BMD Bloodstock will present its biggest-ever consignment at the 2026 NZB Ready to Run Sale, with Barry Donoghue preparing to offer 17 or 18 horses at Karaka next month after three years of steady growth in the sale ring.
The operation will make its fourth appearance at the sale, having progressed from selling 11 horses for $1.19 million in 2023 to achieving $2.845 million from 15 horses last year. BMD Bloodstock has ranked among the top six vendors by aggregate and average over the past two years.
Donoghue, a former successful jumps jockey, also established his reputation as a breeder through Globe, the New Zealand-bred son of Charm Spirit. Sold by Cambria Park for $22,000 at Karaka in 2020, Globe has won six races and earned more than $1.2 million, including last year’s Group One Might And Power Stakes over 2000 metres at Caulfield.
BMD Bloodstock Sale Results Reflect Steady Progress
BMD Bloodstock made an encouraging start at the 2023 Ready to Run Sale, selling all 11 horses in its draft for $1.19 million at an average of $108,181. The highest-priced horse fetched $290,000.
The operation strengthened its results in 2024, when 10 horses generated $2.12 million at an average of $212,000, with the leading lot selling for $625,000. Last year, 15 horses sold for $2.845 million at an average of $189,667, while the top price reached $700,000.
Several graduates have since recorded success on the track. Kosta, a son of War Decree, has won three races, while Chisora, by Belardo, was sold to Hong Kong after winning his maiden at New Plymouth on New Year’s Eve in 2024. Renamed Nezha, the gelding subsequently recorded a win in Hong Kong.
Another graduate, Mindgames, by Maurice, has recorded two wins and a placing from three starts. He is scheduled to contest Saturday’s A$2 million Group One Spring Champion Stakes over 2000 metres in Sydney for O’Shea & Charlton Racing in the colours of OTI Racing.
Donoghue said he was pleased with the operation’s progress and believed the upcoming consignment offered a strong mix of horses and bloodlines. The draft would include horses purchased through the operation’s own pinhooking activities, alongside horses acquired with the support of new investors.
He said the quality of the horses would ultimately determine how the draft performed at Karaka, adding that he was particularly pleased with the variety of stallions represented.
Ghaiyyath Colt Among Leading Ready to Run Prospects
The Ghaiyyath colt, catalogued as Lot 139, will be among the notable prospects in the BMD Bloodstock consignment. Purchased for A$70,000 as a yearling in Australia, the colt will arrive at Karaka with a strong pedigree.
He is out of All Enfield, a daughter of Red Ransom who is a full-sister to Group One winner All American and a half-sister to multiple Group Two winner and Group One-placed More Strawberries, by More Than Ready. All Enfield has already produced four winners from five foals to race.
The wider draft will include progeny of State of Rest, King of Comedy, Bivouac, Proisir, Contributer, Santos, Tagaloa, All Too Hard, Savabeel, Alabama Express, Anders, Cool Aza Beel, Pride of Dubai, Strasbourg and Shocking.
Donoghue’s confidence in the consignment was reinforced by the recent breeze-ups at Te Rapa, where the horses recorded times between 10.4 and 11.2 seconds. He said he was pleased with their performances and the way they handled themselves during the sessions.
Riccarton Qualifier Offers Another Route to the Jericho Cup
New Zealand stayers will have another opportunity to qualify for the A$300,000 Jericho Cup when the NZB Airfreight Road to Jericho takes place at Riccarton on Saturday.
The $50,000 race will cover 3000 metres, with the winner receiving a guaranteed start in the 4600-metre Jericho Cup at Warrnambool on November 29. NZB Airfreight will also provide a $5,000 equine airfreight credit if the qualifying winner travels across the Tasman to contest the race.
The Jericho Cup is restricted to horses bred in Australia or New Zealand. The first of the two annual New Zealand qualifying races was held at New Plymouth on September 5 and was won by In A Pickle, a son of Preferment trained by Cambridge-based Ralph Manning.
Established in 2018, the Jericho Cup commemorates the involvement of light horse units in the First World War. New Zealand-bred horses have won six of the first eight editions, including Farag, who secured consecutive victories in 2024 and 2025.
Saturday’s qualifier will also provide a preparation opportunity for stayers targeting the $450,000 Group Three Martin Collins 163rd New Zealand Cup, scheduled for Riccarton on November 14. The NZB Airfreight Road to Jericho will be run as Race 2, with a scheduled start time of 12.19pm.
BMD Bloodstock will take its largest-ever draft to the 2026 NZB Ready to Run Sale, with 17 or 18 horses set to be offered at Karaka. A Ghaiyyath colt will be among the leading prospects as Barry Donoghue looks to build on three years of progress in the sale ring.
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