Kilgravin Lodge has been a mainstay of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready To Run Sale in recent years and principal Eoin Kemp is excited to showcase another quality draft at Karaka this week.
Kemp will offer a 20-strong draft on Wednesday and Thursday and believes it is the best line-up of juveniles he has presented at the sale.
“I think it is our strongest draft we have had type-wise and it is the strongest line-up of stallions we have had,” he said.
“They are by stallions that suit all markets – from Australia right through to that Asia/Hong Kong market.”
Kemp said there has been a noticeable increase in foot traffic at Karaka for the early parades and he is hoping that translates into sales demand later in the week.
“Yesterday (Sunday) was a little bit busier than Sunday last year. I think Hong Kong will be very strong and we will see what number of Australians transpire to help out that middle market,” he said.
While buoyed by the impact Entain is having on New Zealand’s racing scene, Kemp said it may be too early to influence this year’s domestic buying bench.
“I think it will take six to 12 months for the Entain money to filter through into New Zealand racing and probably two years before New Zealand racing gets its owners back onboard and that money starts to filter through,” he said.
Kemp has been proud of Kilgravin Lodge’s ready to run sale graduates and said they showcase the care taken in their early development.
“I am proud of the consistency of our horses – they just go on and continue to perform,” he said.
“You still see them racing as four and five-year-olds and winning races and being consistent.
“I think the consistency shows the manner in which our horses come through the breeze-ups – they aren’t pushed too hard and they have got longevity about them.”
While pleased with his entire draft, Kemp is expecting plenty of interest in lot 298, the Super Seth half-sister to Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) winner and Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m) placegetter Kovalica.
“You can’t go past the half-sister to Kovalica. She is a lovely filly and Super Seth has definitely started off his stud career well,” he said.
“She breezed up beautifully, has got a great attitude, and I think she will be popular amongst people looking for a nice filly with a lot of residual value.”
Kemp is expecting another couple of his draft to feature at the top of the buying sheet at sales end.
“The Written Tycoon (lot 45) and Harry Angel (lot 143) will be popular with the Asian market,” he said.
The New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale is set to take place at their Karaka sales complex on November 22 and 23, with the sale kicking off at 11am each day.