second season sires’ table.
With 11 runners so far this season, three have stepped out to win including Cyber Attack (NZ) who scored his first black-type win in the Listed El Roca Trophy and joins two other stakes performers sired by Shamexpress.
The European-bred Dawn Approach (IRE) (New Approach {IRE}) follows closely in behind with two starters for one winner in Dawn Patrol (NZ), who is unbeaten from two starts. Having shuttled between Darley Stud’s Ireland and Australia stations, Dawn Approach is the sire of 15 stakes performers in both hemispheres.
Second season sires flying
Northern Meteor’s son Zoustar topped the leading first season sires’ table in Australia in 2017-18 and is again making a clear lead this season.
From 43 runners he has sired 15 winners including this weekend's Coolmore Stud S. hopes: dual Group 3 winner Sunlight and G2 Run to the Rose victor Lean Mean Machine, as well as his most recent Group winner Charge.
Watch: Lot 372 Zoustar x Baroness Gabriella breeze up
Dundeel (NZ) (High Chaparral {IRE}) and Spirit Of Boom (Sequalo) have featured among the leading second season sires’ table in both New Zealand and Australia.
This season Dundeel sired Lincoln Falls (NZ) to win on debut in New Zealand, while Spirit Of Boom is the sire of Spirits Aubeer, who has won his last two starts.
In Australia, Dundeel has produced eight winners from 22 runners so far this season including Dealmaker, who was runner up in the G2 Stan Fox Stakes. Spirit Of Boom has sired 10 winners from 39 individual starters, including Champagne Boom who won impressively on debut in the Listed Debutant Stakes.
These five leading second season sires will each have representation at the Ready to Run Sale. Shamexpress will have 16 2-year-olds including Lot 80, who is out of a half-sister to Group 1 winner The Party Stand (NZ) (Thorn Park) and Lot 324, who is out of a sister to Group 2 winner Te Akau Rose (NZ) (Thorn Park).
Watch: Lot 324 Shamexpress x Waltz In The Park breeze up
The right Approach
Dawn Approach will have five lots on offer including Lot 120, who is out of half-sister to Group 1 winner Velocitea (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}) and Lot 126 who is out of a winning Darci Brahma (NZ) mare and half-sister to the stakes-winning Zabeel (NZ) filly Heat Haze (NZ).
Dundeel will be represented at the Sale by three horses with Lot 115, a colt from the family of American Champion 3-year-old Afleet Alex (USA) (Northern Afleet {USA}); Lot 378, a direct descendant from New Zealand Filly of the Year Tri Belle (NZ) (Sir Tristram {IRE}) and Lot 430, a colt out of a half-sister to stakes winner Cathay Lady (Exceed And Excel).
Zoustar will have a colt who is out of a half-sister to four-time Group 1 winner Volkstok’n’barrell (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) (Lot 372) while Spirit Of Boom will also have a colt who is a half-brother to four winners in Australia (Lot 157).
