Year: 2021

Momentum continued on the final day of New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2021 Ready to Run Sale off the back of a positive first day, with a strong market demanding quality juveniles that fetched significant price tags. NZB’s Managing Director Andrew Seabrook was jubilant over the efforts of the auction house, consignors and agents. “This is a culmination of a huge effort from all industry participants.” “The consignors provided an exceptional level of service this year, not only with the standard of preparation but also the quality of their marketing via social…

An inside barrier draw has convinced John O’Shea to put Kirwan’s Lane (NZ) (Charm Spirit) on the float to Kembla Grange. The appearance of Kirwin’s Lane at the meeting was contingent on him drawing a good gate and after landing barrier two in the field of 16 for Saturday’s Abax Contracting Handicap (1600m), O’Shea has confirmed the gelding will take his place. The five-year-old has continued to improve with age and racing and again looks to have come back in good order judging by his luckless first-up sixth to Al…

A son of the late Sacred Falls will be chasing the lucrative prizemoney on offer in Sydney following his sale to Australian interests on the closing day of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale on Thursday afternoon. The colt drew an opening bid of $200,000 and fierce competition followed before he was knocked down for $600,000 to the New South Wales pairing of Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker and Group 1 Bloodstock. Presented as Lot 218, the youngster boasts a deep and successful pedigree and had breezed up well…

Hong Kong trainer Ricky Yiu and New Zealand-based bloodstock agent Dean Hawthorne have teamed up once again to secure a couple of colts at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale at Te Rapa this week. On Wednesday, the opening day of the sale, the pair went to $320,000 to secure lot 103, the Capitalist colt out of Kilgravin Lodge’s draft, while a day later they went to $400,000 to purchase lot 238, the Deep Field colt out of Riversley Park’s draft. Hong Kong trainer Ricky Yiu. Photo: HKJC Hawthorne…

Bright Blue Sky (Fastnet Rock) is giving off Avantage (Fastnet Rock)-type vibes to champion jockey Opie Bosson, who will ride the filly at 54.5kg on Saturday, the first time he’s ridden that light since guiding Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) to victory in last year’s Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie. “I really like this filly so hopefully getting down to that weight will be worth it,” Bosson said. “She reminds me of Avantage – and she’s fast. I’ve ridden her in a few gallops and a trial now. The first…

Prominent Australian owner Ozzie Kheir is hoping he has landed another Group One star after he shelled out $640,000 for what his judges deemed the best colt at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale. Group 1 Bloodstock’s Mathew Becker identified lot 195, the Pierro colt out of Group Three performer Mary Lou, as his pick of the sale and after submitting his finding to Kheir, the Australian property magnate was eager to acquire him from the draft of Riversley Park. “We thought he was the best colt in the…

Cambridge trainer Ben Foote is hoping he can get his hands on some silverware at Te Rapa on Saturday where he will have two stakes contenders. Exciting mare Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard) will be looking to add another stakes scalp to her record when she contests the Listed Haunui Farm Counties Bowl (1100m) after already posting wins in the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and Listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m) in her last two starts. She was first up in the Pegasus Stakes at Riccarton earlier this month and Foote…