As the crowds gather during Australia’s famous Spring Carnival this Saturday, all eyes will be on the New Zealand Bloodstock’s savvy Ready to Run Sale graduate Pungo (NZ) as he takes to the Flemington stage.
A son of champion racehorse-turned-sire So You Think (NZ), Pungo will be put to the test when challenging his first stakes race this weekend in only his third start, competing in the Group Three Carbine Club S. (1600m) for trainer Chris Waller and jockey James McDonald.
Since his $180,000 purchase by property mogul Kurt Gibbons just eleven months ago at NZB’s 2021 Ready to Run Sale, the talented three-year-old has formed an elite ownership group consisting of top athletes, an actor and some of the owners of Champion race mare Verry Elleegant (NZ).
Among them is international cricket star and keen racing enthusiast Brendon McCullum ONZM, who has a strong affiliation with Karaka and kiwi horses.
The ex-Black Cap, who will be on course at Flemington this weekend, commented on Pungo’s preparation heading into the Group Three race.
“It’s been awesome to watch him perform so far,” McCullum said.
“Obviously Chris has achieved this feat before, having taken the path already with a couple of horses winning the Carbine after their third start.
“He targeted this race a little while back and once we realised Pungo could gallop, we were very excited.”
“Clearing his maiden was impressive and that gave Chris the opportunity to press on with the plan, which he has done with other horses including Comin’ Through and Kermadec.”
McCullum is incredibly proud to fly the kiwi flag at an elite level over the Tasman.
“They seem to really like him and he has it all in front of him. He is kiwi bred, sold, trained, owned and ridden, so it doesn’t get much better than that and it’s nice to be able to take on the Aussie boys in their own races.”
“There is no better combination with Waller and McDonald and we had a bit of luck with the draw too.
“Whatever happens in this race, they seem to think he’s going to be a nice horse in the Autumn and we will definitely have some fun.”
Many have been left wondering how Pungo’s exclusive ownership group came together, which includes All Blacks Israel Dagg and Beauden Barrett, as well as actor Karl Urban and Jomara Bloodstock, to which McCullum responded.
“The ownership group have all neglected to mention they like golf, racing, beer, with a bit of rugby and cricket, hence why we all own the horse together.”
“Kurt bought him from NZB’s Ready to Run Sale last year and he is mates with a lot of the boys in the group.
“He basically said ‘lads I’ve bought this horse you’re all in’ and we took out some percentages.
“It’s great to have a whole lot of like-minded people together to race the horse. It is a cool group of people with some lucky owners so far.”
A strong supporter of NZB, McCullum has already achieved stakes level success after purchasing two-year-olds from the Ready to Run Sale.
“I’ve actually had a lot of luck out of the Ready to Run Sale having purchased Volks Lightning who won at Group Three level, as well as Countofmontecristo, who went on to be a success in Singapore.”
“NZB’s Ready to Run Sale is incomparable to anything else given the success that comes out of it.
“For a novice like myself, purchasing two-year-olds can tend to take out the risk as you can see what their potential racing ability is like,” he said.
Pungo was prepared and offered by premier New Zealand polo player Kit Brooks, who recalls his time spent with the horse.
“It’s very exciting to have a horse like him come from your draft. We were pretty happy to breeze him up and get him sold last year.”
“The ownership group includes a few ex-All Blacks and Black Caps and I’m sure it’s pretty exciting for those guys too.
“It’s always a thrill to have a horse you’ve prepared in Chris Waller’s stable and they seem to rate him,” he said.
Operating under his KB Bloodstock banner, the expert horseman will offer 17 two-year-olds at the 2022 Ready to Run Sale.
His draft features a strong lineup of proven, emerging and first-season sires with the likes of Almanzor, Ardrossan, Embellish, No Nay Never, Tivaci, Vadamos and Zoustar all represented.
Pungo will race at 2.20 PM (NZT) on Saturday 29 October in the Group Three Network 10 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m).
This year’s Ready to Run Sale will see over 320 two-year-olds go under the hammer on 16 and 17 November at the Karaka Sales Centre.
NZB and New Zealand-based agents will also be available to complete inspections and provide evaluations at the upcoming Ready to Run Sale on-farm parades. View the full parade schedule here.
For enquiries or sale information, contact Bloodstock Executive Kane Jones (Kane.Jones@nzb.co.nz or +64 27 274 4985) or Sales Representative Regan Donnison (Regan.Donnison@nzb.co.nz or +64 21 512 466).
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