Two outstanding three year-old colts were making news in Australia on Saturday as much for their victories as their stallion potential for the future and their sires Dundeel and Zoustar are both represented at the 2023 NZB Ready to Run Sale, so we’ve gone through their entries looking for ‘nicks that click’.
Dundeel colt Militarize won both the Group I ATC Sires Produce Stakes and Champagne Stakes last season and racked up his third G1 victory for Newgate/ China Horse Club and partners in the Group I ATC Golden Rose.
He wasn’t the only star Dundeel colt in action at Rosehill either, with the Bon Ho owned Celestial Legend charging into second place in the Listed ATC Heritage Stakes at his third start and first run back from a spell.
Dundeel has two entries for the sale and both have been gelded.
Lot 87 from Kilgravin Lodge is the fourth foal of Group II winning Redoute’s Choice mare Kebede from Champion Chilan 2YO Filly Desert Flight, a daughter of influential sire Hussonet (USA). He is bred on the same cross as Dundeel’s Group I Caulfield Guineas winner Super Seth and is bred on similar lines to Celestial Legend, who is from a daughter of Snitzel.
Lot 145 from Westbury Stud is the third foal from More Graceful, a winning half-sister by More Than Ready (USA) to stakes-winner Jolie Blonde and grand-daughter of Group I winner Isolda. The Dundeel x More Than Ready nick has not had a lot of exposure, but has produced three winners from four runners headed by Group II VRC Sires Produce Stakes winner Let’srollthedice.
The colt that beat Celestial Legend in the Listed ATC Heritage Stakes was undefeated Zoustar colt Ozzmosis, who is now three for three and headed for bigger targets this spring.
Zoustar has three entries for the sale including Lot 190, a gelding from Riversley Park that is the second foal of Group III winning Magnus mare Princess of Queens, a full sister to Group III winner Prince of Brooklyn. Zoustar has had three winners from six runners from mares by Magnus and the best of them is his Group I winning $1.8million earner Mizzy.
Lot 106 from Phoenix Park is a colt (first foal) from Lombardia, a blueblood Sebring sibling to Group I winner Levendi and Group III winners Wu Gok and Marcel from Madrid. Zoustar has had eight winners from nine runners out of mares by Sebring and also worth noting the double cross of Redoute’s Choice in this pedigree. Zoustar has produced five stakes-winners from mares carrying Redoute’s Choice blood including his Group II winning mares Haut Brion Her and North Star Lass.
Lot 203 from Riversley Park is an interesting colt from Reconstruct (NZ), a modest winner by Swiss Ace, who has had three foals to race all winners by stallions that would be considered well below the standard of Zoustar. Reconstruct traces in tail female line to an Australian blue hen of the 1970’s in Hot Rhythm and while this branch of the family has been quiet in recent times, Zoustar might be the catalyst for a resurgence.
The 2023 edition of the Sale will take place at the Karaka Sales Centre from 11am (NZT) on 22 & 23 November with Breeze Ups to be held at Te Rapa Racecourse on 16 & 17 October. Click here for the full catalogue.
