Malaysian buyers make impact at Ready to Run Sale

[Wandering Eyes]

Malaysian buyers made a resounding statement at the recent New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, securing an impressive 44 lots with a combined spend of $1.93 million. Held at Karaka, the sale featured a vibrant catalogue of two-year-olds, and Malaysia’s presence was felt across a wide spectrum of vendors and sires.

Out of 353 catalogued lots, 265 were sold—of which Malaysian buyers accounted for 12%, a significant footprint in one of the Southern Hemisphere’s premier juvenile auctions.

Leading the Malaysian charge was Mr Charles Leck, who acquired seven lots totalling $271,000, including the top-priced Malaysian purchase—Lot 356, a Time Test gelding out of Giggly, knocked down for $110,000. Selangor Turf Club followed closely with 11 purchases amounting to $257,000, reinforcing its commitment to sourcing quality bloodstock for domestic racing.

Other notable buyers included Mr HY Cheng ($190,000), Mr WC Lim ($175,000) and Simon Dunderdale / Pinhook Bloodstock International ($160,000 across four lots). The diversity of sires—from Circus Maximus and El Roca to Farnan and Ardrossan—reflects a strategic approach to building depth and variety in Malaysian stables.

Vendors such as Westbury Stud, Riversley Park, Kilgravin Lodge, and Waikato Stud featured prominently in the Malaysian acquisitions, underscoring the trust placed in New Zealand’s proven breeding and preparation systems.

The sale also marked a milestone for emerging Malaysian syndicates and private buyers, with new names like Phoenix, Eternity Racing, and India Horse Club making their presence felt. Their participation signals a growing appetite for international investment and a belief in the long-term potential of New Zealand-sourced racehorses.

As the Malaysian racing calendar looks ahead to 2026, these purchases are expected to inject fresh talent into the local scene, with several lots earmarked for debut campaigns in Malaysia. The Ready to Run Sale continues to serve as a vital pipeline for quality imports, and this year’s results reaffirm Malaysia’s status as a key player in the Asia-Pacific bloodstock market.

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