Major Boost by Selangor Turf Club Prior to Ready to Run Sale

[Wandering Eyes]

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.

New Zealand Bloodstock has had a long-standing relationship with the major racing club in Malaysia, Selangor Turf Club (STC), and have worked closely with them again prior to the leading sale of two-year-olds, NZB’s Ready to Run Sale.

As a result, STC have since announced another raft of bonus races for graduates of NZB’s Ready to Run Sale as well as incentives for their trainers to purchase at the leading sale of its kind.

The added initiatives come just one year after the first running of NZB’s graduate races where Duma (NZ) (Too Darn Hot) made a stylish winning debut in the RM50,000 NZB Ready to Run Sale Trophy (1200m) just last month, and superstar Antipodean (NZ) (Derryn) won the RM100,000 NZB  3-Year-Old Trophy (1400m) back in July.

Selangor Turf Club’s additional incentives announced for the 2024 Ready to Run Sale:

• A RM300,000 Open Championship for all graduates of NZB’s Ready to Run sales
• A RM150,000 race for graduates of the 2024 edition of NZB’s Ready to Run Sale
• Two RM70,000 Maiden races for NZB 2024 Ready to Run Sale graduates
• Two RM70,000 Novice races for NZB 2024 Ready to Run Sale graduates
• Plus, RM10,000 freight subsidy per horse purchased at the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale

“We are happy that the Club has maintained a strong affiliation with NZB,” commented Selangor Turf Club Chairman, Tan Sri Datuk Richard Cham Hak Lim.

“New Zealand horses have been performing very well and winning many races at the Club.

“Each purchase has proven to offer good value for money. We hope to purchase more horses this year at the Sales during our yearly tour to Karaka.”

NZB’s Director of Business Development Mike Kneebone has been working closely with Selangor Turf Club.

“The new race series and sponsorships are a continuation of our support for Selangor, who we have been working with for more than 30 years.”

“The STC have become vital participants in the success of our Ready to Run Sale and have been rewarded with outstanding graduates and results like current champion Antipodean.”

“We look forward to hosting the biggest number of clients from Malaysia yet at the 2024 Sale. I am very proud of the work our team at NZB, NZTM and NZTE to give our vendors the best opportunity to sell their horses.”

“The work by Chairman Tan Sri Richard, CEO Mike Fong and the committee to promote the sport in Malaysia is incredible. They are a very progressive and forward-thinking Club, and what a credit to thoroughbred racing globally they have become.”

CEO of Selangor Turf Club, Dato Michael Fong believes the announcements to be a positive one for the emerging jurisdiction.

“We hope the incentives and special races lined up for New Zealand horses would attract our trainers and owners to invest in bigger scale, to procure new horses at the upcoming NZB Ready to Run Sale.”

“With the Club looking into hosting weekly racing and increasing prize money in 2025, it would certainly benefit the owners with bigger returns.”

NZB’s subsidiary business NZB Airfreight has also been key to ensuring the transport of these purchases into Malaysia each year, which has historically been a difficult route logistically.

And as a further incentive to Malaysian buyers, Selangor Turf Club is able to offer RM10,000 airfreight subsidies per horse purchased at the 2024 Ready to Run Sale to ensure their buyers have access to the world’s best two-year-old sale.

The 2024 edition of the Sale will take place at the Karaka Sales Centre on 20 and 21 November from 11am (NZT).

For international enquiries, contact Mike Kneebone on +61 439 568 881 or email mike.kneebone@nzb.co.nz

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