Before They Were Stars

Sponsored Content - by Tara Madgwick - Wednesday October 30

Spring racing in Australia is in full swing and while many people are studying video with a view to backing winners, others are spending just as much time assessing breeze up footage with a view to finding the next champions to emerge from the NZB Ready to Run Sale, so what does a champion look like?

The NZB Ready to Run Sale has stood the test of time as a source of truly elite performers, so we’re taking a look back at how the flagship stars from this sale in recent times presented as gangly babies taking their first steps towards fame and fortune.

It is worthwhile noting that the average time at the Breeze Ups for these Group One-winning Ready to Run graduates was 10.97 seconds over the 200m gallop prior to their respective sales. Interestingly, the average times recorded this year were 10.69 and 10.72 on Day One and Day Two of the Breeze Ups respectively.

 

Ceolwulf (NZ) - Tavistock x Las Brisas (GB) - image Steve Hart

Let’s start with Ceolwulf (NZ), the emerging star of Australian racing, who swept through the Group I ATC Epsom Handicap and on to the $5million Group I ATC King Charles Stakes when he downed a star studded field for trainer Joe Pride, who purchased the son of Tavistock for $170,000 in 2022 from the Riversley Park draft.

Ceolwulf breezed in 10.77 seconds.

 

Antino (NZ) - Redwood (GB) x Mahamaya - image Grant Courtney

Another newly minted Group I winner from the sale is dashing Redwood (GB) gelding Antino (NZ), who scored a dominant six and a half length win in the Group I MRC Toorak Handicap for the Tony Gollan stable. He was purchased for a modest $27,000 from the draft of Cheltenham stables.

Antino breezed in 11.16 seconds.

 

Warmonger (NZ) - War Decree (USA) x Princess Sapphire - image Grant Courtney

Another commanding Group I winner in Australia last season was Group I Queensland Derby hero Warmonger (NZ), who won his classic by an astonishing 10 lengths for the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr stable. He was purchased for $165,000 from the Prima Park draft.

He breezed in 11.40 seconds.

 

Mr Brightside (NZ) - Bullbars x Lillahjay - image Grant Courtney

One of the stalwarts of Australian WFA racing, magnificent Mr Brightside (NZ) has won a whopping $14.5million during his star studded career under the  guidance of the Hayes brothers at Lindsay Park. He was presented at the 2019 Ready to Run Sale by Phoenix Park and passed in shy of a modest $50,000 reserve before later being sold privately to Australia.

He breezed in 10.91 seconds.

 

Golden Sixty - Medaglia D'Oro (USA) x Gaudeamus (USA)- HKJC

Retired from racing earlier this year, Golden Sixty was the world’s best miler and a three-time HK Horse of the Year and his path to greatness started at the 2017 Ready to Run Sale when he made $300,000 for Riversley Park.

He breezed in 10.48 seconds.

 

Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) - Sweynesse x Madonna Mia - HKJC

 

Another HK superstar is Lucky Sweynesse, who won the Group I Hong Kong International Sprint last year and has won 16 of 24 starts. He was a $90,000 purchase from the Woburn Farm draft in 2020.

 

 

He breezed in 11.14 seconds.

Click here to see this year’s catalogue featuring the next generation of superstars.

 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Sunday November 3
Here is the full list of 59 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Best On Breeding - Melbourne Cup
Few Australians would have heard of Sea King (GB) before his impressive win in the Group III Bendigo Cup, but the son of Sea The Stars has a pedigree linked to a part of Melbourne Cup history.
Major Boost by Selangor Turf Club Prior to Ready to Run Sale
Malaysia continues to emerge as a leading racing jurisdiction, with many participants making the move to the growing region following the closure of Singapore and Macau.
Strong Trade Continues at Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale
Strong trade continued on the fourth day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale with an interesting horse set to join the Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald stable as turnover has already soared to be the second highest in the sale’s history with the fifth and final session still to come. 
Stakes Potential for El Roca Gelding
Rising star Richard Stomper may have earned himself a shot at the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) during New Zealand Cup Week after claiming another impressive victory at Ashburton on Sunday.
Will it be a fairytale finish for Tasmanian-bred mare The Map?
Fresh from sweeping the sire awards at the 2024 Tasmanian Racing Awards this season, the Armidale Stud team is in line for another significant achievement with The Map (Alpine Eagle x This Moment) flying the flag for resident stallion Alpine Eagle in the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup on Tuesday 5 November.
Melbourne Cup Tips – Tara Talks Racing
Tara Talks Racing is now online having had a Sunday arvo drink or two as we go through the Cup horses, so what do Clocker and I like for this year’s Melbourne Cup?
Flightline and Cogburn Shares Highlight Inaugural Keeneland Championship Sale
Stallion shares in Horse of the Year and exciting young sire Flightline and also Widden Stud's new shuttle prospect Cogburn changed hands at the inaugural Keeneland Championship Sale.
Kiwi Mare Positivity Ready for Cup
Talented Kiwi mare Positivity will step out on the greatest stage for stayers at Flemington on Tuesday, when she contests the A$8 million Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).
More Aussie Purchases at Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale Day 3
Strong trade continued on the third day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale headed by the two-year-old LA BELLOTA at 425,000 guineas with eight lots realising 200,000 guineas or more and a clearance rate above 90%.